Ladies Team - South Wales Woman's League

2007/2008 Squad

Fixtures/Results 2007/2008

Fixtures/Results 2006/2007

Fixtures/Results 2005/2006             

Fixtures/Results 2004/2005

League Tables/Results (Choose League -

Womens Welsh - South Wales Division 1)

Dinas Powys Ladies in their new kit, sponsored by HKC Lettings & Estate of Barry, also Warrick Pemberton of Dinas Powys Rugby Club proudly donates Dinas Ladies Captain Jock and team mates with polo shirts for the season  all at Dinas would like to thank him and Howard Williams for their kind gesture and they continuing support.

Match Reports:

Cascade 1  Dinas Powys Ladies 2
Dinas end the season with a veteran Strike
Dinas finished the season strongly winning their remaining three fixtures, but this last one was the hardest by far.  Having four of the Dinas team missing due to going on holiday to Turkey, it left a big hole in the team which was clear to see.  The home side gave the visitors an early warning striking the crossbar within the opening minute.  Dinas struggled to find their feet as Cascade put on the pressure. Ayshea Martyn opened the scoring racing through a number of players to slot home the opening goal on 15minutes. Veteran midfieder  Nicole Fowler rolled back the years on  30 minutes as she showed a cool head to place the ball in the corner of the net to make it 2-0.  Just on the stroke of half time Shaz  Zahoor set Nicole Fowler up with a chance to make it 3-0 but the rush of scoring must have gone to her head as she pushed it wide. The back four minus Becky Rees due to illness held firm with Bridgeman, O Brien, Jones and Louise Anzani holding strong.  Cascade threw everything at Dinas in the second half, playing down hill and with a slight breeze behind them. Donna Gaughan and Sophie Manship chased and tackled nearly every player as Dinas were chasing shadows for long periods. Ayshaea Martyn did more than her fair share of work as she dropped deeper and deeper late on to help the defence out. Twenty minutes left on the clock and the home side pulled one back but Emma Harvey did what was called of her in goals and pulled off a number of good saves in the second half, taking no chances having the sun in her eyes. Dinas missed their skipper but lady luck was with the visitors today as Cascade hit the wood work on numerous occasions in the game. Peter John kindly sponsored the match ball for Dinas Powys. Thanks ladies for a great season see you all at training.
 

Tues 22nd April - Dinas Ladies 5  Loughor Rovers 0
In a game that took Dinas 30 minutes to get going  the home start made very hard work of this evening fixture. Ayshea Martyn put the home side into the  lead as she chased on to a through ball to head home, out jumping the visiting keeper. Dinas's second came from a long ball again which Martyn chased down and lobbed the keeper from 15yards. Loughor Rovers put up a brave fight in the first half and gave the home side a good run around, fighting for everything and going close. Harvey in the Dinas goals looked solid throughout and showed how much her kicking has improved by reaching the away sides penatly box on more then one occasion. Dinas started the second half more like the footballing team they are. Pass and move was the orders given out at half time and what a joy they were to watch. Fowler and Gaughan rolled back the years and played with a youthfulness that was refreshing to see. Martyn completed her hatrick early on in the second half with a tidy little finish.  Jock and O brien drove the home side on with good fast passing football from midfield, while Nao and Melinn offered the cutting edge going forward. Donna Gaughan has played for the home side for years without scoring but im sure it was worth the  wait as she added number 4 with a screamer from 25yards. Melinn again struggling in recent games to get on the score sheet broke her drought with number 5. Farnham and Twin replaced tired legs to give Loughor a rough ride for the remaining 30minutes as they linked up well in attack. Loughor Rovers never gave up and for 2 thirds of the game were in it, just very strong defending from Bridgeman, Rees, Jones, Jock and Fowler kept them at bay.  Well done ladies some lovely football a joy to watch.

Sat 20th April - Dinas Powys 1  Blaenavon Blues  3
Dinas prepared to face a young Blaenavon side, and were in  a positive mood following their display against top of the table Caerphilly in the previous game. A strong defence with Harvey in goals and back four of Manship, Bridgeman, 'O' Brien and Jones were confident of keeping the blues strike force at bay.
 
