USW Football – Tobias’ Sports Journalism Blog

Post Match Reaction: USW Women’s 1sts v Cardiff Met Women’s 2nds

USW Women’s 1^st Coach Kath Morgan ‘Very Proud’ as her team secured the league title at the USW Sports Park.

USW were confirmed as League Champions after defeating Cardiff Metropolitan 2nds 3-0 with goals from Rhianne Oakley and a double from Josie Day.

Kath Morgan praised her side after defeating near rivals Cardiff Met, “I warned the girls they had to be focused today but also deliver. They were superb, really professional.”

Morgan spoke about the lack of players in her squad throughout the season, “I only had 12 players to choose from, and used my only sub early on because of an injury. That’s the story of the whole year, we’ve won this league with a maximum of 12 players, so I’ve got to thank the girls.”

On winning the title she said, “It’s for them, I’m obviously very proud but it doesn’t have any baring on me. I came in September and knew the role I had and the reason I come in. It was to change the focus of the group, make it more professional and make the training harder.”

“I’m here to do a job and that job has paid off, we won the league without losing a game.”

On the performance of midfielder Josie Day, “She hasn’t played for two years prior to this season, we’ve worked hard with her and she has delivered. To be honest I’ve been strict with all my players. I apologise, but it’s worked, she has been brilliant so has all of my players this season.”

by Tobias Hunt

Post Match Reaction: USW 3rds v Cardiff University 4ths

ROB Bailey hailed his ‘Superb’ USW 3rds side after they defeated Cardiff University 4ths 4-0 at the USW Sports Park.

Bailey praised his side after goals from Danny Maguire, JJ Ogugua, Alex Bevan and Omar Omar.

Bailey was in awe of his side’s performance, “we haven’t had a complete performance yet this season, but what a great way to do it today against the team who were joint top of the league.”

He stated that his side were “superb from the first minute to the last.” USW 3rds were without a number of players today, “we’ve got our main goal scorer Mikey Wicherek out injured. Also, Chris Donovan and Joe Smith are out who are key starters for us.”

On his side’s defensive performance today, “We didn’t look like we were going to concede, Dom Ward was excellent at the back and a big shout out to Archie Thomas and Jake Mahoney who did the holding role in front of our back three superbly.”

He also praised the outstanding performance of debutant Danny Maguire who scored a free kick. “I told him anything centrally he can take, I knew as soon as I seen that angle where he was going to put it. I even called it to the guys on the bench. I thought the goal was the icing on the cake in his performance.”

USW 3rds will play USW 4ths in the league next Wednesday at the Sports Park.

by Tobias Hunt

USW 3rds v USW 5ths

USW Men’s 3rds overcame USW Men’s 5ths 3-0 at the USW Sports Park in Trefforest.

The 3rds started the game at a rapid pace. This paid off in just the eighth minute when midfielder Archie Thomas played through dynamic striker Mikey Wicherek who dribbled past two defenders and stroked in to the bottom left corner.

Three minutes later USW 3rds doubled their lead when influential midfielder Jake Mahoney crossed to the back post where striker JJ Ogugoa headed in to the top corner.

The 3rds continued to dominate and almost grabbed their third in the 20^th minute, Wicherek played David Ings through on goal, who’s shot was well saved by the feet of Tom Ogg in goals. A minute later Ogg pulled off another impressive save when Alex Bevan’s shot looked destined for the top corner.

The 5ths improved towards the end of the first half with chances for midfielders Joe Dallow and Alex Doughty. Dallow smashed a half volley over the bar from a promising position inside the area. While Doughty struck a powerful free kick which just shaved the top of the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time the 3rds were awarded a penalty when the referee adjudged that Wicherek had been fouled in the area. After a moment of confusion Wicherek said that he wasn’t fouled, as a result JJ Ogugoa struck the penalty wide on purpose.

Four minutes in to the second half, 3rds midfielder Chris O’Donovan croseed for Danny Maguire who hit the post.

In the 56^th minute USW 3rds grabbed their third goal of the game, Ogugoa passed towards Wicherek who beat the keeper to the ball and tapped in to the empty net.

The 3rds continued to impress throughout the second half, creating chances. Most significantly when Ogugoa’s delightful flick looked to have set up Chris O’Donovan, but the midfielder smashed over the bar from close range.

The game fizzled out in the last 15 minutes, with the 3rds looked comfortable keeping the ball and playing around the back. Deep in to the 80^th minute the 3rds striker Ogugoa was sent to the side line by the referee after he committed numerous fouls and questioned several of the referee’s decisions. He also got in to a confrontation with one of the coaches from the 5ths team. This was a disappointing end to a wonderful performance from the striker.

USW 3rds are back in league action when they face Cardiff University 4ths. USW 5ths also visit Cardiff University when they play their 5^th side.

By Tobias Hunt

USW Women’s 1st v Coleg y Cymoedd

ON a cold and dampened Wednesday afternoon at the USW Sports Park, USW Women’s 1^st battled out a 0-0 draw with Coleg y Cymoedd.

In a very slow start to the game, Cymoedd kept possession comfortably and played around the back a lot. The first half was played at a slow pace, with no clear chances for any side. Cymoedd looked good out on the wings in the first half. Numerous dangerous crosses came in to the USW box that no one could get on the end of.

The second half was played at a similar pace, with wind and rain obviously affecting how both teams wanted to play. USW centre half Mel Wilkinson came close with a powerful free kick which was well dealt with by the Cymoedd goalkeeper.

The game opened up towards the end, both sides pushed forward trying to find a winner. USW Right back Lauryn Lions was the standout performer of the second half. With 10 minutes to go Lions beat numerous Cymoedd defenders to go through on goal, only to put her effort agonisingly wide. Just a few moments later Lions had another attempt from outside the penalty area which flew wide of the goal.

USW return to league action on the 29^th of January when they face Southampton Solent University away from home.

By Tobias Hunt