Dinas Ladies FC 3

Splott Albion Ladies FC 2

DINAS Ladies FC came out on top as they faced league leaders Splott.

After weeks of cup action Dinas got back to league fixtures on Sunday and faced a tough battle against the Cardiff team.

It didn't take long before prolific goal scorer Laura Murray broke the deadlock as she calmly slotted home.

The visitors were always a threat and Leanne Pattermore had to marshal her defenders throughout. Kelly Tuck was putting her head on everything.

Laura Lewis doubled the lead following great work from Nao, Molly Chapman and Laura Murray.

The home side looked comfortable in the first 45 minutes limiting Splott to half chances. The second half saw the visitors coming more into the game and a great strike from the centre midfielder crawled a goal back.

This sparked a reaction and it wasn't long before Laura Lewis finished off a fine counter-attack.

Jo Jones, Nao and Rachel Beare got through a lot of work in the middle, whilst Lewis and Chapman dug deep attacking and defending. The home side had to defend deep for the final third of the match and everyone stood strong.

First change was Demi Bounds replacing Molly Chapman who ran herself into the ground again. Bounds is a similar player and very direct who caused the visitors problems for the remaining third of the game.

Sophie Whittle then replaced Lewis and the young forward was right in the thick of things.

Vicki Elison came on to steady the back four for the impressive Alicia Cox who, for a young player, stood up to the physical side very well. Final subs were Gemma Crowley and Taylor Page who have the experience to see a game out.

But with six minutes remaining the visitors hit a shot from just instead the box leaving Wilson no chance. The final few minutes were tense but Elison and Allen showed why they are regarded so highly with a great clearance off the line in the final seconds.

This wasn't a game to look pretty but a game about hitting your targets and following instructions.

Dinas are still unbeaten and stand proudly at the top of the league with games coming thick and fast, can the Dinas 'Villagers' who regularly were the whipping girls of the leagues for many seasons, go onto to make it a year to remember.