These two teams met for the first time since last season's cup challenge, the atmosphere heating up on an already sunny afternoon for this SWWGL league fixture.
Caerphilly burst out the blocks at the first whistle with the sort of composure they had seen glimpses of in previous games this season, Cwmbran held their own as they looked to defend the reputation of last season’s cup win and hopefully get another today.
Caerphilly continued their streak, a collection of passes resulting in a chance created by Claire Bartlett with a splitting through-ball down the right wing. It was the winger Jo Cox with the first goal, cutting in from the corner of the 18 yard box to slot one in the bottom corner.
Shortly after half time, Cwmbran’s Fiona Anthony won a penalty. The captain stepped up to land a well placed finish in the bottom corner, beating Caerphilly’s goalkeeper and set the record to one-all at 51 minutes.
The game that followed was a physical battle, both teams battling individually and as a team, desperate for the next goal. Both teams were in this now, the clashes, chances and creativity of two excellent women’s sides resulted in a dangerously placed free kick for Caerphilly.
Caerphilly Castle struck gold at 85 minutes, with Captain Claire Bartlett scoring without hesitation to make the score 2-1 to Caerphilly.
Shortly after, a foul on Georgia Shwartz of Cwmbran allowed their captain to pocket a second penalty for the day and take home a 2-2 draw for her team, another stylish bottom corner finish and only 45 seconds to spare on the clock.
An thrilling football match between two skilled women’s sides, in the end a frustrating result for both teams who had showed great class throughout, but a vast improvement on the performance of last week and things to bring back to the training ground and improve upon for next week’s fixture.