Issue 154

Netball sink Aber

12th March 2007

Swansea 62 - Aberystwyth 35

Swansea sprinted to victory in the opening round of the Welsh Cup on Wednesday 28 February against an Aberystwyth side that simply couldn't take their chances. For captain Nikki Maycock it was smiles all round after the game, as she was obviously delighted at her team's performance.

The match started at such a pace and before the Aberystwyth team could get into their stride they had conceded ten unanswered goals, and were on the back foot, and that was where they stayed for the whole game.

Swansea showed amazing shooting skills throughout missing only eleven attempts in the whole game. Goal shooter Liz Northcott was exceptional netting 34 goals and only missing four attempts all afternoon. This was without injured Goal Attack Vicki Williams, so Maycock herself had to play in a more attacking position than she was used to, but still managed to score an impressive 28 goals and missing only seven.

The travelling side were late to arrive from North Wales and it seemed to affect their confidence and temperament, as they conceded several fouls in key areas early on, and it continued for the most part of the game, and it stopped them getting into the game until it was out of reach.

They also struggled to convert many of the chances they created, hurriedly taking their shots when they had time to compose themselves, or attempting ambitious shots from further from the post.

This was the difference between the two sides, as it was obvious Swansea had worked hard on their off the ball movement around the court as they always had a free pass available, and it allowed them to shoot from directly under the post on most occasions.

Aberystwyth did show some promise in the final quarter as they started to get into their stride and created and scored many more chances, and they lead the quarter for the majority of the time.

However, by then it was too late and the damage was already done. Aberystwyth captain, Heulwen Retallick, commented after the game "we were unlucky, we didn't have a full strength team, but Swansea played very well today." Swansea will probably play Cardiff in the next round of the competition.

Matt Cannon