Report | Swansea City Women 3 The New Saints Women 0

Swansea City Women kicked off 2026 with a convincing 3-0 victory over The New Saints at the M&P Group 3G.

First-half goals from Aimee Deacon and Chloe Chivers, followed by a second-half finish from Ellie Lake, secured a second consecutive league win and all but confirmed a top-four place for the Swans ahead of the phase two split.

The opening 25 minutes were evenly contested, with the visitors applying early pressure, but the Swans weathered the storm before striking twice in quick succession just before the break.

Lake’s early second-half goal effectively ended the contest, and Swansea went on to create a number of further chances as they controlled proceedings throughout the remainder of the match.

Swansea started positively, with the opening effort falling to John, who attempted to curl a shot from the left side of the box which rose over the bar.

While the Swans had to remain alert with TNS looking to test the defence between the lines, they dealt well with the danger before Chivers carved out the first effort on target, her low strike from just outside the area was turned around the post by Mackenzie Haydn-Jones.

As the half progressed, it was the home side who began to create the clearer chances. A free kick from the halfway line, delivered by Jess Williams, was met by Maddy Murray, but she was unable to generate enough power on her effort to trouble Haydn-Jones, who gathered comfortably.

The Swans then found a deserved opener from the spot with 10 minutes remaining in the half, as Deacon was brought down in the area by Maria Francis-Jones. The forward stepped up to take the penalty and sent Haydn-Jones the wrong way to net her 12th goal of the season.

Continuing a familiar pattern this campaign, the Swans showed no signs of easing off and doubled their advantage just minutes later. Sammy Wynne played Chivers through on goal and, after her initial effort was saved by Haydn-Jones, the midfielder reacted quickest to turn home the rebound.

As the second half began, it took just eight minutes for the Swans to add a third. Lake delivered a ball into the area towards Deacon, who was unable to get a touch but did enough to wrong-foot Haydn-Jones as the ball found its way into the net.

The momentum continued to lie with the Swans, with the hosts beating the high press to work the ball into another dangerous area, although the resulting effort was parried away by Haydn-Jones.

The visitors did create an opening with 25 minutes remaining when a good run down the right-hand side from Caitlin Chapman picked out Chantelle Teare, but the forward could not generate enough power to trouble Amelia Forkings in the Swansea goal.

Minutes later, Chivers went close to adding her second of the night as the ball fell kindly to her inside the area, but her powerful strike was well saved by Haydn-Jones, who got down smartly to parry the effort away.

As the final 15 minutes approached, it continued to be one-way traffic for the hosts, who remained a threat from set-pieces. Another excellent delivery from skipper Williams was met by Deacon, but the forward could not keep her header down, sending it over the bar.

But it didn’t matter in the final analysis as the Swans claimed all three points.

Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lucy Finch, Maddy Murray, Steph Turner (Eilish Mitchell 81’), Maisie Miller (Emily Thomas 57’), Sammy Wynne (Emily Richards 81’), Aimee Deacon, Chloe Chivers (Caitlin Williams 81’), Stacey John, Ellie Lake, Jessica Williams.

Substitutes not used: Lauren Davies, Caitlin Seaborne.  

The New Saints Women: Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Maria Francis-Jones, Mia Davies, Tiggy Webb, Kayleigh Baker (Yasmin Evans 78’), Grace Dunkerley, Kelsey Richardson (Olivia Buckland 79’), Chantelle Teare, Lexi Jones (Zara Gibbs 59’), Lia Lewis, Caitlin Chapman. 

Substitutes not used: Matilda Edge, Grace Thomas, Safia Paraiso.