Blaenavon started the brighter however, with the Dinas keeper Harvey having to come to the edge of her box on a few occasions and clear the danger in the opening 10mins. Blaenavon pressed a few times more, and Harvey had to be quick off her line to make a save down to her right, when the Blues forward got past the Dinas defence. Blaenavon struck the opening blow after 20minutes as Dinas did not clear their lines and got caught in possession, the blues midfield pounced and caught Harvey off guard with a lobbing shot that dipped under the bar. Dinas were struggling to keep the ball down, hitting high balls to the forwards Nao and Martyn, who just couldn't latch on to a decent cross.  Jock and Becky Rees were working tirelessly in midfield, to get possession for the home side. Blues 2nd goal came again after some sloppy play from the Dinas midfield, keeper Harvey didn't know whether to catch or parry the ball away and that moment of indecisiveness cost Dinas another goal. Becky rees had a goal disallowed for offside, as Dinas' only chances were coming from set plays. The blues keeper didn't really have a lot to do, as the Dinas forwards were hitting the ball high and wide of the target.
 
After the break, Dinas made some much needed changes to the midfield and started to play football.  But the killer blow came after about 5mins, when the blues forward latched onto a high cross, to make it 3-0. That was the end of the blues chances, the home side kept the ball in the blues half for most of the 2nd period. With the changes introduced, Dinas were the much better team,  and had several chances to score, Nao had a one on one with the keeper but the shot straight at her, while 'O'Brien hit a free kick that went just wide of the post. Dinas lost their captain with a head injury, mid way into the 2nd half, as she collided with one of her own team mates, the two of them were attempting to have a strike on goal but ended up on the deck. Some tactical changes were introduced, with Becky Rees filling in at centre back, helped calm the Dinas back four, and 'O'Brien  pushing up into the midfield to add to a much needed attack. Ayshea Martyn worked hard  throughout the second half to drive the Dinas girls on with plenty of running and chasing back.

Dinas did mange to pull a goal back with about 15mins to go, Martyn notched her 19th goal of the season, but was too little too late, and Bleanavon notched up a 3-1 win

Thurs 17th April 2008 - Dinas Powys Ladies 1 Caerphilly Seniors 3
Mid week games are always a nightmare for visiting teams as in this  league  it involves so much travelling, so much so kick off was delayed till 6.40. Dinas started the brighter and kept Caerphilly on the back foot for most of the first half with a solid work ethic. The wind was playing havoc for both teams and seemed to get stronger as the game wore on. Strong defending from Manship, O Brien, Bridgman and Jones gave the home side the base to work off. Dinas opened the scoring with good work from Farnham slotted Nao through to finish strongly. Looking to keep a clean sheet for the third game in row Dinas can feel hard done by as they were undone by a fluky looping shot out of nothing, giving Harvey no chance in goals. 
 
Ayshea Martyn, Sinead Melinn, Becky Rees and Jock worked tireless throughout the game and looked the stronger of the two midfields not only in the tackle but in terms of football ability. But let again when lady luck is not with you there is nothing you can do, as Caerphilly added two late goals with shots that were some what wind assist out know where. The home side looked to freshen things up putting on subs Gaughan, Fowler and Zahoor. Dinas never stopped fighting for every ball and trying their best to keep passing it even with the wind getting stronger. Harvey pulled off two saves late on as Dinas tried their hardest to get back into the game but again they just had little luck as the ball would not break for them in the final third of the pitch.
 
It was a tremendous display from all involved showing just what a good little team Dinas Powys Ladies have become this season, well done ladies very proud to be your coach.
 

