25th February 2025
STöK Cae Ras
Stephen @StephenJBaker takes a look back at a memorable night in Wrexham for the Cymru women.
After the positive filled defeat against Italy on Friday, Rhian Wilkinson made five changes to that side. In came Ella Powell, Josie Green, Charlie Estcourt, Kayleigh Barton and Lois Joel, with her first start, with Lily Woodham, Mayzee Davies, Rhiannon Roberts, Hannah Cain and Jess Fishlock all moving to the bench. Sweden made three changes to their side who defeated Denmark 2-1 on Friday.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis was another tough test for Cymru. The Swedish team being ranked 5th in the world at the moment, with Cymru 25 places below them in 30th.
The difference in class showed all through the first half. There were large chunks of time when Cymru could barely keep the ball out of their box, never mind attacking. Cymru did hold on longer under the Swedish attack than they did against the Italians, but the inevitable happened after quarter of an hour.
Embed from Getty ImagesSweden won the ball on the halfway line and played it back to their defensive four. They played it around via their keeper, and passed it out to the left hand side. One move and Matilda Vinberg (who was excellent all night) was off down the wing. When she made it to the touchline she crossed in, with Olivia Clark parrying the ball out to the centre of the box. Filippa Angeldhal was there to knock it in.
This theme went on for the whole of the first half with attack after attack from Sweden. But the Cymru defence held strong and, somehow, kept the score at 1-0.
Embed from Getty ImagesRhian Wilkinson made changes for the second half with Jess Fishlock, Rhiannon Roberts and Hannah Cain all coming on. Lois Joel, Charlie Estcourt and Carrie Jones exited. Those changes made a big difference as Cymru got more of the ball in the midfield.
Sweden were still dangerous at times and looked like they would add a second at any moment. On 70 minutes. Stina Blackstenius burst into the box. Her low hard shot beat the outstretched Olivia Clark, only for the ball to bounce off the bottom of the post.
Embed from Getty ImagesThen in the 76th after all the hard defensive work by Cymru, a ball into the Swedish box hit the arm of Emma Kullberg and referee Désirée Grundbacher pointed straight to the spot. Hannah Cain took the ball and stood on the penalty spot until all the fuss died down when she handed it over to Kayleigh Barton. After a deep breath, she smashed it down the centre of goal into the top of the net. The 6,000+ in attendance blew the roof of Cae Ras.
A few minutes later Ceri Holland had a chance to win it when she broke into the box only to see her shot saved by Jennifer Falk in the Sweden goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs usual there was a nail-biting end to the game with four minutes added on. The entire Cymru team defended Clark’s goal for those four minutes, gaining their first point of this year’s Nations League.
Excellent preparation for Cymru’s first tournament in the summer, drawing against a team that has been to 20 major tournaments. The entire team deserves credit for this draw. Hard to pick a Seren y Gêm. Da iawn Rhian and the team.