Report | The New Saints Women 1 Swansea City Women 5
Stacey John-Davis scored a hat-trick as Swansea City Women booked their place in the Genero Adran Trophy final with an emphatic win over The New Saints Women.
Emily Thomas - fresh from recently signing a semi-pro contract - opened the scoring with a headed effort after just six minutes, before Sammy Wynne doubled Swansea’s advantage with a stunning strike from distance.
John-Davis made it three just before the break, and went on to add a fantastic quickfire double in the second half to complete her treble.
TNS would pull one back late, Chelsea Herbert making a double save before Chloe Shirley found the net, but it was nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.
The Swans had started the game brightly, with Chloe Chivers’ effort from distance flashing just over the bar.
But it wouldn’t take long for the Swans to open the scoring, with Thomas heading home Chivers’ cross just six minutes in. The goal was Thomas’ sixth in the competition this season, with the forward having netted five goals in a 13-0 win over Llandudno in the earlier rounds.
Chivers almost had a second assist just nine minutes later after she found Hosford in the box, but the skipper’s low effort was blocked inside the six-yard box.
But Wynne would double the visitors’ lead just a minute later. Chivers’ low effort from outside the box cannoned off the post and found Wynne in space on the edge of the box, giving the midfielder to a curl a fantastic 25-yard strike into the top-right corner.
TNS had the chance to pull one back 10 minutes later, Swansea keeper Herbert did well to punch a corner delivery clear, but it fell to Chantelle Teare who fired well over the bar.
Instead of the hosts pulling a goal back, the Swans would further extend their lead before the interval when Thomas found John-Davis on the edge of the box for the forward to curl a fantastic low shot in off the inside of the post.
Jess Williams had the chance to make it four just before the break, Hosford’s delivery picked out the defender in the box, but her effort was wide of the target.
The Swans dominance continued after the break, Ellie Lake going close with a curling effort that whistled just past the post.
John-Davis would then add her second of the game with a stunning strike, firing from the right side of the area into the top left corner to give the keeper no chance.
Just two minutes later, John-Davis would complete her hat-trick. The forward stepped up to a free-kick and arrived the ball into the top corner to make it 5-0.
Teare came close to pulling one back after a period of TNS pressure, the ball fell to her on the edge of the box but she fired just wide.
But the hosts did pull one back late on, Herbert produced a smart double save before Shirley tapped home into an open net.
However, it wouldn’t be enough to dampen the Swansea spirits as they reached the final of the Genero Adran Trophy.
The New Saints Women: Ellie Suckley, Beth Lewis (captain) (Evie Manders 74), Melanie Barlow (Matlida Edge 69), Chatelle Teare, Chloe Shirley, Tia Lockley, Caitlin Chapman (Lauren Dunkerly 39), Helen Evans (Nicole Samson 74), Isobel Redding, Lia Lewis, Emily Ridge
Unused subs: Lois Jones.
Swansea City Women: Chelsea Herbert, Steph Turner (Alicia Powe 82), Ellie Lake, Chloe Chivers (Lucy Finch 69), Katy Hosford (captain), Stacey John-Davis, Sammy Wynne (Rachel Cullen 59), Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Monet Legall (Rhian Williams 82), Emily Thomas (Jazz Guymer 82), Jess Williams.
