Swansea City Ladies | Year in review

As the year draws to a close, we look back on how 2019 panned out for Swansea City Ladies.

Despite Ian Owen’s side finishing 2019 without picking up any silverware, there are multiple positives that the side can take with them moving into the new year.

The year saw a lot of movement within the squad with the likes of Sophie Hancocks and Jodie Passmore making way to join league rivals Cardiff Met.

Despite seeing Hancocks and Passmore, who played a big part in last season’s campaign,  depart in the summer they have welcomed several new faces with the likes of 17-year-old goalkeeper Deanna Lewis, former Cardiff Met captain Tija Richardson, Chloe Chivers, Kate Searle, Cerys Bevan and Brooke Llewelyn.

The year began with a frustrating goalless draw against Cardiff City at Llandarcy which saw Lauren Hancock, who has since departed the club, have a goal disallowed for offside in the dying embers of the match.

Following on from the draw, Swansea then went on to build up an unbeaten run of five games, which included a 7-0 thrashing over Rhyl in the semi-final of the League Cup; the run was halted in the final of the competition as they lost 3-1 to Cardiff Met.

However, the side put that result behind them to finish the season strongly and scored 18 goals in their final three games against Briton Ferry (7-0), Cyncoed (6-0) and Port Talbot Town (5-0).

“Obviously at the end of last season we were disappointed not to pick up a trophy,” Ian Owen said. “We were in a good position but I just think in the league last season we weren’t consistent enough; our defence played really well all year long and the record shows that.”

Swansea finished the Welsh Premier Women’s League in second behind Cardiff Met.

Pre-season was the catalyst of a positive run of form, which continued into the new season as they defeated The New Saints, Swindon Town and Exeter City in friendlies.

“We had a fantastic pre-season with a little bit of upset losing some experienced players, however, that opened the door for others to come through,” added Owen.

“We found a real balanced formula throughout pre-season which created a good mood and made the players happy.

“Pre-season couldn’t have gone any better and that just carried on into the new campaign and it’s something we want to bring into the new year with us.”

They have made a perfect start to the season, picking up maximum points in the league and sit top of the table, they have also booked their slot in the FAW Women’s Cup quarter-final.

“This season so far, up until Christmas we have been playing some of the best football over the last 20 years that I have been here,” added Owen.

“Going into 2020 we are just looking to carry on the way we are.

“We know that when we are at the top, teams will want to beat you more than anybody else.

“A really pleasing aspect coming towards the end of 2019 was the 7-0 win over Cyncoed. Never mind the scoreline, it was all departments of the pitch that made an improvement again; the team played very well.”

 “The biggest highlight of the year for me was just seeing some of the younger players develop and begin to fulfil their potential.”

The Swans conclude the year by welcoming Cardiff City to Llandarcy on December 29 (2pm) in the Welsh Premier Women’s League Cup.