USW Women’s football 1st 4-1 University of Essex 1st

By Matt Priest

UNIVERSITY of South Wales Women’s 1^st earned a 4-1 victory over University of Essex 1^st with a fantastic performance at the USW Sports Park.

Lucia Carpanini opened the scoring for the hosts, before Meg Saunders doubled the advantage.

After the break, USW made sure of the victory through Taite Trivett and Olivia Townsend’s goals, with Evie Creaton pulling a consolation goal back for the visitors late-on.

USW started the match strong, scoring in the fourth minute after a set-piece routine was finished by Carpanini into the top right corner.

Saunders was brought down in the box awarding the hosts a penalty in the 15^th minute. The attacker’s shot was saved by Essex’s keeper Zeena Jivraj, but Saunders slotted home the rebound home to put USW 2-0 up.

After first 20 minutes went all USW’s way, Essex’s best chance was a long shot by Victoria Leyer, which she skimmed wide of the post.

USW went close to adding a third through Caitlin Davies, who hit the crossbar, after the hosts weathered a period of pressure from Essex.

Just before half-time, Essex were awarded a free kick just outside the box, with Emily McNelis forcing a great save from USW keeper Mackenzie Ellingham.

In the 62^nd minute, Trivett added a third for the hosts with a lovely shot to the keepers right, rolling into the bottom corner.

Townsend made it 4-0 to USW with a 30-yard screamer in the 70^th minute, which she curled beautifully into the top-right corner, over the head of Jivraj.

The visitors pulled one back in the 77^th minute with a lovely through ball leaving Creaton with an easy finish to make it 4-1, but it wasn’t enough to mount a late comeback, as USW secured all three points.

(Featured Image: Reuel Roach)