Swansea City Ladies got their Adran Premier title defence off to a winning start thanks in part to a stunning goal from striker Stacey John-Davis.
Playing at the Swansea.com Stadium for the first time, the reigning champions of Welsh domestic women's football's top competition hosted last season's runners-up Cardiff Met on Sunday in front of a record crowd of 1,426 (the highest attendance at a women's domestic game in Wales).
Broadcast live on S4C's Sgorio, the Archers thought they’d opened the scoring in the first half but captain Steph Turner’s goal was ruled offside. Instead it was the Swans who went ahead in the 41st minute with Katy Hosford slotting home, with Stacey John-Davis then doubling their lead early in the second half with a stunning goal to make it 2-0 with three points sealed.
"Mercurial by Stacey John-Davis," commentator Mike Davies said. "What a superb finish. Take a bow, a la Eric Cantona."
"That was so cheeky," former Wales international Katie Sherwood said. "She only has one thing on her mind, she looks up, aiming for that back post, and wow, what a finish. This is why she is the leading goal-scorer in the league. She can produce moments of magic like that."
Speaking ahead of their opener, John-Davis said: "A lot of us are Swansea City fans through and through so this is a dream for us. To be able to play in the stadium of the club you support is massive."
The domestic record-breaking match comes as Gemma Grainger's Wales side are set to play in front of their own record-breaking crowd of more than 11,000 when they host Slovenia on Tuesday, September 6 (7.45pm kick-off) at Cardiff City Stadium, where a point will send them through to the Women's World Cup play-offs.
Elsewhere across the Adran Premier's opening weekend, Libby Isaac scored the first goal of the league for Aberystwyth after just three minutes against newly-promoted Abergavenny. The Seasiders added a second just over 10 minutes before the end of the game, with Rebecca Mathias getting on the scoresheet before Abergavenny’s Lisa Bird replied instantly to make it 2-1, but they couldn’t find a second and Aberystwyth went home the victors.
At Cardiff International Stadium, Cardiff City faced Pontypridd United in their first match under manager James Fishlock, who is in charge while Fern Burrage-Male is on maternity leave. The Bluebirds were keen to put a marker down for the season and Danielle Broadhurst’s opening goal was certainly that. A second from Pheobe Poole in the second half confirmed the win.
Last season’s two newcomers Barry Town United and TNS faced off, with The New Saints going ahead in the 11th minute before Barry's Emily Nicholson pulled one back five minutes before half-time. TNS could have retaken the lead when they were awarded a penalty just three minutes after the break, but this was missed and Barry’s Mackenzie Olden added two in extra time to not only win the game, but also end the day top of the Genero Adran Premier table on goal difference after round one.
