Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-2 The New Saints: Reds go out after penalty shootout

Briton Ferry Llansawel will bow out of the Welsh Cup after a 2-2 draw losing 4-2 on penalties. 

The first half saw the Reds have more chances but TNS went in at the break ahead.  Oliva Buckland’s goal the difference.  The Reds were pushing forward but were restricted to half chances as Owen forced the only real save from the Saints keeper.

The second half saw the Reds battle to get back on level terms. After 62’ minutes Tija Richardson got the goal to level the scores.  TNS hit back immediately as Molly Havard put them back in front.  The Reds though have a habit of scoring late on and new signing Jade Crofts levelled for the Reds again in the 88th minute. 

After four penalties scored the shootout was 2-2 but the Reds then missed their next kick to give TNS the advantage.  Sophie Phillips then scored meaning the Reds had to score but Rebecca Elliot saved to send the Saints though. 

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Maia Owen intercepted a loose pass and found Laura-May Walkley who was fouled on the edge of the box.  Lucy Powell curled the free kick around the wall but it was too close to the Saints keeper.

Maria Francis-Jones made a run into the box from the right and went down but the Ref signalled for a goal kick with TNS players claiming a penalty. 

Lowri Ridings played a ball from the back and found Owen in space.  Owen raced forward and got the ball into the box but the keeper was able to claim.

The visitors made a quick attack and worked the ball though the middle into Oliva Buckland in the box who shot past Young.

Another foul on Walkley gave the Reds a free kick.  Lucy Powell left the kick for Alison Witts who went low under the wall but her effort went wide.

Francis-Jones caused the Reds defence more trouble cutting in along the by-line.  The ball went to Lexi Jones who shot over.

Walkley was fouled again out on the right and Lucy Powell sent the free kick into the box.  TNS however were able to clear.

Again Walkley was fouled and the Reds had another free kick.  Powell sent the ball towards the far post but it was just over the head of Ridings.

Walkley then got the ball to Witts in the box who then found Maia Owen.  Owen hit a shot from the edge of the box and forced a save from the keeper.

Half time: Briton Ferry Llansawel 0-1 TNS

A long ball from Young was flicked on by Tija Richardson finding Walkley free.  Walkley tried to break forward but the defender was able to clear. 

Then Lucy Powell sent a cross into the box and found the head of Alison Witts.  Witts was only able to direct the header over.

Good work down the right from Walkley won the reds a corner.  Lucy Powell sent the ball into the box and after a scrabble Tijia Richardson was there to put the ball in from close range. 

The Reds were not level for long as Molly Havard scored for TNS.  Rhys James then made a double change as Meg Kearle and Jade Crofts came on for Walkley and Witts.

Brooke Llewellyn won the ball in the middle and found Maia Owen.  Owen hit a shot on the turn but it went over the bar.

Jess Denscombe sent a free kick into the box that zipped past everyone to Meg Kearle at the far post.  From a tight angle Kearle sent the ball wide.

Powell sent the ball over the TNS back line and found Richardson in space.  Richardson put her effort wide. 

It was the same two who combined moments later as Richardson hit a shot straight at the keeper.

The visitors could have had a third from a corner but Jess Denscombe was able to head clear off the line.

A ball into the box saw Meg Kearle have a change but the keeper was just about able to save her effort.

The Reds levelled late on as the ball was sent forward towards Jade Crofts.  Crofts battled for the ball and was able to put the ball home to send the game to penalties.

Full Time: Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-2 TNS

The match then went to a shootout and TNS scored all of their kicks with the Reds missing two.  TNS go though to the semi-finals.

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