Late leveller denies Llanystumdwy three points

BETTY PICKERING CUP GROUP D – MATCH REPORT

Llanystumdwy 1 (Morgan-Price pen 25)
Berriew 1 (Pugh 90+8)

Llanystumdwy were denied a revenge win over their visitors by a last-gasp equaliser eight minutes into added time.

After a 3-0 win for Berriew in the reverse fixture, Llan knew they would need a much improved performance to take something from Sunday’s return game at Parc Dwyfor.

And after an uneventful first 25 minutes, the first real chance went to the home side when they were awarded a penalty.

The hard work of Kayleigh Lavender paid off, putting pressure on the Berriew defence to win the ball back, before being brought down by keeper Catherine Bradley.

There was no doubt as the referee pointed to the spot. Sian Elin Morgan-Price stepped up and scored her third goal in four matches.

Berriew enjoyed a lot of the ball but were unable to create anything, until a free kick deep in their own half was hit long and caused confusion in the Llan defence.

This gave a Berriew attacker the whole half to herself, carrying the ball forward into the box but dragging her shot wide of the post.

Half time: Llanystumdwy 1-0 Berriew

The second half followed a similar pattern, Berriew still having much possession and Llanystumdwy working hard to protect their lead.

Into the final half hour, a succession of corners for the Rhiewsiders put Llan under pressure, but they were all well dealt with by home captain Tash Matthews and keeper Sara Lacey.

A shot from distance forced Lacey into a great save to keep the score at 1-0, as the Powys travellers tried hard to find the equaliser.

With 15 minutes to go, a possible turning point. Lacey bravely gathered the ball on the floor, a Berriew striker seemed to kick out in frustration leaving the Llan gloveswoman in a heap, and having made all their subs it looked possible that the hosts could be down to 10 and without a keeper.

Luckily for the home side she was cleared to continue, although they’d feel aggrieved that no punishment was given to the attacker.

This break in play allowed Llan to regroup, and in the final 15 minutes they created the better chances. A Heledd Savage corner was headed just over by Jo Cynan, while subs Elwen Evans and Ffion Dunn both went close to putting the home side 2-0 up and sealing the win.

In the eighth minute of time added on, Berriew found an equaliser. A corner was headed away, but only as far as Josie Pugh, whose effort from distance went through a crowd of players and into the back of the net, giving Lacey no chance.

After the match, Llanystumdwy manager Sion Parry said: “First of all I want to say I’m proud of the players today, for their hard work, their efforts, their commitment to the cause.

“We knew that at Berriew we weren’t good enough but also that they were a good side, and that a much improved performance was needed.

“On the balance of play, I’d say Berriew deserved their late goal, but obviously from our point of view being so close to that victory and working so hard to hold on, there’s disappointment within the team that they leave with just a point.

“I don’t like singling players out but I feel like Lacey deserves it today – 50 consecutive appearances and hasn’t missed a single minute, and was so close to marking it with a clean sheet.

“Tash Matthews with a player of the match performance at the back dealt with everything that came her way, in open play or from set pieces. And Lea Ephraim at left back, six months ago wasn’t playing football at all, then in the summer had said she wouldn’t be carrying on playing, so the level of performances she’s put in not just vs Berriew but over the last few weeks deserves a mention.

“I couldn’t fault anyone in the team today though, every single one of them gave their all and were out on their feet when that equaliser went in.

“In the end it means another point in the group, and we’ll wait and see what happens this Sunday between Berriew and Trearddur Bay as to where that leaves us.”

LLANYSTUMDWY

Sara Lacey
Leonie O’Hara
Lea Ephraim
Heledd Savage
Tash Matthews
Shayana Vidamour
Sian-Elin Morgan-Price
Jo Cynan
Ellie Williams
Ana-Lois White
Kayleigh Lavender
SUBS USED
Ffion Morris-Dunn
Jessica Williams
Elwen Evans

BERRIEW

Catherine Bradley
Yasmin Griffiths
Caitlyn Watkins
Caitlin Gorman
Katie Price
Samantha Jones
Carla Jones
Molly Williams
Hannah Wood
Josie Pugh
Danielle Walker
SUBS USED
Olivia Griffiths
Ayesga Owen Jones
Ceri Morris