AFTER many weeks without a game due to the pitches being unfit, the Vale travelled to Bargoed to play a home game on a 3G pitch in an effort to reduce fixture congestion.

The match was played in a gale force wind and heavy rain showers but at lest the girls were happy to get some football under their belts.The game started with Vale playing with only 10 players but they took control of the game straight away and put much pressure on the opposing defence and excellent work by Chloe Jones and Ellie Wenger produced several goalscoring opportunities but the Cwmbran keeper was in good form and made many good saves. After 20 minutes Cwmbran came more into the game and forced Shanice Donovan deputising in the Vale goal to make four excellent saves. Meanwhile Kelsey Murray having a superb game made several lovely through balls to Georgia Atkinson and Emily Hill who put in some fine crosses which were well dealt with by the Cwmbran keeper. The Vale defence of Gabbie Cates, Niamh Teague and Lucia Attanasio were in total control of the Cwmbran attack and thwarted any attacks thrown at them for the rest of the first half which ended goalless.

The second half started with Vale in total command and the midfield of Murray Wenger and Jones were creating many opportunities but the howling wind made it difficult for Jess Thompson and Georgia Atkinson to control the ball with several shots going over the bar. Eventually a superb movement by Hill Atkinson and Murray split the defence only to see the keeper make a fine save but her poor clearance fell to Jess Thompson who opened the scoring with a fine shot from 20 yards.The rest of the game was dominated by Vale and after a series of corners Georgia Atkinson fired a strong volley into the net from close range to make it 2-0.With the weather deteriorating Cwmbran broke away in the final minute and scored from close range giving the Vale keeper no chance for a consolation goal. Congratulations must go to all the players of both sides for their splendid efforts in the conditions and a special mention to Kelsey Murray and Ellie Wenger who were magnificent throughout.

Next week Vale Girls U16s play Cardiff City in the Rob Lewis League Cup and hope for a similar performance to progress to the semi-final.