Women’s football: Llanfair win but keeper Yasmin is sensational

Llanfair United progressed to the next round of the Betty Pickering Cup with a 4-1 win over NFA, but the performance of visiting goalkeeper Yasmin Mills had everyone talking after the game.

Formerly with Rhyl in the Welsh Premier Women’s League, Yasmin joined newly-formed NFA this season and has produced some outstanding displays in North Wales League Division Two.

Today, however, saw her finest showing yet for the Rhyl-based team as she prevented Division One leaders Llanfair scoring a bucketful in this first round tussle at Mount Road.

Llanfair striker Mary Griffiths, who scored one of her team’s goals from the penalty spot, said: “It was a tough game in tough conditions. Llanfair had the majority of play and plenty of chances, but NFA’s keeper was amazing.”

United took an early lead in Powys when Nia Ellis got the final touch to a cross to tap home.

NFA have come on in leaps and bounds since the start of the season, though, and they equalised when striker Amy Webster found the net.

Llanfair were back in front before the break when Griffiths converted a penalty, firing to the keeper’s left.

Ffion Barnett made it 3-1 in the second half before top-markswoman Gemma Jones completed the scoring, but NFA never gave in and competed brilliantly throughout.

This was the only game played on the North Wales women’s football scene today, with waterlogged pitches the main reason for postponements.

Due to injuries and illness in the squad, Corwen were unable to raise a team to travel to Rhyl and conceded their NEWFA Women’s Cup round one tie against the Lilywhites.

Northop Hall also progressed in the Betty Pickering Cup on a walkover after Holywell withdrew from the competition.

Also postponed

Betty Pickering Cup

Preliminary round: Bethel v Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Round one: Amlwch Town v Caernarfon Town, Denbigh Town v Llanberis, Mountain Rangers v Wrexham.