Report | Cardiff Met 0 Swansea City Ladies 1

Stacey John-Davis struck the winner as Swansea City Ladies beat defending champions Cardiff Met in their Welsh Premier Women’s League opener.

Ian Owen’s side claimed their first victory over the Archers since January 2017, with John-Davis’ effort proving the difference at Cyncoed Campus.

The Swans created numerous  significant chances in the first half and could have gone into the break ahead, while Cardiff Met went close to scoring after Robyn Pinder hit the post.

Despite that, the Swans kept Met at bay for the majority of the match and limited their chances.

Throughout the entire match Lauren Smith and Stacey John-Davis were a nuisance for the home side’s defence, which was proven in the second half as they linked up to grab the crucial goal.

The Swans had the first chance of the match as Ellie Lake’s strike from the edge of the box was tipped over the crossbar by Met’s Estelle Randall.

The visitors had another great chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute when Shaunna Jenkins fed in Sarah Adams behind the defence with a long ball over the top, but she could only find the side netting.

Minutes later the hosts struck back with an effort of their own as Rebecca Mathias found Robyn Pinder with a pass over the top of the defence and the winger’s half-volley struck the post.

The last action of the half saw Randall deny John-Davis, who had diverted Smith’s flick-on from a Katy Hosford corner.

After the break, John-Davis continued to prove a menace to the Met backline as she went within inches of breaking the deadlock, only to see her chip rebound off the crossbar.

But she was not to be denied any further as the striker fired the Swans ahead in the 66th minute.

Smith dinked the ball to John-Davis in the penalty area and she kept her nerve to find the back of the net from a tight angle.

Smith went close to doubling the lead with 10 minutes to go after she forced Met keeper Randall to get down fast and block her shot with her right leg.

Randall was again called into action in the closing stages as she reacted quickly to parry Ria Hughes’ shot from a tight angle away and over the bar.

But that mattered little for the Swans, who claimed a well-deserved victory against Met, who had beaten them to the league title and League Cup last season.

Next up for the Swans is a home clash with Aberystwyth on September 22.

Cardiff Met: Estelle Randall, Grace Corne, Lucy Finch, Rebecca Mathias (Chloe Tiley, 74), Steph Turner, Sophie Hancocks, Lauren Townsend, Aimee Dagnall, Robyn Pinder, Madison Schupbach, Amy Long (Kitty Wells, 53).

Subs not used: Charlotte Smith, Stacy Ayling.

Swansea City: Deanna Lewis, Ellie Lake, Sarah Adams, Shaunna Jenkins, Emma Beynon (capt), Kelly Adams, Ria Hughes, Katy Hosford, Lauren Smith, Stacey John-Davis (Brooke Llewelyn, 82), Nieve Jenkins.

Subs not used: Hannah Miles, Gemma Border, Lani Hogben, Kate Searle.