The New Saints moved up to second in the Genero Adran Premier with an astonishing 5-0 victory away to Swansea City on Sunday.
The Swans were unbeaten after the opening four matches of the campaign, but found themselves 2-0 down after just 12 minutes at Llandarcy as Caitlin Chapman’s cross-turned-shot sailed over Opal Rayner before Chantelle Teare cut inside and produced a clinical finish.
The two goalscorers combined for TNS’ third goal in the 36th minute when Teare headed home Chapman’s cross from close range.
Maria Francis-Jones scored her first goal for the Saints in the 75th minute, with Chapman again the provider as she delivered a low ball for the former Cymru U19 international to tap in.
Teare completed her hat-trick eight minutes from time with a delightful lob over Rayner from 30 yards out, completing a memorable afternoon for Shauna Duffy’s side. It could have been six in stoppage time, but Francis-Jones’ free-kick hit the crossbar.
A first ever win at Llandarcy for TNS, but a day to forget for the Swans – their first home defeat in almost a year and biggest ever defeat since the Genero Adran Premier reformed.
It means that Briton Ferry Llansawel have the only unbeaten record left in the top-flight following their 2-2 draw away at Cardiff City – but the Reds were frustrated to only take a point off the champions after conceding a stoppage time equaliser.
A foul on Laura-May Walkley in the box offered Ferry the chance to go ahead in the 18th minute, but Bluebirds goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain denied Lucy Powell from the spot.
However, Powell made amends by providing the assist for the eventual opener in the 36th minute, delivering a dangerous corner for captain Lowri Ridings to head in from close range.
The visitors doubled their lead just after the hour mark as a loose Cardiff pass allowed Walkley to find Alison Witts, who made no mistake firing beyond Chamberlain for her fourth goal of the season.
Staring at back-to-back defeats for the first time in over two and a half years, City came alive to fight back in the final 15 minutes.
Eliza Collie halved the deficit with a close range finish off the crossbar, before the teenager scored again in the second minute of stoppage time as she got a vital touch following a goalmouth scramble.
Barry Town United claimed their third consecutive victory as Ellie Preece’s strike secured a 1-0 win over Wrexham at Jenner Park.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of possession early on and Barry goalkeeper Molly Arnesen starred to keep the game goalless, but the contest swung in the hosts’ favour in the 74th minute when Erin Lovett was sent off for a last-ditch challenge – just two minutes after the defender had come off the bench.
Moments later, Barry broke the deadlock as substitute Preece fired home for her third goal in as many matches. It proved to be the winner as Stevie McCarthy-Campbell’s side kept a third clean sheet in four games.
Barry are now into the top four, while Wrexham risk being cut adrift from the top half as they sit in sixth place.
Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town both picked up their first point of the season as they played out a goalless draw at Cyncoed Campus.
Rebecca Mathias and Shauna Chambers both came close with their powerful strikes, which forced diving saves from Met goalkeeper Charlotte Smith.
The Archers thought they had snatched a late victory when India Shanahan curled into the top corner from the left hand side of the area, but she was deemed to be offside.
Genero Adran Premier results
Barry Town United 1-0 Wrexham
Cardiff City 2-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff Met 0-0 Aberystwyth Town
Swansea City 0-5 The New Saints
