Swansea City striker Lindsay Morgan fired home an early opener in their South Wales Women's League match against current leaders CaerphillyCastle at Baglan's Evans Bevan playing fields, writes Robert Clement.
Unfortunately the Mid Glamorgan side drew level with a penalty spot finish from Sophie Davies, but despite dominating the match for long periods the young Swans were unable to maintain their 100% league record.
With Swansea having last seen league action in November with a 6-0 victory against Aberaman, the weather along with a series of cup matches has resulted in a major backlog to the league campaign schedule.
It took Swansea only four minutes to make the stunning impact, with Laura-May Walkley advancing down the left side to release Morgan and the Tredegar-born teenager, who then applied a determined attitude, sent a well timed shot past goalkeeper Gemma Harris.
Within seven minutes of that opener, there was an additional opportunity to increase the lead, only for Walkley to send a 20-yard freekick straight into the hands of Harris after Morgan had her progress halted by defender Sarah Bailey.
Caerphilly found themselves with the chance to draw level after 14 minutes, when referee Dean Cox judged Tija Richardson to have obstructed Lucy Ambrozejczyk in the penalty area, and it was Davies who applied the spot kick finish and sent the ball into the roof of the net.
Despite having conceded their first league goal in dubious manner, Swansea were quickly responding with another attacking threat, and the lively Morgan was unfortunate when a right sided cross from Jodie Passmore found her in space only for her to despatch a rising effort just over the goal frame.
Midway into the half, Swansea had their defensive qualities tested, only for team captain Alicia Powe to apply a timely headed clearance following a Vicky Stratton corner.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Swansea continued to maintain their attacking options, with Sarah Adams and Walkley combining to make swift progress into Caerphilly territory and having picked out Morgan in support, the goal hungry frontrunner had a quality finish smoothed by the constantly involved keeper.
On the hour Swansea carved out another goalscoring option, but regrettably it was the upright that prevented Rachel Rowe from regaining the lead that Swansea deserved following an inswinging cross provided by Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive student Passmore.
Caerphilly continued to absorb additional Swansea pressure, with Harris once more denying Walkley with her finger-tipping an angled delivery around the post.
With eight minutes remaining it was the goal frame which, for a second time, prevented Passmore from grabbing the match winner.
As the match moved into added on time, Port Talbot-born Richardson advanced from a midfield position, and she was inches away from securing the three points for Swansea, heading over the top from ten yards following an Adams corner.
"I think that the word frustrating is the word that suitably sums up the match," said Swansea City Ladies team manager Ian Owen.
"Games seem to be like this every week, where we outplay the opposition only to then find it difficult to take our chances, and it constantly proves to be costly for us.
"We couldn't have had a better start to the game with Lindsay Morgan making the important breakthrough, which was great, very positive and direct with us gaining the appropriate reward".
"I believe that the penalty that we conceded soon after was a bit dubious, but the referee was in a better position.
"We then had numerous chances, being camped in Caerphilly's territory for long periods, and also we hit the post on a number of occasions, and unfortunately that's the way it goes sometimes."
Swans: Gemma Border, Alicia Powe (C), Tija Richardson, Lisa Anderson, Rachel Rowe, Sarah Adams, Laura-May Walkley, Kelly Melville, Lindsay Morgan, Stephanie Turner, Jodie Passmore.
Not Used: Rhiannon Summerfield.
