Report | Swansea City Ladies 1 Cardiff Met 0

Swansea City Ladies completed the double over current Welsh Premier Women’s League champions Cardiff Met with a 1-0 victory in Llandarcy on Sunday.

Lauren Smith proved the difference in a closely-fought encounter, with the American’s 19th-minute strike maintaining Swansea’s perfect record this season as they completed a first-ever league double over Met.

The result means Swansea stretch the gap between themselves and third-placed Met to nine points, while second-placed Cardiff City remain three points behind.

The Swans broke the deadlock in what was an evenly contested 20 minutes through Smith, who found the back of the net with a low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Moments before the half-time whistle was blown, Katy Hosford found Emma Beynon with a dangerous cross at the back post, however, she was unable to keep her volley down.

Ian Owen’s side looked the most threatening of the two sides going forward with Met not being able to register a single shot on goal in the first half.

In the second half the visitors’ defence held firm, but they were being pinned back in their own half for the majority of the play.

Stacey John-Davis was inches away from getting a goal that what would have settled the nerves but she couldn’t get on the end of a fast ball into the area from Hosford.

Another chance went the way of John-Davis after Ria Hughes fed the striker through but she was unable to keep her shot down.

The lead was nearly doubled in the closing stages of the match after Met’s Lucia Carpanini saw her wayward clearance hit the crossbar in an attempt to clear Smith’s low cross.

Despite Met pushing for a late equaliser to salvage a point the Swansea defence held firm to secure victory.

Swansea will seek to continue their fine form next Sunday as they make the short trip to face Briton Ferry Llansawel (2pm).

Swansea City Ladies: Deanna Lewis, Ellie Lake, Alicia Powe, Shaunna Jenkins, Ria Hughes, Tija Richardson, Sarah Adams, Emma Beynon (Kelly Adams, 90), Lauren Smith, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis (Chloe Chivers, 87).

Subs not used: Kate Searle, Cerys Bevan, Nieve Jenkins.

Cardiff Metropolitan: Estelle Randall, Lucia Carpanini, Lucy Finch, Ffion Llwelyn, Stephanie Turner, Sophie Hancocks, Alexis Rienks, Lauren Townsend, Robyn Pinder, Madison Schupbach (Amy Long, 80), Erin Murray (Jodie Passmore, 56).

Subs not used: Charlotte Smith, Aimee Dagnall, Grace Corne.