ON Saturday, Brecon Ladies played Carmarthen on their home pitch at Penlan, Brecon. Carmarthen are currently placed three places above Brecon in the league table therefore the Ladies were anticipating the game to be very close.
Brecon won first push back, and the game got off to a steady start. Despite being a home game, Brecon had just 12 players so the girls knew they were lacking fresh legs and would need to pace themselves throughout the game. The first 10 minutes of the game were evenly fought, with the two teams assessing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It was Emily James (centre forward) who injected some urgency into the game, with a solo run through Carmarthen’s defence to the top of Brecon’s attacking circle. A fast clean strike at goal saw the ball speed past the goalkeeper into the left corner of the goal. The score was 1-0 to Brecon.
Knowing they had beaten Brecon in the first half of the season gave Camarthen the confidence to drive at Brecon. They were awarded a short corner for their efforts. To Brecon’s dismay after a scramble in the circle, the ball was slipped past their goalkeeper to level the score.
But before the whistle blew for half time, Brecon managed to score two goals from short corners to make the score 3-1. The first came from Anna Prothero, who took the chance to scoop the ball over Carmarthen’s goalkeeper who had dropped to the floor to save a direct strike on goal. The second came from Emily James who was well positioned to retrieve the goalkeeper’s saved shot and slip the ball into the net.
The game was far from over, and the Brecon Ladies knew they couldn’t underestimate Carmarthen in the second half. Brecon’s defence remained calm and structured, managing to cut off many of Carmarthen’s attack. Sally Spencer worked hard in the middle of the pitch, intercepting loose balls and putting in some great tackles to play the ball up to Brecon’s midfield and forwards. A ball from Sally to Sarah Pole on the left side of the pitch gave Sarah the chance to use her speed to drive the ball through to Brecon’s attacking quarter. Brecon’s forwards, Hannah and Liv Mills and Hannah Williams were quick to support, and a strong reverse stick strike from Hannah Mills saw the ball sneak in at the far post. Brecon were now 4-1 up.
Brecon’s Hannah Mills then scored her second goal of the game in a goalmouth scramble, which saw her push the ball to the right of the keeper for 5-1.
It was a much needed win for Brecon Ladies. The Ladies would like to thank local businesses for their support, namely Market Tavern Brecon for the post match teas and kit sponsors James Dean Estate Agents and Select Security Specialists.
Next week see’s an early start for the girls as they travel to Cardiff to play Cardiff and Met 2nds at Cyncoed Campus for a 10.30am push back.