Cwmbran Celtic Ladies vs Cascade YC

Match Report

Thus far, there have been no easy games for Celtic Women and this Adran South league match followed that pattern, Celtic only making the game safe with a Lauren Boyd penalty in the 88^th minute. Celtic started the stronger of the two teams but the visitors took the lead on 10 minutes in their first attack, Olivia Townsend fastening on to a pass by Ellis Lunn to squeeze the ball into the net. Celtic levelled on 19 minutes when Boyd headed home at the near post from a Katie Williams corner. Celtic were on top, Jade Crofts bringing a fine save from keeper Bethan Connolly and Fiona Anthony hitting the bar and on 32 minutes Celtic were deservedly ahead. Eloise Meaney’s flick on header was half cleared by a defender straight to Fiona Anthony who drilled the ball into the net. On 43 minutes Cascade equalised when a ball from Ware looked a 50-50 between attacker and defender but Lunn out-muscled the Celtic defender to prod the ball into the net.

Rain began to fall in the 2^nd half. On 63 minutes Williams played the ball down the middle where Eloise Meaney timed her run perfectly to score despite the keeper’s valiant attempt to smother the shot. Cascade fought back and brought a brilliant save from Aimie Preston and then a goalward shot was deflected for a corner to keep Celtic in front.

The weather became atrocious and to their credit both teams gamely pressed on displaying good skills despite the conditions. On 88 minutes Jade Crofts weaved her way into the box and shot – the ball was handled by a defender and Boyd stepped up to score the penalty against her former club which secured Celtic’s only 2^nd win in their last seven against Cascade.

Player of match: Natalia Shwartz who was also chosen for the Adran Leagues team of the week.