Women’s football: Wins for Bethel, Pwllheli and Denbigh, Llanberis and Rangers draw

North Wales Women’s League Division Two
Llanberis 3 (F Roberts 3)
Mountain Rangers 3 (Bohana, L Thomas, Bowe)

Katie Bowe grabbed a late equaliser for a Rangers side playing their first game since last November 10 – a frustrating 15 long weeks ago.

A thrilling six-goal encounter at Ysgol Brynrefail saw the visitors take a 2-0 lead, only for Llanberis to turn the tables at 3-2 before that Bowe leveller made sure it ended honours even.

Although they signed from Llandudno some weeks ago, both Sioned Bohana and Catrin Thomas made their debuts for Rangers.

Recent signing Sera Evans also made the bench, while the visitors had a few carrying injuries. Back from a long lay-off was captain fantastic Elena Julio.

Rangers started brightly against the strong wind and the deadlock was broken in the 16th minute, Bohana heading in a Bowe corner.

Further attempts by the same pairing were kept out by Llanberis keeper Carol Jones.

In the 21st minute Lisa Thomas doubled the lead with a right foot shot following an impressive build up which started from goalkeeper Sara Lacey and five passes later the ball was in the back of the net.

Ten minutes later a wind-assisted kick from the keeper by-passed the Rangers defence and Ffion Mair Roberts coolly slotted into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.

With some Rangers players carrying knocks, the Lamas knew the second half would be far more difficult.

Llanberis pressure brought just rewards when Roberts beat the offside trap to make it 2-2.

The Darans were now well on top and took the lead with only 10 minutes to go, Roberts completing her hat-trick.

Llanberis made three changes and with fresh legs looked to secure a winner.

At the other end, Bowe almost equalised with a 30-yard free kick, but Jones saved fantastically to secure player of the match.

However, with just seconds to go, wonderful build up by Catrin Thomas and Julio put Bohana through and she set up Bowe to tap in her 11th goal of the season to make it three-apiece.

North Wales Women’s League Division One
Corwen 1 (Davies-Smith)
Bethel 4 (Maloney 3, Roberts)

Erin Maloney’s hat-trick helped Bethel to a fourth win in five games which puts them to within two points of leaders Llanfair in Division One.

Seeking to complete a double over a Corwen side they beat 7-2 at home earlier in the campaign, this late kick-off tussle at Maes Tegid, Bala, again saw the Caernarfon-area side perform well.

Maloney’s treble moved her onto seven league goals and 19 in all competitions for the campaign.

Anest Roberts was also on target for the visitors, while an Alaw Davies Smith effort brought Corwen some consolation.

Betty Pickering Cup quarter-finals

Wrexham 0

Denbigh Town 1 (Hughes)

A late strike from top-scorer Rosie Hughes put Denbigh into the last four of the Betty Pickering Cup.

In the 75th minute, former Llandudno striker Hughes was played in behind the defence and was one-on-one with keeper Kat Jones.

Jones managed to block the initial effort, but Hughes picked up the rebound and fired past two defenders on the line for her 18th goal of the season.

Town had the majority of possession in the first half and Dragons stopper Jones pulled off a couple of superb saves from Hughes, one diving low and gathering and the other a reflex effort from a snap shot.

In the second half, chances were more even. Wrexham had three in quick succession, two fired wide from good positions and one where keeper Amber Dean had to dive at the feet of the centre forward.

In between, Denbigh’s Jade Davies hit the post from a free-kick, and Jones dived full length to push new signing Talia Jones’ shot round the post.

Pwllheli 3 Rhyl 0

Pwllheli produced one of their finest displays of the season to advance to the Betty Pickering Cup semis.

It was a class performance from the home side, some labelling it their finest in a long time.

Llio Meleri notched her first-ever goal in Pwllheli colours, star player Erin Parry also found the net and Sioned Mair Jones lobbed the Rhyl keeper with a beauty from halfway.

RESULTS – February 23

FAW Women’s Welsh Cup quarter-final
Llandudno 1 Abergavenny 13

North Wales Women’s League
Division One
Corwen 1 Bethel 4

Division Two
Connah’s Quay Nomads P Caernarfon Town P (Caernarfon could not field a side), Llanberis 3 Mountain Rangers 3, NFA P Holywell Town P (unfit pitch).

Betty Pickering Cup quarter-finals
Northop Hall P Airbus P (waterlogged pitch), Pwllheli 3 Rhyl 0, Wrexham 0 Denbigh Town 1.