Left-foot specialists in North Wales Women’s football

There’s something especially elegant about a footballer who dazzles with their left foot.

On the North Wales women’s football scene currently, we have several who can score a stunning goal, deliver a perfect cross or provide a perfect pass with their left.

Here’s just a few….

Katie Louise Bowe

Best of them all.

From 20, 30 or 40 yards, she possesses the power and direction with her mighty left peg to beat any keeper in the Welsh game.

She scores direct from corners (I’ve seen her do so live twice) and can switch defence to attack with one killer pass.

Played the ball of the season at Rhyl a couple of seasons back when she sent the most sublime of passes from the centre out to the right for Kelsey Davies to run on and score.

Her highest profile goal came in the Welsh Cup Final of 2015-16 when a smart passing move from the left saw Katie put Llandudno 1-0 up against Cardiff City FC Women with an absolute beauty from 20 yards.

She scored many better though, one from a free kick versus Rhyl at Maesdu Park standing out in my memory. An absolute rocket.

Ashleigh Mills

Ashleigh’s left foot is like a shiny new golf club assured of landing the ball right in the middle of the green, 10 yards from the flag, from its first shot.

Her goals run through my mind in sequence almost.

There was the one this season, a very special long distance winner against Mountain Rangers for her new club NFA.

Ash became only the second Rhyl player to score a hat-trick in the Welsh Premier when she delivered a hat-trick of left-foot goals in a 5-0 win versus Caernarfon Town (the aforementioned Bowe on the other side that day).

And what about the 2014-15 FAW Under-16 Girls Welsh Cup Final?

The fantastic Prestatyn team whipped Coed Du Dragons 4-0 at Latham Park and Missile Mills scored two of the best goals you will see.

The first one, a dipping effort from 25 yards, was a cracker but some fault could have been pointed at the keeper.

However, Ash’s second was an absolute Exocet from the left-hand side which no keeper could have stopped.

A legend was born – and the legend keeps on giving….

Catrin Evans

The best young prospect in North Wales also possesses a deadly left foot.

Her great finish for Ynys Môn in the 2019 Inter-Island Games final against Isle of Man was certainly evidence of that.

A consolation goal maybe in a 2-1 defeat, but Anglesey had performed marvels to get to the final after previously having no form to speak of in the Games.

When she’s breaking down the left, Catrin makes it appear the ball is glued to her foot, like Ryan Giggs. Her ability to turn in tight spaces is astounding too.

I’m sure the Wales men’s manager would admire her skills. It’s certainly time for the women’s boss Jayne Ludlow to give the young northern talent a chance.

Jasmin Dutton

From a potential Wales international we switch attention to a proven one.

Jasmine, who hails from Kinmel Bay, was with Tranmere Rovers Ladies from 2000-11, where her left-footed qualities earned her plenty of recognition.

She represented Wales at under-15, U-17, U-19 and full senior levels from 2003-11. The North Wales ace won eight full caps, scoring once.

After a successful stint in America, Jasmin returned to Welsh football with Llandudno in 2018-19.

This season she joined newly-formed Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Still just 27, she is a left-footed specialist, with precision delivery, but her all-round skills shine.

Anna Jones

Midfield battler who also has a mean left foot.

She scored a good few goals in her days with Caernarfon Town, where she won the North Wales League double in 2016-17, and then at Llandudno in the Welsh Premier.

In many ways, although left-footed predominantly, that doesn’t define Anna because as a player as there is so much more to her game.

She will never stop working from first whistle to last, puts in many strong tackles, and is also capable of using her right foot to good effect.

Jess Mills

Keeping it in the family, let’s go back to the footballing Mills’s.

We’ve marvelled over Ash’s left-foot qualities, but her 16-year-old sister Jess is a chip off the same block.

The younger Mills has emerged in senior football this season as a player for newly-formed NFA of North Wales League Division Two.

And Jess has quickly shown her class as a strong defensive left-back and an attacking wing-back, her ability to take players on really standing out.