City Women pulled off a sensational comeback by scoring three late goals to stun The New Saints 3-2 and move win away from the Adran Premier title.
Trailing 2-0 after 88 minutes, the Bluebirds scored three times in the space of five minutes to snatch all three points in a dramatic finale at Park Hall.
The hosts opened the scoring in the second minute, after Maria Francis-Jones’ cross was met by Chantelle Teare in the box, who headed into the far corner for the early lead. City looked to bounce back immediately, looking most threatening from set-pieces. Ffion Price delivered successive corners dangerously into the TNS box, with the latter effort going closest to a leveller through Megan Bowen.
However, TNS came close to doubling their lead from a corner of their own, but some inspired defending from Shannon Evans cleared the danger kept the deficit to one. City goalkeeper Ceryn Chamberlain also made a solid save to deny Lexi Jones from distance, tipping the ball away for a corner. This was followed up by Bowen’s brilliant defending, who somehow headed Teare’s shot off the line and away for a corner shortly before half time.
After the break, TNS maintained their pressure and found their second on the hour mark through Kayleigh Baker. With Francis-Jones involved again, she delivered the ball into the City area, where Baker directed the header into the net. But with just three minutes before the end, Price delivered another menacing delivery into the area and Nieve Jenkins headed into the net to half the deficit.
City levelled the score on the 90 minute mark, after Lily Billingham picked up possession, beat her defender and found Shannon Evans, who finished first time to appear to snatch a draw. The game wasn’t finished yet, however. Following another Price delivery into the box, a composed touch and finish from Bowen grabbed the win for the visitors.
The result extends City’s lead to seven points at the top of the league standings, as victory against TNS on Sunday, March 30th would secure another league title.
FINAL SCORE: THE NEW SAINTS 2-3 CARDIFF CITY.
TNS: Bowen, Francis-Jones, Dunkerley, G. Davies, Webb, Baker, Teare, L. Jones, Chapman (Havard 90+4), H. Evans (Thomas 90+4), Lewis. Subs Not Used: Haydn-Jones, Manders, S. Phillips.
Cardiff City: Chamberlain, Long (Jenkins 72’), S Evans, Bowen, Price, Walklett (G Evans 90’), Thomas (Kehoe 60), Billingham, Curnock (Collie 72’), Barry, Olden. Subs Not Used: Phelps.
REACTION | IAIN DARBYSHIRE
After the full-time whistle, head coach Iain Darbyshire said: “I’ve got absolutely no words for this team, for the players, the staff, the belief we have as a group. I’ve never seen anything like that ending in football before and it’s one of the best experiences I think I will ever have, and I’ll never forget it. The resilience of the team that they’ve shown is outstanding. We know for 88 minutes that we weren’t at our best by any means, credit to TNS as they were the much better team today. But when we got the first goal, I think something changes in us, it gave us some belief. This squad is so resilient and have been through so much this season and to do what they’ve done at the end to win this game; it’s left me speechless.
"Resilience is the one word that I would describe this group. To overcome what we have this season, with the number of injuries we’ve had and so many things have gone against us, we’ve got five ro six players that are there on crutches or injured. To do what they’re doing, and be the position we are in, I couldn’t be more proud of them. It’s pure grit, determination and resilience shown from them.
"The title is in our hands. It’s not done yet, but it’s down to us with three games left, one win needed, and we know we just have to match Briton Ferry’s result and hopefully we can get it wrapped up next weekend.”