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In their opening Genero Adran South match of the season, Cascade Ladies secured a 1-0 win over familiar rivals Swansea University Women.

The pair have met regularly over the past few seasons, with Cascade often coming out on top in close games.

That was the case again when the pair met on Sunday September 15 at the Centre for Sporting Excellence. An Olivia Townsend goal enough to claim all three points for the hosts.

Kick-off:

It was a fast start from Cascade, with last weekend’s impact sub Olivia Townsend involved early on.

A good cross down the left found Annaliese Lewis at the far post with her back to goal. A clever backheel through to striker Erin Parry saw the first shot of the game, but the narrow angle meant a comfortable save for the keeper.

Their possession high-up the pitch meant space in behind for Swansea; if they could time a run correctly.

Captain Charley Haynes looked the most likely to pick-out a through ball, but the Cascade line remained organised and caught the runners out several times.

Parry looked sharp after her early involvement, and had another half-chance when a brilliant touch gave the 24-year-old a yard of space to shoot. Just wide this time though.

The game turned a bit scrappy at the 20-minute mark, with a lot of punting from one end to the other. Cascade keeper Bethan Connolly did her best to keep possession, she played some great balls into the midfield which allowed her side to get out.

A scrappy game soon led to a scrappy goal. A nothing cross from Cascade’s Josie Day down the right should have been claimed comfortably by the keeper.

She dropped it however and Townsend was there waiting like any good forward. Defender Isabel O’Sullivan had a chance to clear, but Townsend managed to nick it off her and score.

This goal seemed to settle the hosts, who were once again pushing high-up the field and looking for the second.

Former Cardiff City player Megan Waite hit one well on the edge of the area, but the keeper was equal to it and tipped over the bar.

With half-time approaching, Swansea did manage to have a spell of possession without finding that final pass. The break would have been welcomed from both though with the tie far from settled.

Second-half

It was the hosts who once again looked the side most likely to score from the restart. Lewis hit one down the right side of the box that was just over the bar.

Any time the ball did threaten the Cascade back line, captain Katie Davies was there to sweep-up. She did a great job all game of winning the first and often second ball.

The best chance of the half for Cascade fell to Chrystalla Moreton. She caught the ball flush on the edge of the area and looked certain to score. It was saved brilliantly by the keeper though and out for a corner.

It took until late in the contest for the visitors to have any chance of note, but it was a great chance which fell to Emily Ilett in the box.

It was a decent enough effort from close range, but straight at a grateful Connolly who collected well and dropped to the floor as to waste a bit of time.

There were a nervy few minutes after that as Cascade just looked to clear their lines, but eventually the final whistle did come and the three points were secured.

The hosts have a Welsh Cup game next against Croesyceiliog before returning to league action on Sunday October 6 against Cwmbran Celtic Women.