by Tom Young
THE University of South Wales finished their pre-season in style as a six goal showing in the second half helped them overcome a stubborn Swansea University.
The first chance of the game fell to the away side, a free-kick on the corner of the box was struck well by the Swansea sides’ captain, however her effort drifted just wide.
There were few clear cut chances for either side in the first 45, USW striker Lucy McDonagh was causing problems for Swansea’s defence, getting in behind on numerous occasions, however the Swansea keeper proved hard to beat.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute. A corner from the right hand side wasn’t dealt with by the Swansea defence and central midfielder Chelsea Cochrane was on hand to fire home on the half volley from 12 yards out.
A mix up in the USW defence gifted Swansea’s No.13 a chance to draw the away side level, however she snatched at her effort and saw it dribble wide, with USW taking a narrow lead into the break.
The home side showed their class in the second half and took just eight minutes to double their lead. Again from a corner, this time it was centre half Danni Dageenakis who rose highest to loop a header over the Swansea keeper and into the far corner.
Newly appointed captain Ffion Llewellyn got herself on the score-sheet with a stunning 20 yard strike on the hour mark and Ash Taylor made it four just two minutes later, reacting quickest after Llewellyn’s header bounced back of the post.
Vice-captain McDonagh, who was having a frustrating day in front of goal deservedly got on the scoresheet shortly afterwards, latching onto a stray ball and rounding the goalkeeper to tap home from five yards out.
McDonagh grabbed her second of the game with five minutes to go, firing across the keeper after running in behind the Swansea defence and getting on the end of an inch perfect through ball.
The home striker completed her hat trick just a minute later, this time coming in from the right-hand side and finishing calmly, tucking the ball into the far corner.
