The day Denbigh Town’s Hollie Groves scored NINE goals in a single game

Denbigh Town Ladies 19 (Groves 9, Williams 4, Smith 2, K Jones, Evans, E M Jones 2) Bangor City Ladies 0
North Wales Women’s League – September 2016

What a day it was for Denbigh striker Hollie Groves when she hit NINE goals in a 19-0 walloping of an inexperienced Bangor side four years ago.

Although the then league newcomers were heavily beaten they showed great heart and commitment as they battled to the end.

The home side were on the front foot from the off and were three goals up within 11 minutes, first through a fine 20-yard left-footed drive from Lexie Smith then two calm finishes one-on-one from Chelsea Williams and Groves.

The goals were coming at regular intervals with a Smith header from a corner and Kathryn Jones racing through to finish with a powerful drive from 12 yards.

Next up, new signing, Eluned Evans, making her full debut at right back, picked up the ball in her own half and raced the length of the pitch to slot into the bottom corner of the net.

The away side’s offside trap was not working and before half time Williams (2) and Groves (3) piled on more goals, all excellent finishes following good passing moves to make it 11-0 at the break.

Denbigh began the second half slowly with Bangor defending with great spirit and keeping the home side at bay.

It took 20 minutes for the breakthrough and again it was Groves who supplied it, finishing with aplomb after racing through the away back-line for her fifth of the afternoon.

The goals again started flowing with two from Elen Mair Jones and a further four for Groves before Williams rounded off the scoring from a fine move down the right wing.

It was no surprise to see Groves in the goals. She was always a consistent net-finder in a Denbigh shirt.

The 2016-17 season was her best as she knocked in more than 20 goals. It was an even better achievement considering she had returned to playing not long after becoming a mum.

Her first team was Llysfaen Girls where she started out as a goalkeeper.

A special early experience involved playing in a futsal tournament at Carrington (Manchester City’s training ground).

Hollie also represented North Wales against South Wales.