Gwalia United’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end as they were beaten 2-1 by leaders Moneyfields Women in an energetic game played at USW Sport. The result leaves Moneyfields top of the table.
Moneyfields were the brighter side early on, winning four corners inside the first five minutes and seeing an early header drift wide. Gwalia goalkeeper Benni Haaland was forced into a smart save from a goalmouth scramble on six minutes, before the visitors again went close from a corner.
The hosts settled and took the lead in the 16th minute. Callie Jones did well to create the opening, and Kylie Nolan finished calmly to send the home crowd into raptures.
Moneyfields hit back on 25 minutes, level through an own goal after Gwalia failed to clear their lines from a corner. Manon Pearce went close to restoring Gwalia’s lead with a deflected effort, and there was a nervy moment before the break when Pearce collided heavily with the Moneyfields goalkeeper after being played clear , but the referee waved play on.
Moneyfields turned the game around after the interval, Libby Mary Hester scoring to put the visitors 2-1 up. Moneyfields were good value for their lead, with many chances being created before their goal.
However the second goal proved to be a huge catalyst for Gwalia as they pushed hard for an equaliser in a frantic finish. The final fifteen minutes saw wave after wave of Gwalia attack. They went closest through Bonnie Gready, whose effort cleared the crossbar in the final minutes, while further chances involving Kylie Nolan and Daisy Ackerman were scrambled away in the box.
Despite a stirring late rally, Gwalia could not find a way through, and Moneyfields held on to move further clear at the top.
Gwalia United 1-2 Moneyfields Women
Gwalia: Nolan 16′
Moneyfields: og 25′, Hester
