Five years ago this weekend Llandudno Ladies made a flying start to what ended up their best season in the Welsh Premier Women’s League.
Tudno ran out 4-0 winners at Newcastle Emlyn thanks to goals from Jemila Bukari, Stacey Tradewell, Rosie Hughes and Sofie Owen.
Although they lost their next three matches, Sarah Colville’s side did finish a very respectable sixth in 2015-16 and reached the Welsh Cup Final for the one and only time in their short history, losing 5-2 at Cardiff City FC Women in the showpiece game at Latham Park, Newtown.
North Wales’ other two teams in the WPWL that season, Rhyl and Prestatyn and Wrexham did not fare so well on that opening day.
Rhyl and Prestatyn lost 4-1 at home to Swansea City, while Wrexham went down 3-1 at Port Talbot.
Wrexham actually resigned before the end of the season.
BBC Wales Sport pushed the boat out that weekend and gave the WPWL first day action more space than usual.
They interviewed champions Cardiff Met’s captain of the time, Emily Allen, asking her thoughts on the strength of the league.
She opined that the league was getting stronger and that everyone would target the students’ scalp.
Whether that was the case or not, it didn’t work as Met won the 2015-16 title by six points, having clinched top spot only on goal difference the campaign before.
Sadly. the claim that the league was getting stronger has not really proved to be the case.
Since 2015-16, Llandudno, Rhyl and Wrexham have all resigned, while Caernarfon Town have been back in and out.
No North Wales teams are now represented in the national league which comprises just nine clubs.
There have been some improved results in Europe, and indeed it is a good battle near the top most seasons now, but it is no longer really a national league.
Cwmbran Celtic Ladies 1-1 Cardiff City FC Women
Cyncoed Ladies 2-0 Aberystwyth Town Ladies
Newcastle Emlyn Ladies 0-4 MBi Llandudno Ladies
PILCS Ladies 4-8 Cardiff Metropolitan Ladies
Port Talbot Town Ladies 3-1 Wrexham Ladies
Rhyl & Prestatyn Ladies 1-4 Swansea City Ladies
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