Cardiff Medics maintained their promotion push from South Wales Premier 2 by beating Milford Haven 2-1 at Milford School on Saturday (Mar 14) writes Jonathan Twigg, the pink shirted visitors having a key pivot area around player of the match, skipper Lottie Burrows who was pushed for the honour by her team mate, Niamh Macraen, the dynamic central midfielder scoring her sides opening goal.
The Medics side were on the game from the push off, the prognosis to keep the ball moving fluently across the pitch, home goalkeeper Nia Lewis saving smartly from a marauding Ava Thorley, after some fine inter play between Macraen and Isla Winnear. The Mariners pacy frontrunner Jemma Phillips caused a few arresting moments forcing a smart save from Medic custodian Fran Bates, Phillips again plodding the beat to have another effort saved by Bates from a mazy Amelia Coe run out wide, the goalkeeper again saving bravely at Phillips feet after she was set free by Charlotte Davies with a pin point pass.
In between there were opportunities at the other end, Zoe Andrews showing good stick work in setting up Nia Rees Saunders who agonisingly fired into the side netting, teenager Lewis quick off her line to close down the space.
Phillips play saw her as the get out of jail card for Milford, shooting wide whilst Bates was also called into action again with another save, the game having the feel that the first was going to be crucial in the outcome of the game.
Molly Badrock, Megan Davies and Emma Summons showed good endeavour defensively and in the offensive transition, captain Meg Bowen-Jenkins leading by example. Gemma Sandy was another who showed finesse with her stick work, as did Megan Davies, the home side finding it hard on the turntable to move the ball quickly enough to create space behind the visiting defence.
The Medics short corner routine was well orchestrated by Rees Saunders, Macraen credited with the goal as she firmly placed her shot into the net from 8 yards with just over 10 minutes of the opening period remaining.
The lead was doubled early in the second period, Gabby Waite having the final touch after the ball was lashed around after a short corner, Waite keeping control of her temperature in the heat of the amphitheatre. Having suffered a 6-0 reverse earlier in the season Milford hoisted their sails to get back into the game, forcing the visitors back into their defensive ward, Charlotte Davies and Rachel Coe involved, the Medics Ava Thorley nullifying Phillips opportunities and wide player Amelia Coe stepped into the space, reaching the byline as opportunities then arose from long and short corners.
The deficit was reduced from a short corner routine, Summons striking the dead ball and Rachel Coe was diagnosed to set the play, Bowen-Jenkins setting the heart racing as she injected the ball beyond Bates.
Sandy unfortunately limped from the action and replacement Evie Taylor filled the void seamlessly, the Medics happy to nurse the ball in possession to see the game out. The win has put them top of the table with a game to play in the season, the diagnosis for home coach Jo Kirk-Harris may be a tad harder to swallow, her side licking their wounds after the reverse to a side who travelled with 10 players, Milford having three fixtures to play and needing a victory in one of them, to ensure their position once again in the Division.
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