Sunday13th April 2008 - Caldicot Town 0  Dinas Powys Ladies 2

Nao does it  again in the Thunder and Lightening

Dinas's squad was stretched to the limit as they travelled along the M4 to Caldicot. Nadia James Cooper making her first start at right back looked very comfortable throughout. While Sophie Manship skippering the side led by example with strong tackles from the first whistle. To be fair the visitor's should have been at least three goals the better in the opening five minutes but A Martyn fired either high or wide. Caldicot are a very physical side and stepped up the tempo after their slow start. Again and again the Dinas defence of Emma 'O' Brien, Bridgeman, James Cooper , Manship and keeper Harvey showed why they have only conceded 1 goal in 270minutes as their no nonsense defending was very impressive and a credit to themselves.

At the break Caldicot were still in the game with the score nil nil, but a reshuffle in midfield allowed Melinns more time wide to orchestrate the attacking play. Farnham and Martyn looked to go close a few times but the home sides keeper pulled off a few vital saves to deny the Dinas forwards.  Little Nao moving along side Becci Rees in the middle of the park gave Caldicot little time to settle on the ball. Having 25 minutes remaining Harvey pulled  off a great save which spurred the visitors on. As the weather took a turn for the worst, thundering and lightening Nao was put through and she out paced the home sides defence to slot home number 1. Her second was very similar but this time she rounded the keeper and finished from a tight angle. Dinas always looked to increase their lead but for more poor finishing settled for a two nil win. Well-done girls great win in terrible weather  conditions.

Sunday 6th April 2008 - DINAS POWYS LADIES 4  PORTHCAWL LIGHTING 0

As the weather took a turn for the worst with snow and hail falling down Dinas dominated the 1st half. The home side played flowing attacking football that punished Porthcawl. Dinas opened the scoring when Sophie Manship found Jock wide on the left, who chipped the ball over the Porthcawl defence which allowed Ayshea Martyn time to slot home goal number one. Dinas did not stop there as they stepped up the tempo with J.Gaughans powerful runs down the right leaving Porthcawl chasing her shadow for all of the first half. Becci Rees added number two with a sharp turn and powerfully lobbed the keeper from 25 yards out. Dinas just went all out attack and had endless chances to increase the lead but for some good saves and poor finishing.  The Dinas defence put up another strong display leaving Harvey in goals having a comfortable game. Just before the half time whistle came goal number 3, Mellins linking up well with Becci Rees who found Jock on the left who played a ball to the feet of Nao who placed the ball wide of the keeper.

The second half saw Emma Farnham replace Ayshea Martyn and from the kick off threatened to attack the Porthcawel defence.  A forceful run from centre half  Emma  'O' Brien  saw her unlucky not to add to the scoreline.  Shaz  Yahoor came on as a replacement at left wing, and Dinas continued to play some delightful football.  Mellins again played some good football throughout and was unlcky not to get on the scoresheet.  With minutes remaining Nao picked the ball up and ran at the visiting defence, she  took on three players and the keeper and slotted home the fourth.

The visitors never gave up and battled to the end showing what a young and talented side they will be in the future.

Sunday 30th March 2008 - Dinas ladies 0 v 1 Cardiff Draconians 

No fun in the sun
With the sun beating down on Bryn y Don both coaches spent 30minutes brushing  the surface water off the pitch to make it playable. Dinas started the brighter peppering the visitors penalty box for the first 15 minutes, then the away side broke free and scored from a looping shoot leaving Beaver Harvey little chance.  Both teams played some good stuff on a pitch that was getting worse by the minute. The back four of Dinas looked solid throughout the game throwing themselves into tackles and playing the ball out as much as they could. Sinead Melinns was the pick of the bunch in midfield as she put in very good display of football, passing long and short, tackling and very unlucky not to score a few. Donna Gaughan offered the protection sitting in the whole, giving Jock, J Gaughan and Nao the freedom to push on. Ayshea Martyn could have and more than likely on any other day would have scored a hat full. If this was a boxing match Dinas would have won on points but  if it wasn't for the Draconians keeper being in top form Dinas surely would have walked away with three points. The home side looked a very good team on a very muddy pitch, showing how much they have improved over the past few months. But lady luck wasn't with them this Sunday as they threw everything at the visitors for the final 20minutes. Beaver harvey pulled off a good save late on but wasn't really tested throughout, as with the exception of Emma Farnham was the cleanest girl on the pitch.

