Carmarthen 2XI v Cwmtawe 1XI
Posted by Nobody on 19 September 2019
Carmarthen 2XI v Cwmtawe 1XI
On the hot afternoon of Saturday 14th of September, Carmarthen Ladies 2Xl travelled to Ystradgynlais to play Cwmtawe 1Xl in their first friendly of the season.
The game started strong with both teams giving it their all. Both teams were sporting new players, with Thaia Davies, Mali Jones, Tirion Evans and Isabell Lavery making their 2Xl debut. Within the first quarter Carmarthen’s midfielders, Lucy Davies, Kate Howell, Tirion Evans, Isabell Lavery, Scarlett Mackenzie-Jones and Mari Davies showed high intensity play by ensuring the ball was kept in Carmarthen’s possession and sent up to the ‘D’. The first goal for Carmarthen was created when a pass from Lucy Davies in the centre found Siriol Richards who sent it towards the goal where Thaia Davies was there to tap it in to ensure it was Carmarthen who got into the lead. This was the start Carmarthen needed to give this young team the momentum needed entering the second quarter. The first quarter ended, 1-0.
After a quick team talk Carmarthen started the second quarter meeting the ball more and structuring their play better with a strong centre supporting a lot of promising play happening on the wings. Carmarthen’s forwards, Charlotte Harries, Mali Jones, Siriol Richards and Thaia Davies worked well together with the midfielders in order to secure Carmarthen’s second goal. Carmarthen used width and lots of 1,2’s into the ‘D’ to achieve this where it was again Davies who used her speed to quickly get into the ‘D’ to slot home her second goal on her debut game. The second quarter ended, 2-0.
By the third quarter, Cwmtawe 1XI realised they needed to step up to meet Carmarthen high standard of play. This lead to pressure on Carmarthen’s defence, Marianne Spratt, Ellie Routley, Leia Thomas, Caitlin Marshall and Kate Williams. A few short corners were given against Carmarthen, but no goals were transpired from them. Carmarthen’s defence maintained their composure and with Deryn Cressey-Rodgers goalie skills, managed to let Cwmtawe score only one goal during the pressure to defend. Both teams continued to apply pressure in the last quarter and Carmarthen showed their excellent game standard to hold off Cwmtawe and continue to hunt for another goal within the last quarter.
The game ended 2-1 to Carmarthen who built on each quarters performance by not only improving their standard of play but their confidence throughout too. Captain Harries praised the team’s efforts to show such determination, skill and team work in their first game to secure a win against a team who is in the division above. She also praises the four young players making their debuts and creating such a positive impact on the team. With this being the first game at such a high standard, it’s exciting to see how far this young team will go this season with Carmarthen pushing for a deserved promotion this season with them being very unfortunate and just missing out the last two seasons.
Carmarthen’s awarded their player of the match to Thaia Davies for her ability to use her speed and skill to create an outstanding debut performance upfront that lead to securing both of Carmarthen’s goals which reflects the whole team’s performance to dig deep on such a hot day.
Carmarthen 2XI travel to Cardiff next Saturday for their second friendly of the season against Llan and Llan 1XI.
