Cardiff City came from behind to win 2-1 against rivals Swansea City at Llandarcy, preserving their one-point lead at the top of the Genero Adran Premier.
Swansea had a number of first half opportunities and eventually found the breakthrough seven minutes before half-time when Chloe Chivers’ free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Ceryn Chamberlain and captain Jess Williams was on hand to poke home the rebound.
However, Cardiff turned the game around by the hour mark as Mikayla Cook scored twice in the space of four minutes. Lily Billingham played a superb through ball to Cook to fire home the equaliser, before the forward delivered a corner from the left which flew over Swans goalkeeper Amelia Forkings and into the net. Cook now has four goals in three appearances against Swansea this season.
The Bluebirds had the chance to extend their advantage in the 67th minute when Laura Curnock was fouled by Williams in the box, but Curnock fired wide from the resulting penalty.
Swansea pushed for an equaliser but it did not come and their woes increased late on when manager Yzzy Taylor sent off after being shown two yellow cards for dissent.
While the third-place Swans now sit eight points behind top spot, second-place Wrexham continued to put the pressure on leaders Cardiff as Jenny Sugarman’s side earned a 4-1 win over The New Saints at The Rock.
Wrexham took the lead after just eight minutes when TNS goalkeeper Orla Howard parried out Lili Jones’ cross to the edge of the box and Maria Francis-Jones picked up the loose ball to fire home against her former club.
The Saints were level just before the half hour mark when Caitlin Chapman’s shot on the edge of the box deflected past Liz Craven, but Wrexham were ahead again 11 minutes later as Faye Knox’s fierce shot struck the post and cannoned off Zara Gibbs into the net for an own goal.
TNS remained within touching distance of the hosts for much of the second half, but two goals in the space of five minutes from Katie Barker sealed Wrexham’s victory. The striker raced onto to Rosie Hughes’ ball over the top and coolly slotted home, before dispossessing Kay Baker and prodding in her second.
The Red Dragons, who have now won four straight league games, remain just a point behind Cardiff and have a game in hand over their title rivals.
Briton Ferry Llansawel continue to lead the Plate Conference following a comfortable 3-0 win over Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue.
Ferry took the lead in the 28th minute when an Aberystwyth handball in the box allowed Lucy Powell to score from the penalty spot.
That remained the difference between the two sides until 10 minutes from time, when Powell played through Megan Kearle to calmly finish past Sophie Steele. Kearle turned provider to set up substitute Jade Crofts to seal victory in the closing stages.
Genero Adran Premier
Barry Town United earned their first away win since October by triumphing 1-0 over already-relegated Pontypridd United at USW Sports Park.
Barry dominated throughout the contest, but the only goal came six minutes before half-time when Erin Murray played through Beca Thomas to coolly slot past Anna Phelps.
Phelps did well to keep the scoreline down in the second half as she made good saves to deny Thomas and Ellie Gunney, while Jas Turner fired over the bar in another attempt to add to Barry’s advantage. The Linnets nonetheless secured the victory which continues their unbeaten start to Phase Two.
Genero Adran Premier results
Aberystwyth Town 0-3 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Pontypridd United 0-1 Barry Town United
Swansea City 1-2 Cardiff City
Wrexham 4-1 The New Saints
