Gwalia United bounced back from their first defeat of the season in style, seeing off Wycombe Wanderers with an impressive 2-0 win at the 1878 Stadium. The visitors set the tone from the off. Issy Newns was a constant menace down the Wycombe flank, and it took only ten minutes for the pressure to tell, as Molly Kehoe drilled a thunderbolt in from the edge of the box to put Gwalia ahead. The lead was doubled on 32 minutes, Manon Pearce finishing off a slick move involving Kehoe and Daisy Ackerman.
Manon Pearce on the attack. Photo: Ben Brain Photography
Wycombe showed real attacking intent throughout the half, and it was the away team’s defence; Callie Jones and Megan Bible in particular; who did much of the work to keep the scoreline clean. Gwalia, for their part, played with a tempo and sharpness that had been missing in the league loss to Moneyfields. Bonnie Gready epitomised that energy, chasing every ball and causing problems all afternoon; on another day her relentless running would have brought a goal or two of her own.
Half-time: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Gwalia United.
Wycombe began the second half brightly, forcing goalkeeper Benedicte Haaland into an early save to keep the clean sheet intact. Gwalia’s response came on 49 minutes when Daisy Ackerman broke clear down the right, though her low cross was gathered by the Wycombe keeper. Manon Pearce made way for Emma Thomas on 52 minutes as the game opened up into an end-to-end contest, with both sides going in search of the next goal.
Molly Kehoe scores a scorcher against Wycombe Wanderers. Photo: Ben Brain Photography
Haaland was called upon again on 70 minutes, producing a superb save to preserve Gwalia’s lead. Two minutes later, Summer Evans did well to send Daisy Ackerman clear, but her curling effort towards the top corner was pushed away acrobatically by the Wycombe goalkeeper.
Ackerman, a threat throughout, was withdrawn on 85 minutes for Ellie-Mai Sanford, while the tireless Bonnie Gready made way for Anya Grunewald as Gwalia saw out the win.
It was a response that will please the Gwalia camp after the setback against Moneyfields, with three wins from four making the journey back down the M4 pleasant with three points secured.
Full-time: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Gwalia United