Sunday 9th March 2008 - Porthcawl lightening 1  Dinas Powys Ladies 2

Pass move and pass the order of the day
What a weekend Cardiff City in the semi final of the FA Cup, Wales win the Triple Crown and Dinas Ladies produced a solid display to take all three points with a depleted squad. Having a strong westly wind coming in off the channel both sides played some great passing football getting the ball down and knocking the ball around well. Opting to stick with their new system Dinas offer plenty going forward and had loads of bodys back to defend. Kath Barncroft opened the scoring after the impressive Nao put her clean through. Barncroft could have doubled her account but was adjudged to be off side. Samantha Saunders did double the lead finishing strongly from 15yards. The first half saw the visitors take the advantage of the slope and wind and played some of the best football in the half. Porthcawl with a young side always looked to pass and move and gave the Vale girls plenty of trouble with some delightful cross's into the Dinas box. Boths Emma's at the back along with Pinky Jones and Sophie Manship proved a little too strong and gave the visitors a strong platform to build off. The midfield of Becki Rees, Jock, Saunders, Nao and Melinn passed and moved the ball ever so impressively throughout, while Barncroft gives you nothing less then 100% work rate in attack. The second half saw the visitors struggle with the wind and Porthcawl moved up a gear. The home side pulled a goal back after 15minutes of the second half  with a delightful curling shot that gave Beaver Harvey no chance in goal. Dinas subs were introduced to keep the work rate at a high level and Shaz and Nadia James Copper chased and tackled to ease the increasing pressure. Saunders chopped and changed positions to give girls a rest with a number of players playing the lone striking role. Barncroft, Nao and Jock had chances to ease the game away from Porthcawl, but the home keeper pulled off a numder of cracking saves late on. Ten minutes remaining Porthcawl hit a shot that everyone thought was goal bound but the Dinas keeper had other ideas and pulled off a match saving dive to seel the 3points for Dinas. All the girls put in strong displays from both teams which again was a credit to the way the game was played from both sets of ladies. After the shambles of last week the Dinas Ladies showed their support for their coach giving their all and playing the way they have been taught this season, and again showed how much they have improved  not only off the pitch but on it also.

Sunday 24th Feb 2008 - Blaenavon Blues 2  Dinas Powys Ladies 1

Harvey has a stormer in goals but just comes up short. 

What a difference a week makes, after the success of last week Dinas played with just the same effort and commitment but just came up short.  Forced to make changes due to holidays, Dinas again showed strength in depth. Six months ago Dinas would not have been  a match for a very good young footballing team as Blaenavon, but their improvement shown this season is all down to the girls hard work.  Following a long journey into the valleys the visitors had a dream start as they were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes for a hand ball in the box. Jenna Gaughan gratefully slotted home. The home side started to up their game and their young legs and fresh approach to the game was a match for the older Dinas ladies. The Blues forced a number corners in the first half as their front runners showed plenty of pace. Beaver Harvey kept the Vale side in the game pulling off 3 top draw saves, and she proved to be the difference between the two sides for the opening third of the game. Blaenavons pressure increased and the home side levelled the score. Ayshea Martyn fresh from a three hour drive from London fired some warning strikes for the visiting team, but on other weeks they would have flown in. Nao and Donna Gaughan battled hard throughout, while Jenna Gaughan and Sinead Melinn tried their hardest to play the forwards in. In the second half Dinas re-grouped and subs Kate Crossman and Nadia JamesCooper made an impact as the game turned into a real end to end ding dong battle and a great advert for this league. Emma Bridgeman stood out for the Dinas girls in the back four and at times was the last line of defence. Young Jocky offered plenty of support down the left, while Nao, Martyn and Melinns covered nearly every blade of grass. The home side grabbed the winner when the Dinas girls allowed the forwards too much space. Instead of feeling down Dinas never gave in and played some nice passing football just with no end product to show. Its a loss but was a cracking match played hard by both sides and a joy to watch at times, with the Vale side showing that with regular starters not available they can still play and be a match for teams in this league.

