Women’s Welsh Cup classic: Rhyl 3 Caernarfon Town 2 (October 2016)

Rhyl 3 (Harrison 15, Jones 78 and 90)
Caernarfon Town 2 (Thomas 28, Owen 46)
FAW Women’s Welsh Cup round one – October 2016

Sixteen-year-old super sub Emily Jones struck twice in the latter stages to earn Welsh Premier side Rhyl a hard-fought cup success over North Wales League leaders Caernarfon at the Corbett Sports Stadium.

The hosts made the better start and took a 15th minute lead when Sue Harrison was put through on goal and displayed composure before slipping the ball past Cofis keeper Elena Julio.

Caernarfon took some time to settle but when they did make their mark it was with a special goal.
In the 28th minute Ffion Owen won possession with a fierce midfield tackle and passed to Catrin Thomas.

Thomas then combined with Heledd Evans on the right before the former Llandudno player led the home defence a merry dance, working her way into the box and netting right-footed for her 19th goal this season.

The lively Paige Williams forced Julio into a superb diving save from a right foot piledriver and the Town keeper held the follow up from Ashleigh Mills.

Rebecca Bannister twice went close for Rhyl from long range and Mills was denied by Julio’s brilliance.

Williams then saw another fierce strike touched onto the bar by Julio before Cassie Thomas crossed low from the right and Harrison should have done better, but was not able to make a firm enough connection.

Half-time: 1-1

Rhyl had certainly created the better chances of the first half, but they were stunned when the visitors went 2-1 up in the opening minute of the second period.

Caernarfon skipper Ffion Owen let fly from 25 yards and found the net with a beauty.

After that Town looked fairly comfortable, Thomas going close to a third with a fine lob, although Julio did well again to thwart Mills before Harrison missed by inches.

The tie turned in the 78th minute when Rhyl sub Emily Jones robbed veteran defender Katie Davies and finished smartly for 2-2.

The home side were now pressing hard for a winner and it came in added time when a deep cross from the left by Mills was walloped into the roof of the net by Emily Jones at the back post.

Jones almost completed a hat-trick when she smacked the crossbar soon after her second goal.

Rhyl deserved to progress, but Caernarfon should be credited for a fine display.

Rhyl: Yasmin Mills, Alaw Davies-Smith, Paige Williams, Rebecca Bannister, Tonicha Dickens, Sue Harrison, Ceri Purvis, Rachael Nattrass, Cassandra Thomas, Laura Williams, Ashleigh Mills. Sub used: Emily Jones.

Caernarfon: Elena Julio, Heledd Evans, Sioned Bohana, Katie Davies, Catrin Thomas, Ceri Slaney (Kim Parry 27), Kim Broadbent, Jenna Alsup (Anna Jones 68), Ffion Owen (Natasha Jones 73), Danielle Barnfield, Steph Davies.