Welsh women raise the bar but lower the drawbridge

David Collins, one of our team of South Wales based football writers, spent a few days in and around Jane Ludlow’s Welsh international camp recently, as interest in the women’s game continues to grow in Wales.

I have been taking increasing interest in the women’s game lately.

My first outing came in 2014, as a strong English “Lionesses”side put Wales to the sword with some gusto to book their place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a game to spare via a thumping 4-0 victory against Wales in Cardiff.

Goals in the final stages from Eni Aluko, Laura Bassett and the impressive Lianne Sanderson added to Karen Carney’s 16th-minute opener to clinch the honours. 3,581 were in attendance by the way, a record for a women’s game in Wales.

Since then, Wales have gone from strength, though have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships. They are currently ranked 35th in the world and 20th in Europe. Memorable clashes with Russia and, again, England, spring to mind.

For this game, against the highly fancied Norwegians, the FAW certainly upped the Ante.

The game was switched from the modest “4th Division” surroundings of Newport’s Rodney Parade, to the 33,000 seater environment of the Cardiff City Stadium, where Gareth Bale, Ramsey and others had brought us so many historic nights.

Live coverage on BBC2 Wales & Radio Wales announced the increased expectation. At the pre match press conference, manager Jane Ludlow, agreed with the assertion that the fixture would put the women’s game in a new Shop Window. No pressure then.

The FAW continued to crank up the hype though.

In an empty, Covid restricted stadium, the anthem boomed out, 33,000 pre recorded voices bringing tears to the eyes.

The Welsh girls were up for it.

Jane Ludlow

Talismanic Jess Fishlock shaved the bar during the opening exchanges. Kayleigh Green was full of running. Dogged contributions at the back from Sophie Ingle. Hughes, Rowe and O’Sullivan also contributed.

A draw would be no disgrace against the former European, World and Olympic champions.

Somehow, though, you feared for Wales. Could they keep up their energy levels against these Slick Scandinavians? Fierce challenges were put in by the Welsh. Tash Harding working hard up front to ease the pressure. It was backs to the wall stuff.

The second half continued in similar fashion.

Wales hung in there, but it was reminding me increasingly of Burnley v Spurs. Burnley (Wales) were battling but you just knew that Spurs (Norway) were always likely to grab a goal.

Wales were reduced to speculative, though ineffective long-range efforts in cheeky attempts to lob the Nordic keeper from 40-50 yards. Wales needed a foot on the ball but all we got was the firm blonde heads of Ingle and Hughes at the back. Thorsnes was a constant threat though Ingle didn’t flinch from a challenge.

A point would put Wales on course for the Play Offs and they stuck to their task. Resolute defence hoping for a goal on the counter.

But it was coming.

Kayleigh Green lost possession in midfield and the rampaging Maanum surged forward with the ball, before blasting it home.

Both sides made changes, the impressive Hughes being sacrificed to boost the attacking options.

On 75 minutes, a rare moment of composed play almost gave Rachel Rowe a chance. From the resulting corner Jess Fishlock fired inches wide.

Suddenly it was all Wales. Young Lily Woodham replaced Ward and immediately pepped things up.

Wales last chance elapsed when a corner was headed over.

It had been a mighty effort. So near yet so far. A win for Northern Ireland v Belarus had further dented Wales’ qualification hopes. It finished Wales 0 Norway 1.

The extent of Welsh disappointment demonstrating just how far Wales had come.

Afterwards, Jane Ludlow spoke of her “anger” during the post match press conference at the way the goal was conceded. Not disappointment: Anger. She blamed sloppy play.

Sophie Ingle looked heartbroken as she faced a sympathetic media but more seasoned watchers how much longer we would see her line up alongside Fishlock, Harding and even Kayleigh Green.

A more reflective Ludlow was asked if her disappointment went to show just how far Wales have come and if she took comfort from that?”

“Not right now it doesn’t” she bluntly replied but acknowledged that the girls had done Wales proud.

The goods in the shop window were untarnished. It had ended in tears. But this is Welsh football. It often does.

“We hope we can encourage more girls into the game” declared Jane.

Indeed. Jane is raising the bar….but lowering the drawbridge.
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