Sunday 3rd Feb 2008 - Dinas Powys Ladies 6  Caerphilly Youth 3

Six of the best from Dinas

This certainly was not a match for the faint hearted as Dinas set out to seek revenge against Caerphilly Youth who had previously dumped them out of the Cup. After stern warnings in training and before the game the home side started the match on fire looking for pay back. Ayshea Martin opened the scoring after only 30 seconds when she finished coolly under pressure. Never letting the visitors settle Donna Gaughan and Sophie Manship fought for everything in the middle of the park. Caerphilly then started to up their game and peppered the home side's box with long balls but Beaver Harvey pulled off two great saves. Caerphilly managed to draw level but it was short lived as the livewire Nao put the home side back in front. Ayshea Martin latched onto a sweet through ball and made it three. To say the visitors where shocked was an understatement as Dinas out played them and certainly out fought them player for player all over the park. At the back Dinas played with four footballers passing the ball around and out from the back as often as they could. Emma Bridgeman, Emma O'Brien, Jocky and Rachel Jones all looked cool under pressure taking their touch and being first to the tackle. Caerphilly pulled one back right on the struck of half time as Beaver Harvey could only parry the save and caerphilly reacted faster. Early in the second half Dinas gifted the visitors their final goal as  along ball caused confusion. Never letting their heads drop the girls from Dinas seemed more spurred on and it was not long before it turned into the Ayshea Martin show. She  completed her hattrick from an unbelievable angle and then added her fourth with  a volley from the half way line, could it be goal of the season? Samantha Saunders added wideth as Jenna Gaughan was moved into the middle to sure up the park as Manship and Donna Gaughan were replaced after putting in so much hard work. Sub Saunders then had to leave the pitch as a nasty tackle left her with a swollen ankle,  but replacements Farnham and Barncroft were more then up for the task ahead. Sinead Melinn just cannot buy a goal lately as she hit the wood work twice, but luckily enough the vintage Jock followed up the rebound on the second occasion to slot home number six. As match's go this was not a classic but pay back has never tasted sweeter. Thanks girls you were all great, another hard session Thursday for you all, only joking I'm smiling now.

Sunday 3rd Feb 2008 -Cardiff Draconians 3  Dinas Ladies 0

Played on a pitch that was more suited for mud wrestling Dinas Ladies came up short. Having the wind behind them for the first half the visitors should have been out of site by the break but just could not for love nor money score. They started the second half playing nothing like the team of last week and Cardiff Draconians pushed on and scored three goals. Dinas did not deserve to lose but on the same hand its was they sloppy play that gifted the home side the goals. Never mind there is always next and the girls who came on in the second put up a brave display.
 

Sunday 27th Jan 2008 - Dinas Powys Ladies 12 Cascade 0

12 Goals, 3 hat-tricks, New Kit what a start to the new year
What a start to the new year as Dinas smash 12 without reply. Playing in their new kit (many thanks to the guys from HKC Letting and Estates) Dinas showed no ring rust having not played for five weeks. The pitch was playing very heavy so strength was the order of the day as Donna Gaughan and Sophie Manship  stood strong in the centre of the park. Samantha Saunders and Sinead Melinns offered the width and skill. While Nao and Ayshea Martin who are a match for any defence in this league ran the Cascade back four ragged. The home side showed that all the hard work on the training ground paid off as Dinas showed some very good moves involving both fullbacks over lapping and adding numbers to attack. Dinas now show that with organisation and discipline the results  will come. Even at eight nil the home side passed the ball and the movement was first class. Goals came from Ayshea Martin (4), Nao (3), Jock (3), Anna Boyles and Samantha Saunders. It shows how well they played when Skipper Jock who plays left back scored her first hat-trick from defence. Dinas could and should have scored a lot more but for the Cascade keeper who pulled off a number of brave saves and never threw the  towel in. Dinas played at such a high tempo throughout and the defence played their part to give Emma Beaver another clean sheet. The girls would like to wish Kath Barncroft a speedy recovery after having to leave the pitch with a nasty ankle injury.

