Report | Abergavenny Women 1 Swansea City Ladies 3

Swansea City Ladies returned to winning ways as a quickfire second-half double earned them victory at Abergavenny Women.

Despite a dominant first-half showing from the Swans that saw them strike the woodwork twice, Abergavenny would take the lead early in the second half as Eliza Atkins cross found the back of the net.

But the visitors quickly levelled through Jess Williams, who smashed home Katy Hosford’s corner.

Two goals in three minutes would be enough to earn the Swans all three points, Hosford putting the Swans ahead before birthday girl Nieve Jenkins headed home just moments later to seal three points.

The Swans looked dangerous from the opening minute as Stacey John-Davis burst past the Abergavenny defence, but her low effort was well saved.

Abergavenny had a chance of their own just a minute later, Atkins breaking for the hosts before rounding the goalkeeper, but Ria Hughes was on hand to clear her effort away.

Ellie Lake tried her luck from 30 yards with a powerful strike, but it would be just too high as it struck the top of the crossbar.

John-Davis’ excellent pace would create her a chance soon after, a cleared ball from Williams sent the forward through, but she would be denied once again.

Just eight minutes after hitting the crossbar, Lake would strike the woodwork once again from a very similar position, this time being denied by the underside of the bar.

Lake looked to turn provider before the break, her cross finding Hosford at the back post, but her volleyed effort would be straight at the goalkeeper.

Despite a dominant first half, it was a nightmare start to the second for the Swans as Atkins cross struck the back post and went in just a minute after the restart.

But just four minutes later the Swans would be level, Hosford’s corner caused chaos in the six-yard box,  eventually leading to Williams smashing home an equaliser.

The Swans would then strike the woodwork for a third time as they searched for the lead, this time Emma Beynon’s long-range strike clattered the bar.

But they would pull ahead just a minute later, John-Davis’ great ball across the box finding Hosford at the back post to tap home and make it 2-1.

Just three minutes later the Swans would extend their advantage, Hosford turning provider once again as she found Jenkins at the back post to head home her second goal in as many games on her birthday.

Abergavenny would give the Swans a warning with 15 minutes to go, Jenkins clearing a corner from the hosts as far as Caitlin Davies, whose volley struck the post.

A minute later John-Davis came close to scoring once again, breaking at pace through the Abergavenny defence and doing well to turn onto her left foot, but she couldn’t get a clean connection on her final shot.

But it did not affect the final outcome and the win sees the Swans climb up to second in the Genero Adran Premier, just two points behind league leaders Cardiff City Women.

Abergavenny Women: Charlotte Hastings, Ffion Simmonds, Caitlin Davies, Elena Scrivens, Sian Bull, Jamelia Davies, Ceri Hudson (captain), Katie Williams (Carys Gittins 85), Alana Murphy, Lauren Boyd, Eliza Atkins (Gracie Grosvenor 79).

Unused subs: Megan Jones, Megan Stanton, Lyndsey Davies.

Swansea City Ladies: Chelsea Herbert, Ellie Lake, Emma Beynon (captain), Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes (Emily Freeman 86), Nieve Jenkins, Katy Hosford, Stacey John-Davis, Chloe Tiley (Nia Rees 70), Jess Williams, Rachel Cullen (Gwen Horgan 63).