SWFA Cup semi final

Vale Girls 2 - PILCS 1

THE Vale Ladies and Girls Football Club had a day to remember at the weekend when their Under-14 team qualified for the South Wales FA Cup Final with a 2-1 semi-final victory over PILCS.

This was always going to be a tightly contested encounter with both teams unbeaten this season going into the match. Both squads also boast numerous players that represent the national and regional Wales squads which set the tone for an entertaining game on the new 3G surface installed recently at host, Jenner Park Stadium.

Vale started on the front foot dominating possession without forcing clear cut chances. Erin Strikers, Erin Prynne and Grace Horrell were a constant threat to the PILCS defence with their pace and power and it was from a Horrell cross that almost gave Vale the lead when Prynne glanced a header just wide of the far post.

Holly Jenkins, having a fine game on the left of midfield, put in numerous set plays to good effect but Vale failed to capitalise and almost paid the price as the visitors went inches away from taking the lead with their first threat on the Vale goal.

A fine cross from the left beat the Vale defence at the back post which found the PILCS striker who looked odd on to score but a miraculous recovery from Vale captain Daisy Connolly saw the ball cleared off the line.

That was to be PILCS only threat of the first period as the Vale continued to press for the opening goal and half-way through the first half they squandered a glorious opportunity. The impressive Sian Rees picked up the ball from just outside the penalty area and beat two players before striking at goal but a tremendous save from the visiting goalkeeper frustrated the home side.

Rees also went close on the stroke of half-time but her dipping shot from 20 yards fired just over the bar.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Vale on top and pressing for the opening goal. Kate Spargo and Grace Corne battling hard in central midfield and the defensive unit of Rebecca Gentles, Chloe Moggridge, Daisy Connolly and Mae Atkins rarely troubled.

Vale finally got the breakthrough 12 minutes into the second half when some good build up play saw the ball fall to Grace Horrell who calmly shrugged off a challenge before slotting the ball home past the goalkeeper.

With Vale now in the ascendancy PILCS started to take more risks committing players forward but this left them susceptible to Vale pace in attack. The visitors almost broke through down the left hand side on the counter attack but a fantastic recovery tackle from Anais Trinci halted their progress.

With PILCS rarely threatening the Vale goal it came as a shock when the equaliser arrived and it was a moment of real quality. Lucy Attwood struck a free kick from 25 yards that looped over the Vale defence and goalkeeper to land into the net at the far post with 10 minutes remaining.

With the match all square once more it was going to be a test of who had the belief to go on and win the game to avoid extra time and it was the Vale who stood up to the challenge as they pressed PILCS back in search of a winner.

It duly came six minutes from time when Grace Corne broke up play in midfield and released Prynne down the right hand side and she cut infield beating the defender before placing the ball under the goalkeeper to put the hosts into a 2-1 lead.

Substitutes, Olivia Townsend and Sophie Hawkins entered play for the final moments of the game which also saw seven minutes of injury time played. The Vale player’s defender with maturity and resilience in the final minutes of the game and Prynne went close to adding a third Vale goal right at the end with a shot that went just wide of the mark.

A great battling display from both teams with a deserved win for the Vale who will play Cardiff City Ladies in the final in early 2016.