Women’s Match of the Day: Ashleigh Mills nets hat-trick as NFA hit Town for six

NFA and Caernarfon (yellow) tussle for the ball. Pic: Dave Jones

NFA 6 (A Chesters 3, A Mills 19, 51 & 90; Webster 60, 88)
Caernarfon Town 1

Hat-trick hero Ashleigh Mills starred for an NFA side which comfortably saw off the challenge of Caernarfon at Rhyl High School.

The home side took a third-minute lead in this North Wales Women’s League Division two tussle when Amy Chesters flicked home a near-post corner from Emily Jones.

Rachel Lloyd clipped the outside of the post before Town keeper Tania Jones got down well to hold a powerful Emily Jones shot.

It was 2-0 in the 19th minute when Tania Jones spilled a Lloyd free kick and Ashleigh Mills tapped the ball over the line.

Ashleigh Mills (blue) takes on her opponents. Pic: Dave Jones

Tania Jones saved point blank efforts from Ashleigh Mills and Emily Jones and the score remained the same up to the break.

HALF-TIME: NFA 2 Caernarfon Town 0

My best photo of the day! A poster-like shot of NFA’s Jess Mills

NFA extended their lead eight minutes into the second half when Ashleigh Mills lashed home from an angle.

Amy Webster, who was a stand-in keeper for the injured Yasmin Mills in the first half, played in her more accustomed striking role in the second stanza and made it 4-0 with a byline chip over a stranded Jones which went in off the post.

Chesters missed from close range before Caernarfon’s first chance of the game arrived in the 71st minute, makeshift keeper Emily Jones, who picked up a knock in the first half, racing off her line to clear ahead of the visiting player.

Rachel Lloyd struck some beautiful dead balls for NFA. Photo: Dave Jones

Two minutes from time the fifth NFA goal arrived when Webster controlled and scored with a lovely volley.

Caernarfon pulled a goal back, but the hosts had the last word when Ashleigh Mills brilliantly headed in a Lloyd corner for her hat-trick.

A well-deserved win for the Rhyl side, but a brave effort from Caernarfon’s youngsters who worked till the end.

Experienced keeper Tania Jones had a fine game, and I was keen to tell her this at the end, as well as the fact I’ve been an admirer of her play for many years, but after hearing her comments about me as I waited for a chat, I decided against an approach.

Referee Gary Hayes had an excellent game again. I’ve seen him officiate half-a-dozen times this season and each time he has been outstanding. Same with the whistle as he used to be with the ball at his feet.