by Matthew Williams
BOTH sides contested the opening 5 minute competitively, until the visitors took an early lead
just a few minutes in.
A quick run from Swansea’s frontline ensured they began the match with an early advantage.
USW’s start went from bad to worse as just four minutes later they suffered an injury to one
of their forward players, a bitter blow so early on.
However USW showed brilliant spirit as they continued to push forward for an equaliser. It
wasn’t long before they got their efforts repaid, with USW No.6 levelling the contest up with a
powerful finish.
They weren’t level for long though, as Swansea charged down the other end to score a
fantastic second. USW’s never say die attitude allowed them to continue opening the visitors
defends, and they scored an equaliser to bring the game back even.
A fantastic opening quarter meant there was no letting up, as Swansea deadly attack continued to cause havoc to USW’s defence; and they soon regained the lead to make it 3-2.
To Swansea’s credit or detriment, Swansea appeared to want to keep a high line and push
for even more goals, instead of closing the opening quarter out. That ultimately cost them as
USW starlet No.6 wriggled here way through the opposition defence to make it 3-3 just
before the opening quarter was out.
Just one minute after the interval and USW once again let their hard work go to waste as
Swansea claimed their fourth of the game as they once again took their lead back.
Unlike in the first quarter, USW failed to muster up any real chances to respond to their
Welsh counterparts. Swansea continued to push forward and attack as USW struggled to
find a real foothold in the game.
Swansea’s possession soon started to become dominance, as they scored a brilliant goal to
extend their lead, and finally put some daylight between the two sides.
USW needed a big response and fast, and that’s exactly what they got, as USW’s relentless
attacking pressure lead to USW’s tall attacking number 12 to pull one back for the hosts.
USW built on their goal by grabbing another just minutes later, No.3 scoring a superb team
goal to bring USW level once again.
USW’s equalising goal came just before the referees half time whistle, 5-5 the half time
score.
USW started the second half positively as they saw an effort sail just wide in the opening
exchanges. USW’s No.7 capitalised on some great play from her teammates to fire home a
sixth for USW, as they took the lead for the first time in the game.
USW seemed to find a whole new lease in the second half as USW went further ahead, No.7
dazzling her way through the Swansea defends to bag another.
Swansea began to press USW for the first time in the second half, and they got their just-
reward as they pulled one back. The game still firmly in the balance.
Swansea added another quick fire goal, a shot driven low to the keeper’s left. The game
appearing to be doing anything but slow down.
USW’s No.3’s piercing runs had been giving Swansea problems all day, and it was no
different when she ran through the opposition defence to score again for the home side.
As the third quarter came to an end, the game was still hanging in the balance with one
quarter left.
Less than a minute into the final quarter and Swansea were back on the board, a brilliant run
on goal and a high driven shot firing straight into the top corner of the goal.
Despite conceding, USW looked the better side in the opening five minutes of the final
quarter, but saw a number of great chances fly just shy of the goal posts.
Just as the game appeared to have become relatively settled in comparison to large parts of
the encounter, USW’s impeccable No.6 began a solo run from within her own half to fire in
another goal for herself and her team.
Just two minutes later Swansea showed no signs of letting up as they scored yet another.
The clock began to dwindle down but the intensity did not, as both sides pushed forward to
claim a hugely important win.
Swansea managed to push forward and score again with just one minute left on the clock.
USW needed one more goal to make sure they get their share of the spoils, and with just
moments left of the game, they got exactly that.
After a pulsating game, the referee blew the whistle to bring a close to a scintillating match.
Both sides will be happy with the result considering how well both sides played. The final
score, USW 10-10 Swansea.
USW’s Tessa Hepburn said after the game; “It was well played by both teams. There was
great defence great attack from both sides as well. Overall it was a very good game…
Tough, but there was a lot we can improve on in training.”
Final Score: USW 1sts 10-10 Swansea 2nds
(23/10/2019)