USW Women’s 1sts 10 – 6 Royal Agricultural 1sts – 27/11/19
In a thrilling game at the Sports Park, University of South Wales 1st came out on top with a 10-6 victory over Royal Agricultural 1st.
The visitors started off brightly with number 11, Talis Humphries, opening the scoring after 22 seconds. Their lead was short lived after USW’s number 15, Tessa Hepburn, scored the equaliser in the 4th minute.
In the 6th minute RAU’s Milly Drewett had a shot saved after a lovely run passed the defence. A minute later Humphries had a penalty saved by the USW keeper. Despite her disappointment, she redeemed herself within seconds by putting her side 2-1 up.
With a quick break from the back, USW were soon back level in the 8th minute with captain Viki Szirtes scoring the equaliser. After the restart, USW showcased more positive play and hit the post just before the first quarter whistle. The quarter ended 2-2.
After a quick start following the break captain, Szirtes, put her team in front in the 11th minute. Despite being 3-2 down, both Humphries and RAU captain Bella Boulton continued to impress with quick attacking. Humphries saw her shot in the 14th minute go just wide and two minutes later Boulton saw her shot saved after a lovely stop by the home sides goalkeeper.
Their pressure and good skill were soon rewarded when Humphries scored her hattrick and RAU’s equaliser in the 17th minute to make it 3-3. However, a minute later Holly Shepard put the home side in front once again. At the end of the second quarter RAU hit the post and the first half ended 4-3 to USW.
USW came out the blocks quickest again after half time. Hepburn, who was the standout, produced some lovely play in the 22nd minute but saw her shot go straight at the keeper. Just a minute later she scored her second of the afternoon and USW’S fifth.
Boulton, the visitors captain, scored in the 25th minute to make it a one goal difference once again. This didn’t last long when Hepburn showed her talent once more in the 26th min after producing impressive skill. USW began dominating play at the end of the third quarter with several shots coming from both Hepburn and number 13 Maria Beatriz. The quarter ended 6-4 with the visitors trailing.
It was all to play for in the final quarter with both teams looking for the victory. USW took control scoring two goals in two minutes to stretch the lead to 8-4. Hepburn secured her hattrick with Tal Moreb also getting on the scoresheet.
After good individual play, Eleanor Fairey secured her place on the scoresheet scoring for the visitors. A minute later, Beatriz finally got her goal in the 39th minute after numerous shots throughout the game to make it 9-5. USW got their tenth goal in the last minute as Szirtes clinched her hattrick after picking up the ball on the halfway line. RAU finished the game with a goal in the last second, but USW were too strong overall. It finished 10-6 to the home side despite the good effort from the visitors.
RhiannaDavies Sports 