Only positives can be taken from Ynys Môn women’s inter-island games experience

Isle of Man 2 (Sarah Wignall 3, Ellie Gawne 37 pen)

Ynys Môn 1 (Catrin Evans 70)

2019 Inter-Island Games women’s final

It may be an old cliche but had Ynys Môn’s women footballers been offered a silver medal before the Inter-Island Games started they would have snapped the proverbial hand off.

After making it all the way to the final against the odds, however, Anglesey’s females may have felt a little disappointment that they just missed out on the big one at Holyhead Hotspur’s New Stadium on Friday.

Two first-half goals were enough to seal the Isle of Man’s ladies their first football gold at the Island Games.

Môn battled back well in the second 45 minutes, but overall paid the price for not creating enough clear chances when in attacking positions and conceding possession too easily at times.

The Manx maidens started strongly and took a third-minute lead when Nicky Davies did well to keep out Holly Sumner’s low shot, but top-scorer Sarah Wignall was first on the scene to convert the rebound.

Môn responded, Ceri Slaney’s cross from the right falling to Catrin Evans, who did not quite connect properly and Sarah O’Reilly was able to clear from close to the goal-line.

The visitors produced the better efforts on goal before going two-up in the 37th minute. Jordanne Greenough was guilty of a tackle from behind in the box on Casey Halsall and referee Cheryl Foster pointed to the spot.

Greenough was yellow-carded and Ellie Gawne netted from 12 yards.

The second half saw Isle of Man present very little threat in attack, with Môn constantly pushing to get back into the contest.

Cerys Gadd was inspirational in the midfield, but chances continued to be hard to come by until in the 70th minute the Manx failed to clear a bouncing ball in the box and 16-year-old Catrin Evans drilled home a superb strike.

Anglesey strove for the equaliser but to no avail. Ffion Owen’s 20-yarder landed on top of the net and Greenough’s injury time attempt from long range proved comfortable for keeper Kayliegh Greggor.

In the end, Môn were not quite good enough to land gold, but no-one will ever forget what they achieved in this tournament.

Môn: Nicky Davies, Paige Williams, Carol Lewis, Laura Eynon, Sara Furlong, Cerys Gadd, Ceri Slaney (Angharad Evans), Ffion Owen, Lexi Crawley (Erin Maloney), Jordanne Greenough, Catrin Evans.