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Cascade Ladies have bounced back from defeat to beat Pontardawe Town Ladies 3-1 in the Genero Adran South.

After last week’s 3-0 loss on the road to Briton Ferry in a cup match, Cascade returned to league action at the Centre for Sporting Excellence on Sunday November 5.

As the rain fell, Cascade settled the nerves early through a Pheobe Ware goal before the hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a header from captain Annaliese Lewis.

Cascade were pegged back briefly when Renee Day scored a penalty shortly after half-time, but the hosts battled well and secured the three points with a Lauren Boyd finish.

Kick-off

The sun shone just long enough for both sides to pay their respects ahead of Remembrance Day, before the clouds formed and rain fell.

It was Cascade who began the game on the front foot. The hosts had won three of the last four meetings between the two teams, but had a point to prove after losing to the Swansea Valley side 4-0 the last time they faced-off in February.

Just six minutes in and Cascade capitalised through a Pontardawe mistake to get themselves on the board.

A free-kick from the left should have been straightforward for Pont goalkeeper Chantelle Jones to collect, but the 20-year-old spilled the ball to the feet of Molly Chapman on the penalty spot.

Chapman’s effort didn’t have enough on it to get over the line, but fortunately Pheobe Ware was in position near the goal to prod home.

Charli Carroll was catching the eye for Cascade. The left-back looked creative when getting forward and dealt with the dangerous Sara Llewelyn well when running the other way.

Both sides were opting to ping balls in behind – whether by design or not – either way, the forwards were struggling to get on the end of passes as the fast surface meant the ball was often skidding out for a goal-kick.

After 20 minutes or so it was all Cascade. Most of the game was played in midfield however, so no real chances to shout about.

The next notable shot fell to the visitors. A slip from defender Casey Thomas surrendered the ball to Keira Harris who tested goalkeeper Bethan Connolly from the edge of the box. Connolly got down well though and saved comfortably.

Lewis responded down the other end shortly after. Her effort was tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner with half-time fast approaching.

Lauren Boyd swung the corner in from the left and found the head of Lewis. It appeared to take a deflection off of Daisy Evan-Watkins, but it was hard to tell. Either way, the ball ended up in the top corner and Cascade were two to the good as referee Nigel Baldwin blew his whistle.

Second-half

Pontardawe came out firing to open the second-half, Rebecca Rees’ strike thundered the bar after 50 minutes.

The ball rebounded to the feet of Harris, who, with a bit of nice footwork, rounded Carroll before the defender brought her down. Definite penalty.

Day stepped-up and leathered the ball home into the bottom left. Game on.

The visitors were on top now. It felt like they needed to capitalise in this spell if they were to get anything out of the game.

An hour played and Cascade were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Pontardawe area after a handball. It was a chance to regroup and take some pressure off.

Much like the first goal, the free-kick from Lewis shouldn’t have been too difficult for Jones to claim, but the keeper once again spilled it. The ball fell to Boyd this time, who made no mistake in making it three.

It felt as though that would be it for the visitors, but almost from the restart did Day find herself through on goal in all kinds of space.

Day already had a goal to her name, and bar the outstretched leg of Connolly, she would have had two. A superb save from the Cascade number one.

The game settled back into its usual rhythm after this chance. Evan-Watkins was looking as calm as ever at the back, she’s one of the best Cascade have on the ball.

As time was running out, there was a bit of a scuffle amongst both the players and the coaches. A shame after a good competitive match, but understandable given the determination of both sides to win.

The spoils went to Cascade on this occasion however. They were well worth the three points, which keeps them in second place and level on points with Briton Ferry in the Genero Adran South.

For Pontardawe, they can be pleased with the way they performed. on a different day they could have taken something from that one.