Swans Ladies 4 Wrexham Ladies 0
FAW Welsh Women's Cup QF
Sunday November 15, 2009
Swansea City Ladies successfully progressed to the semi-finals of the FAW Women's Challenge Cup against Wrexham at Baglan, but it was all down to four extra-time goals, writes Robert Clement.
The South Wales Division One outfit launched numerous lightning raids into Wrexham territory during the early period, but the Robins tirelessly prevented Swansea from making the desired impact.
Swansea threatened to move ahead twice during the opening 10 minutes, with firstly a Sarah Adams shot being blocked by goalkeeper Amber Dean, that was then swiftly followed with central defender Natalie Ashford heading narrowly over the bar, following an Adams corner.
Pressure continued to be applied by Swansea, with them displaying their superior technique, and when Laura-May Walkley seized upon a lengthy kick upfield by Gemma Border she broke through the Wrexham ranks, only for Dean to superbly palm over the top the goalbound effort.
Welsh Under-19 international Lisa Anderson displayed her attacking ability, creating a left sided opening for Stephanie Turner on the half hour; unfortunately the lively frontrunner fired a close range angled effort into the side netting.
Swansea needed to make a first-half impact to underline their dominant authority on the game, and they were unlucky during the final minute prior to the interval when Vanessa Romero Folch sent a well timed shot straight at Dean, following an opening engineered by Adams.
The second-half once again saw the Swans maintain pressure, forcing Wrexham to stubbornly defend, with Barcelona-born Romero Folch and Walkley unable to make the vital impact.
The Robins finally attempted to move ahead from their first threatening raid into Swansea territory during the 72nd minute and after Olivia Hall had released the supporting Kirsty Jones, the visiting striker's shot forced Border into making an important save.
With extra-time rapidly approaching, there was still time for Swansea to break the lengthy deadlock, firstly second-half substitute Lindsay Morgan's 15-yard shot rebounded off the crossbar, which was then hastily followed up with Tija Richardson heading over the top from a Jodie Passmore corner.
With neither side able to make the all-important desired impact, the match went into twenty minutes extra-time, and it was Swansea who began to fire on all-cylinders with the vital finishing arriving within three minutes of the re-start.
Romero Folch delivered an inviting pass into the path of Walkley, Adams then made herself available to thread the ball back into Walkley's path and the goal poacher then applied the crucial finishing from close range.
That was the important boost that Swansea wanted and with a renewed spring in their step, they doubled the score-line six minutes into the second period with UWIC student Laura Davies netting from a Romero Folch opening.
Having made that additional impact with the second goal, Davies then became provider with her linking up with Passmore who drilled home a narrow angle near post shot two minutes later.
In the final threat of the game, Swansea added a fourth with Morgan shaking off the attention of the Wrexham defence, breaking forward at speed to find the net from eight yards.
Swansea City's team manager, Ian Owen, admitted that the victory was hard and difficult.
He said: "We certainly played well but the finishing was a problem.
"We constantly put pressure onto the Wrexham defence, and there were chances galore, but I really don't know what went wrong.
"To be fair to Wrexham, they battled on even though the game was pretty much one sided.
"I can't remember Gemma Border having much to do, but they certainly never gave in.
Swans: Gemma Border, Tija Richardson, Lisa Anderson, Alicia Powe, Natalie Ashford, Sarah Adams (Laura Davies, 103'), Rachel Rowe (Jodie Passmore, 85'), Kelly Melville (C), Vanessa Romero Folch, Stephanie Turner (Lindsay Morgan, 46'), Laura-May Walkley.
Not Used: Rhiannon Summerfield, Ella Walsh.
Wrexham: Amber Dean (C), Michelle Gasson, Laura Lightwood (Nicola Dean, 90'), Kate Edwards, Stephanie Taylor, Sam Williams, Jade Simons, Olivia Hull, Jade Davies, Kirsty Jones, Lowrie Edwards.
Not Used: Emma Lowe, Emma Roden, Sian Smith.
Referee: Nathan Mullock (Llanelli).
Goals: Laura-May Walkley (93'), Laura Davies (106'), Jodie Passmore (108'), Lindsay Morgan (110').
