EuroHockey Trophy

29th May  v Siauliai 1 - 5 Loss

Swansea Ladies lost the opening game of this year’s European campaign in the B Division by five goals to one against Siauliai Gintra Universitetas of Lithuania. Swansea exerted all the early pressure in the game, dominating both possession and territory, and went very close to scoring the first goal of the game on 11 minutes when Cat Budd drove into the D and found Bridgette Radice free on the left only for Bridgette to fire the ball just wide of the right post. The Lithuanians were very quick on the break and when the ball was turned over by the Swansea defence on 18 minutes a snap shot nearly found the target. On 20 minutes Robyn Wilford intercepted a stray pass and worked the ball up the left winning a free hit. Natalie Blyth drove the ball goalwards and Robyn almost got on the end of it. Soon after, Sian Fowler was impeded as she drove into the circle to win Swansea’s first penalty corner. Natalie struck the ball hard and the keeper went down well to her left to edge the ball passed the left post. Then, after being really cautious in the first 25 minutes as a result of Swansea’s pressure, the Lithuanians broke down the middle and Fran Williams did really well to track back and tackle the player free on goal. They maintained the pressure and as their dangerous striker, Dovile Jakaite, went down in the D as a result of a tackle the umpire awarded a penalty stroke. Jakaite picked herself up to convert and give the Lithuanians a surprise lead on 27 minutes. With Swansea still unsettled by the turn of events, the Lithuanians gained possession and, through quick transfer of the ball, freed up Jakaite who struck the ball high into the roof of the net on 28 minutes. With confidence soaring, Siauliai heaped the pressure on Swansea and on 32 minutes a quick break down the left and some very sharp interpassing to eliminate the Swansea defenders enabled Jurate Juodyte to push the ball into the goal on the near post to make the score 3-0. At half time the Swansea players were still upset by the award of the flick and the score in no way reflected the general flow of the game.

The second half saw the introduction of young goalkeeper Laura Davies who was into action in the first minute making an excellent save in a one on one situation allowing Jaynaya Boyles to clear the ball from the goal-line. The Lithuanians, now finding each other very well with their passing, forced Swansea very much onto the back foot and Angharad Griffiths and Danielle Jackson saw a lot of action along with Natalie and Fran at the heart of the defence. However, the pressure eventually told and, when a ball went loose to Jakaite she swung round and sent the ball flying past Laura on 48 minutes. Within two minutes, Swansea’s attempt to retain possession deep in their half went awry as a pass was intercepted. The player drew Laura out of position and presented the ball for Ina Paulaviciute to push it home on 50 minutes. Gradually Swansea found their early rhythm and Danielle initiated an attack down the right. Jennie Ellis fired the ball in hard across the goal for Bridgette to crash it into the net on 63 minutes. In the closing minutes Rebecca Treharne almost worked herself free in front of goal but Siauliai broke quickly from defence, forced a PC and the well executed drag flick was expertly tipped over the bar by Laura.  Finally, in the last minute, a stinging shot on the near post drew another fine save from the young Swansea keeper.

Despite the outcome, Swansea did match their opponents for much of the first half and, on the credit side, the younger players gained valuable experience of the intensity of European competition.

Thanks to Rob Fowler for the report