The New Saints defeated Swansea City 3-1 at Latham Park to win the Genero Adran Trophy for the first time in their history.
The game was only two minutes old when the deadlock was broken. A loose pass across the six-yard box from Caitlin Williams was seized upon by Chantelle Teare, who had the easiest task of guiding the ball past a stranded Charlotte Haynes and into the bottom corner.
Swansea responded well to going behind and had large spells of possession but struggled to find an opening in front of the Saints’ goal. The closest they came was through Nia Jones’ header from a corner, but the ball went wide.
Instead, it was Shauna Duffy’s side who found the next goal midway through the half. After Olivia Buckland slid the ball into her path, Lexi Jones picked her spot and found the top corner superbly to double the lead.
This was TNS’ first major final, but you wouldn’t know it looking at their performance, especially when they added a third goal moments later. Maria Francis-Jones’ cross into the box wasn’t dealt with, and it was Swansea’s Lauren Davies who put the ball into her own net.
It could have been an even better half for Duffy’s side, but Haynes did well to parry Helen Evans’ shot from distance round the post, but at the break, TNS were in dreamland.
Jamie Sherwood certainly would have wanted to see a reaction from his side at the start of the second half, and that’s exactly what he got. TNS dithered in defence, and a loose clearance allowed Stacey John-Davis to sneak her header over the line to reduce the deficit.
The Saints’ three goal lead, however, was almost restored immediately. Buckland was released into space and only had Haynes to beat, but the keeper made a vital stop to keep the Swans in the tie. At the other end, Becca Elliott was equally alert in the TNS goal, as she rushed out to make an important save to thwart John-Davis.
The second half certainly didn’t have as much excitement as there was in the first half, but TNS showed their defensive grit and determination to keep Swansea out to claim their first ever major trophy.