Sunday 16th Dec 2007 - Dinas Powys Ladies 0 v 2 Merthyr Tydfil

Sometimes you don't get what you deserve and sunday afternoon was one of these occasions for Dinas. Having more injuries than West Ham and Newcastle put together Dinas managed to field a team but lacked attacking options. Merthyr started the stronger as Dinas struggled to come to terms with a more defencive formation but after 20minutes they gained confidence and produced some dangerous attacks. Jock and Jenna Gaughan coped well with the main threat from the visitors as they looked to open up the home side. Little Nao in her first game back thought she had given the home side the lead but the Merthyr keeper managed to track back fast enough to push the ball out. Emma O'brien and Rachel Jones looked in control in the heart of the defence with fullbacks Donna Gaughan and Jock tackling like demons. Merthyr broke the dead lock as they were forced to shoot from long range and it took a spectacular effort to beat the impressive Emma Beaver in goals a minute before the break.

Dinas came out fighting in the second half and were very unlucky not to draw level but when your luck is out there is nothing you can do, as Nao and Gigsy were adjudged to be off side on too many times. Dinas had more  of the play second half and pressed forward looking for the equaliser but were hit with the sucker blow as Merthyr doubled their lead. Dinas can take credit from this display showing plenty of spirit and loads of effort.

Lee Saunders would like to wish all the girls a happy xmas and a merry new year, keep up the hard work you are making me very proud.

Sunday 25th Nov 2007 - Loughor 1 Dinas Powys Ladies 2

HARD FOUGHT AWAY VICTORY FOR THE REDS

Having  a break for three weeks Dinas got back to playing and winning ways with a hard fought victory away to Loughor. Still missing a number of players Dinas welcomed back Jenna Gaughan and Nao to the squad, in the absence of Captain Jock and a number of others. Ayshea Martin opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a shot from 20 yards which bounced through the keepers flailing arms. Kate Barncroft doubled the lead moments later as she latched on to a cross from the left to poke home. Dinas pushed on throughout the first half and peppered the Loughor penalty box at every chance. Bethan Rodd starting her first game at right back settled in well making life hard for the home sides winger.

Dinas carried on in the same vein second half as Martin and Barncroft could have increased the advantage.  Sinead Melinn and Sophie Manship put in player of the match performances from centre of midfield. Dinas played a lot of the football through Melinn while Manship dug in and won countless tackles. Emma Beaver wasn't called on much but still produced the saves when she had to, and her kicking out of hand has more than improved. Loughor pulled a late goal back and gave coach Saunders a nervie final minutes but O'Brien, James Cooper, Boyles and Jones held firm for the visitors. 
 

Sunday 28th Oct 2007 - Dinas Powys Ladies 1 v 9 Swansea City Ladies
Shocked embarrassed you name it words could not describe the feelings going through Saunders head at half time, after seeing his team fall 7 goals behind in the most one sided state of affairs ever. Dinas girls were lucky this was not a boxing match because it certainly would not have lasted the opening round. Everything that they have been working on at training was not there. Movement, passing and talking all missing the only blessing was that it was not raining. At half time there was no need for shouting and screaming just a few words, the girls just needed to be reminded to play football take a touch and pass.

The second half was a totally different team as changes were made with Jock and Shaz moving to  fullbacks letting Dinas played from the back giving Sam Saunders and Sinead Mellins plenty of ball to feet. Dinas worked the flanks and Sophie Manship slotted into the middle of the park to put the effort and work rate back into the team. Becky Rees moving to centre half calmed the ship and Dinas started to play. Ayshea Martin dropping off worked tireless throughout the second half. Swansea may have added to their seven with two more goals (1og and 1 offside lol) but Dinas passed and moved looking more like the side from recent weeks. Mellins and Barncroft caused problems as Dinas grew and pressured the visitors. Captain Jock was outstanding in the second half always showing for the ball. How one girl inspired her team mates on is a credit to herself. For a right-sided player to play left back and drive her team on showed true guts and grit and she was richly rewarded as she scored the only Dinas goal. 

