League Cup semi-final

Aberdare Ladies FC 0 v Dinas Powys Ladies FC 3

NORMAL teams prepare by having a good solid training session working on tactics formations and instructions for such a massive game. The same can't be said for the ladies of Dinas Powys, after a solid fitness session in the week at Porthkerry they had a drinking session the night before to build an unbreakable team spirit.

Travelling to the semi-final with sore heads and a belief that they could pull off a shock result, the villagers started at a very high tempo and rarely took their foot off the gas.

Dinas had an early scare when Lea Phillips was caught in between coming for a through ball or staying, in the end she did her best and prevented the striker getting a clear shot off bringing the striker down outside the box for a free kick that sailed high over the bar.

Emma Lewis set the standard as she showed why she is regarded as a strong defender with a very hard tackle in the opening 10 minutes that lifted the visitors from then on.

Dinas pushed on and were playing some great football high up the park with a lot of running off the ball, the centre midfield Joanne Blackman-Jones and Samantha Saunders were able to win a lot of second ball and kept the pressure on.

Molly Chapman was a real thorn in the Aberdare's defence as she made run after run and never gave the home side time to play. When Rachel Beare was able to play Chapman in the Aberdare 'keeper was forced to take her out for a penalty.

Skipper Leanne Pattemore coolly placed it away high and right to put Dinas in front on 15 minutes. Instead of sitting back Dinas upped their game looking for the second. This came as Rachel Beare cut in to slot home from 20 yards.

Seeing the half out Pattemore, Cordy, Elison and Lewis had to be at their very best and they delivered a no nonsense approach when defending as they stuck together as a solid unit and provided great protection for Lea Phillips as well as a great platform to play from.

After a little reminder at the break that nothing was won Dinas came out and produced a very disciplined display as every Dinas girl worked tirelessly for the cause.

Jodie Bowles and Laura May Lewis showed their strengths in the second half stopping Aberdare from creating anything wide and setting the red and blacks on the front foot time and time again.

As the game moved on the villagers took complete control with Saunders and Jones pulling the strings.

Molly Chapman thought she had increased the lead striking the post, then moments later Pattemore smashed a 25 yard free kick against the underside of the bar only for it to bounce out.

Dinas welcomed back Stephanie Garner-Joel back to club for her second spell and she made an impressive impact coming on for Emma Cordy who had a fine performance in the heart of the defence.

It was only a matter of time before the third goal came as the villagers kept a relentless pace and tempo. Molly Chapman managed to get to the ball before the advancing Aberdare 'keeper and calmly looped in from 20 yards. This was nothing more than the young Dinas striker had deserved.

All Dinas had to do now was run the clock down and they showed just how much they have improved at game management.

Beare and Bowles who put in a shift that got them a big round of applause were replaced by Danielle Speight and Louise Bickel. Speight nearly made it four in the final minutes as the 'keeper spilled a Lewis shot across her path.

Final score was 3-0 to Dinas Ladies who now await to see who they have in the Final on April 17 at Taffs Wells ground.