Report | Swansea City Women 1 Aberystwyth Town Women 1

Swansea City Women’s perfect start to 2024 came to an end as they were held to a draw by Aberystwyth Town Women at Llandarcy.

Niamh Duggan’s first-half free-kick was enough to send the Seasiders into the break with the lead.

The Swans had a host of chances throughout the second half but couldn’t find the equaliser until seven minutes from time, Jess Williams bundling the ball over the line from close range to equalise with the home side wearing the pink ‘Tackling Cancer Together’ third kit to mark World Cancer Day and their Maggie’s matchday.

The Swans pressed for a late winner, but could not convert despite having a number of opportunities they could not apply the crucial finishing touch as they lost ground on Cardiff City Women in the Genero Adran Premier title race.

The Swans, who had entered the game on a run of 13 wins in 14 games in all competitions, had to deal with a spell of Aberystwyth pressure early on.

Gwen Jones found time and space in the box and got away a low effort, but a good save from Swansea goalkeeper Chelsea Herbert denied the visitors.

The Swans began to grow into the game from there, Ellie Lake responded with an effort of her own, breaking into the centre of the park before shooting just wide of the post.

Lake was involved again moments later as her cross found Emily Thomas in the box, but Thomas couldn’t get a clean connection on the ball and her effort was easily saved.

Swansea captain Katy Hosford had the chance to break the deadlock after good link-up play with Robyn Pinder, but her effort was at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper to save.

The Swans were made to pay for those missed chances as Duggan stepped up to a free-kick and curled her strike into the top-right corner to give the visitors the lead.

Despite the setback the Swans had the better of the remainder of the first half, Lake pushing forward again to link up with Hosford, but her effort would go just wide of the post.

Thomas came close again just before the break, Hosford cut a pass back to her, but the first-time effort was well held by the keeper.

The Swans continued to have the better of the chances early in the second half as Aberystwyth sat back and looked to maintain their lead.

Chloe Chivers’ long-range efforts continued to cause problems for Margot Farnes in the Aber goal, with Stacey John-Davis almost latching onto the loose ball from one spilled effort.

Thomas then came agonisingly close to levelling the scores when Pinder found her at the back post, but her left-footed volley flew just over the bar.

John-Davis thought she had equalised for the Swans after yet another shot from Chivers was not gathered cleanly, but she was judged to have been offside as she tapped home the rebound.

Williams came close soon after, getting to Hosford’s corner at the back post, but her effort flew over the bar.

However, Williams would make no mistake as she finally levelled matters for the Swans, forcing the ball over the line to level.

Swansea sought a dramatic winner and, with two minutes remaining, Hosford found space on the right of the area but her deflected effort forced a stunning save from Farnes as it ended all-square.

Swansea City Women: Chelsea Herbert, Lucy Finch, Steph Turner (Jess Williams 70), Ellie Lake (Sammy Wynne 90), Rachel Cullen, Robyn Pinder, Chloe Chivers, Katy Hosford (captain), Stacey John-Davis, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Emily Thomas (Kelsey Thomas 66).

Unused subs: Ellie Latronico, Jasmine Guymer.

Aberystwyth Town Women: Margot Farnes, Rebecca Mathias, Niamh Duggan, Libby Isaac, Gwen Jones, Tion Sedgwick, Lily Moralee-Hughes, Imogen Scourfield (Bethan Roberts 46), Amy Jenkins (captain) (Gwen Mason 69), Modlen Gwynne, Lieucu Mathias.

Unused subs: Elan Jones, Kelly Thomas, Aoife Onraet.