South Wales Womens & Girls League

Severn Tunnel LFC 3 Cwmbran Celtic 3

A GOAL by Sarah Bailey, minutes from time, completed a fine fight-back by Severn Tunnel Ladies at Rogiet on Sunday, writes Bob Cypher.

Second-placed Tunnel - who slipped to third with this result - started brilliantly and were a goal up in 90 seconds, hotshot Mikaela Roberts outrunning her marker before firing home.

But despite the setback, Celtic began to mount dangerous counter-attacks, levelled and then went ahead.

It wasn’t that Celtic took control, two of their goals came on the counter attack after sustained pressure, but when they had a clear shot, they took it.

Beth Gammon and Roberts were operating on the flanks with Shauna Poultney keen to test Celtic’s keeper from long range.

But when the visitors went 3-1 up - against the run of play - it seemed like Tunnel were in for a bad afternoon.

But manager Sian Elizabeth Rees introduced Taylor Fitzgerald on the left flank and Tunnel enjoyed a lot more possession.

A fine run and shot by Roberts made it 2-3 and although Celtic, on the breakaway, forced Tunnel’s keeper Chloe Leonard to make a number of good saves, the home side were on top and looked more likely to score.

When it came, it was by arguably the smallest player on the pitch, defender Sarah Bailey, who is not afraid to put herself right in the mixer despite being - in her own words - a pensioner at the age of 35!

She had no right to reach the ball as it was swung over from the left because there were far taller players from both sides in the area.

But reach it she did, managing to nod the equaliser to the delight of her teammates.

Tunnel visit Coed Duon Dragons this Sunday while Caldicot Town Ladies are away to Cascade YC in a Welsh Women’s League match. Both matches kick off at 2pm