Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Cascade Ladies suffered their first defeat of the year in a narrow 3-1 loss to Penybont Women in the Adran South.

On a miserable Sunday afternoon at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence on January 26, Cascade found themselves behind after 30 minutes when Maddie Priday’s free-kick beat substitute keeper Chrissy Kidley.

Another shortly after half-time put the hosts in a hole, which they almost climbed out of when Erin Parry scored a late goal.

It was not to be though, with the visitors capitalising on vacant space and scoring a late third to claim all three points.

Kick-off

It took both sides a few minutes to get to grips with the wet conditions, but it was Cascade who adjusted first, and almost took the lead when Annaliese Lewis’ header was glanced wide from a corner.

Defender Clare Daley was doing her best to prevent any chances going the other direction. She did well as a sweeper and showed good composure after winning the ball.

There were a lot of injuries to both sides inside the opening 15 minutes, most notably Cascade keeper Bethan Connolly was forced-off with Chrissy Kidley taking her place.

The greatest threat for the visitors was winger Casey Daniels, she had a good turn of pace and excellent footwork.

Her skill on the ball won Penybont a free-kick about 25 yards out, which was hit venomously by captain Maddie Priday.

It was fairly central, and perhaps questions could be asked of the substitute keeper, but the ball did seem to be swirling in the wind and found the back of the net.

Penybont were the ones who looked more up for it even after the goal, they were pushing for the second as a frustrated Cascade side needed the half-time whistle – which eventually came to their relief.

Second-half

Almost immediately from kick-off, the hosts were up against it again when a Poppi Coggins ball over the top sent striker Mikaela Hood through on goal.

Drawing the keeper in, Hood made no mistake with her finish – a delicate chip over Kidley to double Penybont’s advantage.

Cascade continued to struggle on the ball, perhaps due to the conditions, but regardless they needed to string a few passes together and build some confidence.

Credit to the visitors, they were alive to the second ball and fast to close down the space.

They almost had a third when a hopeful shot bounced up and over Kidley in goal. Luckily it was hooked away by one of her defenders.

Cascade thought they had one themselves when a free-kick was bundled into the net by Lewis down the other end. Referee Dean Thomas said Victoria Boyce had two hands on it though and so was ruled out.

The trailing side were pushing for a goal with ten minutes to go. A couple of half chances led to a string of corners, which were defended well by the travelling side.

Then out of nowhere, a sumptuous move from back to front by Cascade led to a great goal.

Down the left, four or five players must have been involved in the build-up, before the ball came to Erin Parry in the left of the box.

With three players around her and glued to the touchline, she somehow squirmed her way out and slid the pall past Boyce from an almost impossible angle. 2-1.

They were looking to snatch an equaliser with minutes remaining, but it was Penybont who took advantage of the space and secured all three points.

A long shot from Priday struck the Cascade bar before falling kindly to the alert Daniels, who deserved her goal.

Full-time and the hosts could have no real complaints, they were beaten by the better side on the day.

After that win, Penybont Women sit joint on points with Cascade Ladies in fifth.