Thank God for half time as some inspired words of wisdom must have worked, hopefully the home side can continue on from this second half showing.

Welsh Cup 1st Round

Sunday 21st Oct 2007 - Pontardawe Town 6 v 0 Dinas Ladies  

Forget the score-line this game was a lot closer than that. Dinas could have taken the lead after 2 minutes when the impressive Sinead Mellins struck the post. The visitors shocked their opponents from the higher division as they looked to get in behind the defence. Ayshea Martin always looked a threat showing plenty of pace. Controlling the game early Dinas midfield of Jock, Becky Rees, Sinead Mellins and Sam Saunders won the ball and showed some solid attacking moves. The game changed though after 25 minutes when Pontardawe were awarded a penalty for hand ball and  slotted it away. Dinas pushed on to draw level but were hit with a counter attack and found themselves two down by half time.  The score-line certainly did not reflect how strongly the Dinas girls had played. The back four led by example with Donnas Gaughan, Rachel Jones, Emma O'Brien and Sophie Manship winning countless challenges and giving the other players a firm platform to built off.

 
Pontardawe scored a further 4 goals in the second half as the visitors had no option but play three across the back as they looked to get back into the game. Pontardawe who are flying in the in the premier division are a very well organised outfit who have clearly been together years  but Dinas proved for at least the first half that they were more than a match for them.
 
To give credit where it is due the girls heads may have dropped but the work rate and effort shown was top class and shows why they have a very successful season in their division. Dinas now entertain Swansea this weekend looking to reverse the two one defeat at the beginning of the season.
 

Dinas Ladies demolished Caldicot without any of their super stars showing just how strong this squad of players really is. Arriving 45minutes late Caldicot probably wished they hadn’t turned up as Dinas put them under early pressure right from the start. Kath Barncroft opened the scoring after ten minutes slotting home after breaking free of her marker. Nao added a second minutes later with a great individual goal which no keeper would have saved . Moments later Dinas lost Nao through a nasty clash of heads (she was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken cheek bone) which for any side is a costly lost. Without their main player Nao, Dinas girls had to step up to the mark and Barncroft did just that adding the third. The midfield of Becky Rees, Jock, Sophie Manship and Sinead Mellins controlled the game creating chances for the front two.

The homes side carried on their good work throughout the second half as Sam Saunders set up Sophie Manship for a goal of the season contender to make it four. It was great to see Dinas keep a clean sheet as Emma Beaver was only troubled on a few occasions’. The defence stood strong and playing footy from the back was a joy to watch.

Dinas are away to a strong Pontardawe Town team who are second in the Premiership next week in the Welsh Cup and look to continue their fine form. All Dinas players and officials’ would like to wish Nao a speedy recovery as she will be sorely missed.

Sunday 7th Oct 2007 - Caerphilly Castle 3 Dinas Powys ladies 2

Missed chances cost Dinas dearly

Co Operative travel sponsor match ball

With ten minutes on the clock Dinas found themselves two goals behind, but never looked worried and still tried to play a passing game.  Dinas actual started the game knocking the ball around very well using plenty of width. The visitors managed to pull one back through Ayshea Martin and were very unlucky not to be level when Farnham struck the bar. Dinas continued to play some nice football but were guilty of missing chances that any other weeks they would have put away. Castle made it 3 just minutes before the break. The second half saw the visitors defend more with Emma Beaver pulling of a few good saves. Emma Farnham got on the score sheet in the second half as the game went end to end early on, a draw would have been a fair result but it was not to be.

The girls from Dinas have come such along way in a few months that they should feel proud of what they have achieved in such a small space of time. Having indoor training will only bring them on more and make for a stronger team.

