Preview | Aberystwyth Town Women vs Swansea City Ladies
Swansea City Ladies return to Genero Adran Premier action as they travel to Aberystwyth Town Women this afternoon (2pm kick-off).
The Swans come into the game having won their opening game of 2023, Katy Hosford and Jess Williams netting in a 2-0 win over Pontypridd United Women.
Swansea currently sit in third place after their postponed fixture against TNS allowed Cardiff Met to jump them by one point.
The game also gives the Swans an opportunity to extend their unbeaten league runs to 10 games, having not suffered a league defeat since September.
Aberystwyth currently sit sixth in the Genero Adran Premier, six points behind the fourth-place spot that would grant them a place in the top half of the second phase of the competition
Despite a good run in the Genero Adran Trophy that has seen them secure a semi-final spot, Aberystwyth will be looking for a first league win in five games, having last won a league fixture in November.
In their last outing, Aberystwyth suffered a 4-0 defeat away at Cardiff Met in midweek, with two goals in either half securing three points for the home side.
Pre-match views
Ceri Phillips, Swansea City Ladies head coach: "Aberystwyth will prove a big test, they gave us a real tough game at home when we weren’t quite at it on that occasion.
"We’ve come a long way since that period and have had an excellent week in training, and feel prepared for the game and look to build on our last performance.
"There’s more pros than cons to the going away to teams where we have a bit of a trip on our hands. It allows everyone to be together on the journey to the game, and once the players shake the journey off there’s a performance to be put it in and hopefully that makes for a happy journey home.
"We are happy to be able to bring two new signings in. Lailah brings good versatility to the team, has settled in well and is looking forward to the challenge. Megan brings quality to our attacking options and has the bit between her teeth already, so we are looking forward to seeing them both in action soon.
Team news
The Swans squad will be bolstered by new signings Lailah Muscat and Megan Saunders, who both joined the club this week.
Muscat is a central defender that joins who has previously played for Swiss side FF Lugano.
Saunders joins the Swans from league leaders Cardiff City Women, with the forward hoping to overtake the Bluebirds with her new side.
Last time out
The two sides last met back in October, with Sarah Adams firing a late goal to secure a point for the Swans in a 2-2 draw.
Chloe Tiley had put the Swans ahead after just two minutes, converting from close range after a great ball from Ellie Lake.
But a first-half double from Libby Isaac would see the Swans behind at the break, the forward first converting a penalty before firing in a stunning 25-yard strike.
The Swans had to battle for an equaliser throughout the second half and would eventually find one, Adams finding the bottom right corner, but a run of three consecutive wins would be brought to an end as they were forced to settle for a point.
