By Rob Clement
@ Evans Bevan Playing Fields, Baglan

Rachel Rowe and Sarah Adams edged Swansea towards touching distance of the Southern section championship title in their final home Welsh Premier Women's Football League campaign.

The teenage duo made the vital impact with a goal in each half against UWIC, which now leaves Swansea requiring only a point from two remaining away fixtures against Newcastle Emlyn and Manorbier at the end of February and March, to provide them with a final fixture against possible Northern section contenders Aberystwyth Town, at the end of the season on neutral territory, with the Welsh Premiership winner gaining entry into next seasons European Champions League.

Having already recorded a 3-0 victory against the Cardiff students in the league opening fixture in September, Swansea almost allowed UWIC to snatch a 3rd minute lead, with Lauren Welsh sending the ball narrowly wide of the upright from their first likely scoring threat, after having gained possession in a challenge with Swansea captain Alicia Powe.

That proved to be a wake-up call for the Swans, and they responded with a 14th minute opener, Barcelona born Vanessa Romero Folch sent a quality delivery into the path of former Pentrehafod Comprehensive student Rowe, and the lively midfielder then despatched a 25 yard shot into the far corner of the net, beyond the stretching reach of visiting keeper Phillipa Gent.

Just after the half hour, Swansea were making additional positive strides forward into UWIC territory, and there was an opportunity to add to the slender lead with Natalie Ashford linking intelligently with Rowe with a swift passing movement, but Ashford was very unfortunate, sending a fierce curling shot narrowly wide from twelve yards.

UWIC attempted to end the first half on level terms, and both Naomi Clipston and Kayleigh Hateley threatened to force goalkeeper Gemma Border into conceding the first goal of the campaign, with shots from the edge of the penalty area being comfortably dealt with.

In the evenly contested game, Swansea needed a second goal to relax their nerves, and it almost arrived during the 58th minute, only for a Laura Davies goalbound shot to be cleared in the six-yard area by Siobhan Humphrey, after Romero Folch had made swift progress into UWIC territory.

Swansea finally had cause for additional celebration after increasing the attacking tempo three minutes later and when Adams, the Port Talbot based player, gained possession in a challenge with Jasmine Thomas, she then displayed her attacking pace to full effect, racing forward to send a superb angled delivery into the net.

Late in the game, central defender Natalie Ashford went close to adding a third goal, only to head narrowly wide of the goalframe from an Adams corner.

"We're all really pleased with the outcome of this at times difficult match, it was a really first class performance against a UWIC side that never gave up throughout the ninety minutes, being ideal opponents who carried the game to us," said Swansea City Ladies team manager, Ian Owen.

"UWIC had to win, to close the gap that we'd established at the top of the Southern section, but the Swansea players were excellent, and it was a very determined performance.

"Rachel Rowe supplied us with the ideal breakthrough, she was simply outstanding from start to finish, and her energy was fantastic along with her superb strike on goal."

Owen continued, "Despite that slender lead, I fully expected UWIC to respond, to then put us under a period of pressure, because there were a few players missing from the normal starting line-up, which resulted in us taking time to adjust.

"Fortunately, it became a little more comfortable in the second half with a second goal from Sarah Adams, it was another quality performance from her and she was rewarded with that vitally important finish.

"It certainly was a battle from beginning to end with both teams totally committed, which I certainly expected, with UWIC being our strongest rivals in South Wales.

"We're now in a excellent position, with maximum points from our four games, we have two matches remaining, and a six point lead in front of UWIC.

"At the end of the day we're in a good position, but nobody is resting on that, because we'd like to end the season's campaign with maximum points with victories away at Newcastle Emlyn and Manorbier."

Swans: Gemma Border, Alicia Powe (C), Tija Richardson, Lisa Anderson, Natalie Ashford, Sarah Adams, Vanessa Romero Folch, Laura Davies, Rachel Rowe, Stephanie Turner (Jodie Passmore, 84'), Laura-May Walkley.  

Not Used: Ella Walsh, Rhiannon Summerfield, Ria Hughes.

UWIC: Phillipa Gent, Lauren Stringer, Siobian Humphrey, Jasmine Thomas, Rhian Humpreys, Lauren Smith (C) (Aimee Todd, 61'), Holly Broad, Lauren Welsh (Clare Daley, 68'), Kayleigh Hateley, Lauren Charalambous, Naomi Clipston.

Not Used: Samantha Broom, Caoimhe Tiernan, Samantha Rogers.

Referee: Paul Fisher (Port Talbot)

* Swansea City Ladies will meet UWIC again this month in the semi-finals of the FAW Women's Cup.

Ian Owen's side have never reached the final of the competition and victory against the students would set-up a final tie against either Llandudno Junction or seven-time winners Cardiff City.

The tie against UWIC has to be played either on or before Sunday February 21, 2010.