Sunday 30^th Sept - Merthyr Tydfil LFC 3  Dinas Powys Ladies 7

Three wins in row for Dinas shoot them to second in the league, and for two thirds of this match they looked a really good team. Goals from Ayshea Martin (2), Nao and Emma Farnham gave the visitors a very comfortable lead of 4 nil at half time, but it was only thanks to some very fast reaction saves from Emma Beaver in the opening ten minutes that kept Merthyr at bay. The second half saw Merthyr start the stronger as they found plenty of space behind the Dinas flanks to pull two goals back. Changes were called for and a reshuffle at the back eased the pressure for the visitors, but Dinas played some very childish football for a 15minute period which threatened to allow Merthyr back into the game. After they stopped the flow of Merthyr attacks the girls in red got back to playing football and Farnham increased the lead to five. Goals from Jock and Sam Saunders showed that Dinas had regained control late on. Training is at Holm View at 8pm on Thursday evening be there for 7.50pm.

On a hot sunny afternoon the girls from Dinas made easy work of the task ahead. With still not a full strength team at his disposal Coach Saunders fielded a hard working midfield, which grinded Merthyr down. Rosie Gaughan ran herself into the ground at right midfield and forced the away side back on numerous occasions which resulted in two goals from her hard work. At half time Dinas found themselves leading 6 -3 conceding three poor goals but that’s football. The second half they showed what hard work they have put in over recent weeks scoring five more goals and shutting up shop at the back. Scoring for Dinas were Ayshea Martin (4), Jenna Gaughan (2), Nao (2), Emma Farnham (2) and Sam Saunders (1). Player of the match was another close call with Roise Gaughan and Sinead Melins working hard but B K Crossman did a tremendous job in keeping Merthyrs star player quiet all game. Dinas Powys Ladies would like to thank Mark Daniels of Head to Head hairdressers in Dinas Powys for sponsoring the match ball.

Having no changing rooms and a number of keys players working or away, Dinas faced a stern test against a Cardiff City side playing at a lot higher standard. Dinas found the going hard, struggling to clear their lines for the first ten minutes. It was only the impressive Beaver between the sticks that kept the score line goalless for so long. Pressure told and City found themselves four nil up by halftime.

The second half saw a side to the Dinas girls which was very encouraging, most sides would roll over and die but credit to Dinas they stuck in there. Always looking to play football from the back and not just kicking it anywhere. Ayshea Martin and Emma Farnham chased and harried to the end. While Jenna Gaughan slotted into the back four as if she had played there for years. New players Berry, Nadia, Rosie and Lou showed that having only just taken up the sport they didn’t look out of place against players who have been playing for many seasons. With this attitude and effort Dinas travel to Swansea for the first game of the season Sunday looking to pull a performance out of the bag which they are more than capable of doing.

Sunday 26^th Aug 2007 - Dinas Ladies 2 PenyDarren & Merthyr Valley 0

Continuing on from Thursday evening the spirit amongst the girls was at a high and Dinas started strongly. Merthyr had a very youthful team with gifted individuals but found themselves up against a no nonsense rear guard, marshalled ever so well by young Sophie Ingle as sweeper. Dinas opened the scoring somewhat fortunately from a Jenna Gaughan's cross that found its way into the back of the net. Latest signing Nao showed plenty of pace and increased the lead ten minutes later. Using rolling subs throughout Dinas looked fresh and eager to impress with only one friendly left before the beginning of the season. If the girls show the level of commitment in these games throughout the year then hopefully a top half finish and a decent cup run will follow.

Thursday 23^rd Aug 2007 - Dinas Ladies 4 Cardiff Draconians 1

After appointing new coach Lee Saunders six weeks ago Dinas Ladies have been put through a tough pre season training. Old players have stepped up to the mark and new players have come in to give the side plenty of strength and depth, something that has been lacking in recent seasons.

The first friendly of the season got off to a poor start with a match official doing a no show and the opposition arriving 30 minutes late. It was understandable that Dinas took the first 45 minutes to find their feet. After a stern talking to from Saunders the girls response was instant, with goals from Ayshea Martin, Sophie Ingle, Sophie Gerrard and Emma Farnham. Draconians managed a late consolation with minutes remaining after a mix up in defence allowing a simple tap in from 5 yards.

Back to Top