By James Dodd
UNIVERSITY of South Wales 2nd team had their cup hopes dashed after an agonising 2-3 defeat against Winchester.
The match started evenly, with both sides having very few opportunities to take the lead.
Nevertheless, a fantastic strike by Jordyn Shave resulted in the away side going ahead.
USW did start to create chances, with Abi Gallant having the best for the hosts in the early stages.
Yet the hosts went further behind when Winchester’s Kez Winter hammered home a volley.
The response could not have been better from USW as Lilly Thomas crashed home a fantastic strike to bring the home side right back into the game.
But the latter stages of the first half were dominated completely by the visitors, with Winter having two good chances to get a brace for herself.
The pressure eventually told, though, with Shave getting a second goal and giving Winchester a healthy lead at the halfway stage.
The start of the second half saw USW get back into the match again, as Thomas bagged a brace to haul the score back to 2-3.
Despite this, Winchester showed their class by dominating much of the remainder of the match.
Winter had another threatening run, which resulted in her side receiving a flick.
Jess White took it, but a great save by USW stopper Ellie Dennis prevented any further score.
One to watch: Kez Winter
She was a constant threat for Winchester in attack in both the middle and on the left. She was incredibly unlucky not to add to her one goal.