Injury-hit Johnstown battle back to claim three points

JOHNSTOWN Under-16 Girls claimed an impressive 3-2 victory at Briton Ferry to remain top of the table with three games remaining.

Johnstown started well, passing and moving fluently, as they put concerted pressure on the hosts. And they went in front when Anwen Thomas’s shot from 25 yards was spilt by the keeper and Betsan Elias fired home from an acute angle.

But the lead was short lived as Ferry won a corner. The ball was halfcleared to the edge of the penalty area but a low shot was drilled back into the net.

And there was exactly the same result minutes later when Ferry again pounced from a corner to take the lead.

Johnstown hit back and earned a free-kick 25 yards out. Flavia Jenkins stepped up and her arrowed shot sailed into the net.

Millie Williams and Anna Heath suffered injuries but both played through the pain barrier.

Chances for both teams came and went in the second half, and Johnstown made a tactical switch with Emily Thomas pushed further upfield to help the hard-working Betsan Elias.

And it paid off when she turned inside her own half, ran at the home defence and beat two players before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards which looped over the home keeper.

Ferry pushed for the equaliser, but the visiting defence stood strong to claim the points.

Team: Carina Sidu, Anwen Thomas, Phoebe Price, Rebecca Harries, Rebecca Plowright, Anna Heath, Emily Thomas, Flavia Jenkins, Elouise Jenkins, Millie Williams, Betsan Elias.