Carmarthen 2XI vs Risca 1XI
Posted by Nobody on 29 January 2020
On Saturday 25th January, Carmarthen 2XI welcomed Risca 1XI in their quarter- final of the South Wales League Cup.
With this being Carmarthen’s first home game back in Carmarthen, the team we’re excited and rearing to go.
Carmarthen started strong from the start, putting pressure on Risca from the first whistle to gain possession early on in the game. Carmarthen quickly attacked using effective 1,2’s triangles between the forwards and midfields to break into Risca’s ‘D’. Risca’s defence held strong and make it hard for Carmarthen to find a way to get the ball in the goal in the first few minutes. Carmarthen stayed calm as they continued to keep possession until a ball from Lucy Davies into the ‘D’ unlocked Risca’s defence to find Mirain Morgan waiting to flick the ball past the goalie with ease to put the home side in the lead, 1-0.
This was the confidence Carmarthen needed as they continued to display great team work throughout the first half, with defenders Marianne Spratt, Elinor Routley, Kate Williams and Leia Thomas using lovely transfers to get the ball to wingbacks Rhian Moremon, Mari Davies and Phebe Burton who used the space out wide well to create play, unfortunately a quick turnover and break by Risca allowed the away team to equalise going into half time, 1-1.
After a positive half time talk by coaches Jackie Marshall, Osian Evans, Kate Williams and Captain Charlotte Harries, Carmarthen were determined to get the all important next goal.
Carmarthen started the half using their strong centre Lili Church and Lucy Davies to move the ball well between them and the wingbacks to create opportunities for the forwards Mirain Morgan, Charlotte Harries, Siriol Richards and Bethany James to capitalise on the balls coming through. A ball from Mari Davies to her sister Lucy Davies in the middle broke through Risca’s wall where it allowed a quick slip from Morgan to Richards to calmly put the ball in the back of the net, 2-1.
Both teams were now giving all they had in the last 10 minutes of the game, Carmarthen kept calm, winning multiple short corners which were unlucky not to convert. A long ball from a Risca defender after a Carmarthen short corner allowed Risca to chase down the ball to get the equaliser, 2-2.
As the game ended 2-2 in this knockout game, it then went to penalty shootouts to decide which team would progress to the next round.
With goal keeper Lowri Davies putting in a heroic performance to block multiple shots and Carmarthen players stepping up to prove they have no problem finding the back of the net, Carmarthen won the penalty shootouts 3-1 to reach the semi-final of the SWL Cup.
Man of the match from Carmarthen was awarded to Mirain Morgan for her strong performance and her ability to create a lot of play for Carmarthen throughout.
Man of the match from Risca was awarded to Siriol Richards for the attacking threat she created during the game.
With 100% commitment from each player and such a strong team bond, Carmarthen showed that they played for each other this game to allow them to come away which such an outstanding result in a challenging game. Carmarthen 2XI will train hard in the upcoming months as they take on Llanybydder 1XI in the semi-final of this cup.
