Pontypridd AFC Women began their SWWGL Division 1 campaign with a home loss against Talgarth Town Women at Ynsyangharad Park.
Having spent their title winning maiden campaign at Ynysybwl Recreation Ground, it was a return to the familiar surroundings of Pontypridd’s iconic park and the women were hoping to make a positive start against a side that finished runners-up to the Black Sheep in Division Two last season.
In the first half, Ponty certainly showed their superiority and had created several chances before Leah King bounced to open her season’s account after Katy Hughes’ close range effort was saved. However, last season’s top scorer Hughes was not to be undone as she fired Ponty into a 2-0 lead with a shot from outside the box that the away keeper could only deflect into the goal.
Against the run of play Talgarth found themselves back within touching distance, a superb long-range free kick by Belcher that flew into the top corner and there was nothing stand-in keeper Megan Voyle could do about it.
Even before the break, Ponty created more chances and probably should have been out of sight at half-time but a lack of composure let the home side down and that would come back to hurt them in the second-half.
HT: Pontypridd AFC Women 2-1 Talgarth Town FC Women
The second-half was a totally different spectacle as the visitors made the most of having a full bench, whereas Ponty could only name two substitutes with nine players unavailable. An injury to captain Kate Ward midway through the half was a further blow to the home side and it seemed to be the stimulus for Talgarth to take a grip of the game as Ponty’s women tired the longer the game went on.
Emily Price beat off three defenders before slotting home an equaliser fifteen minutes from the end and Voyle made several good saves before she was finally beaten from 12 yards as an added time penalty from Kirsty Rea gave Talgarth all three points.
FT: Pontypridd AFC Women 2-3 Talgarth Town FC Women
POTM: Katy Hughes. A non-stop performance in leading the line for the Black Sheep.
Special mentions: Stand-in goalkeeper Megan Voyle made several important saves today and wasn’t at fault for any of the goals.
Coach Andrew Williams-Jones said: “We played on the front foot in the first half, creating many chances to put the game beyond reach but football can be like this. No doubt this will improve as the girls get back into the swing of things and a few missing players return to the team.”
“We were forced into changes in the second half, which made the team disjointed. The game became scrappy and the injury to Kate Ward was a turning point. Credit to Talgarth, who took full control of the game.”
