By Ethan Harris and Flynn Galliford
USW 1sts kicked off their BUCS Women’s Western Tier 2 season with a frustrating 2-0 loss against Cardiff Met 3rds.
Ffion Davies’ early strike gave the visitors the lead after some good attacking inter-play down the wing.
USW started with intensity and urgency, but fell behind after being caught out on the left and allowing Davies to curl a fine finish past goalkeeper Beth Harvard.
It was a first-half where the hosts probed in attack – mainly through mercurial winger Lilly Davies, who was a real handful for the Cardiff Met defence – but often found themselves hemmed in their own half.
Katy Morton was a commanding presence for USW, dictating the midfield play throughout and dragging the team up the pitch during fallow periods.
The second half started with some strong attacking play from USW but quick counter-attacks from the away side meant USW defenders were always stretched.
Leah Goodall pushed USW up the field with some neat close control but was met with a strong tackle from Ella Morgan.
Lily Davies, with a great run down the right flank, delivered a quality ball into the danger area only for Cardiff Met to clear after a goal-mouth scramble.
Met then doubled their advantage through Tilly Carpenter who caught goalkeeper Harvard off guard with a low driven shot into the bottom left corner.
The visitors took full control following their second goal as USW tired.
USW will look to bounce back when they take on Met’s 2nds on October 18th.