Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2022-23

Wales 1 Finland 1
Following their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign that ended in play-
off heartbreak, Wales looked to banish that disappointment to the annals of history as they
completed the 2022 international calendar with a challenge match against Finland.
The match took place in the neutral venue of Pinatar in Spain where Gemma Grainger
was pleased to see her team take the lead. Jessica Fishlock’s class shone through as she ran
up the right to take the ball around Eveliina Summanen before crossing low across the box
where she found Carrie Jones who was able to tap the ball past Anna Tamminen for her
second international goal.
Wales led at the break but were dealt a blow in the second half when Rhiannon Roberts
was adjudged to have handled the ball. When a Finland player attempted to cross the ball, it
struck Roberts’ arm in a natural position at her side. Despite this, the referee pointed to the
spot for a penalty. Summanen stepped up and put the ball down the middle with Olivia Clark
diving to her left.
Neither team could find a second goal but Wales will be pleased with the draw against
a Finland team who have qualified for four European Championships to date.
Wales: Laura O’Sullivan (sub Olivia Clark 62mins), Rhiannon Roberts (sub Charlie
Estcourt 73mins), Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham, Sophie Ingle, Angharad
James (sub Ffion Morgan 62mins), Jessica Fishlock, Rachel Rowe, Carrie Jones (sub
Megan Wynne 72mins), Kayleigh Green (sub Elise Hughes, 78mins). Subs not used: Safia
Middleton-Patel, Maria Francis-Jones, Helen Ward, Anna Filbey, Chloe Bull, Chloe
Williams, Georgia Walters.
Finland: Anna Tamminen, Eva Nyström, Ria Öling (sub Nora Heroum 90mins), Emma
Koivisto, Tiia Peltonen, Adelina Engman (sub Katariina Kosola 74mins), Olga Ahtinen,
Natalia Kuikka, Linda Sällström, Eveliina Summanen, Jutta Rantala (sub Sanni Franssi
63mins). Subs not used: Milla-Maj Majasaari, Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Nanne Ruuskanen,
Juliette Kemppi, Emmi Siren, Heidi Kollanen, Nea Lehtola, Emma Peuhkurinen, Oona
Siren, Joanna Tynnilä.
(faw.cymru)

Cardiff Wanderers became the only team from outside the Genero Adran League to reach the
knockout stages of the Genero Adran Trophy when they defeated Pontardawe Town 3-1 on
Sunday.
The first phase of the competition is played in a group format with the top two teams in
each group joining the eight Premier teams in the last sixteen, when it is played on a knockout
basis.
With Briton Ferry Llansawel having already qualified as group winners, both teams
went into the match needing a win to go through with them and Wanderers got off to a great
start, Jade Crofts scoring twice to put them two ahead inside the opening half hour.
Pontardawe gave themselves renewed hope on the hour mark when Sophie Topper
reducted the arrears but a minute later, the two-goal margin was restored as Crofts
completed her hat-trick and Wanderers saw the game out to secure second place in the group.
The other remaining game was also played on Sunday and Connah’s Quay Nomads took
top spot in their group by beating CPDM Y Felinheli 9-2. Elana Harley and Kirstie Kural led
the scoring with a hat-trick apiece and they were joined on the scoresheet by Rachel Lever,
Megan Andrews and Jennifer Haynes.
The First Round ties will be played this coming Sunday and Cardiff Wanderers will take
on Aberystwyth Town, whilst Connah’s Quay Nomads must travel to Barry Town Utd.
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