Women’s football is back! Great first win for Holywell, Airbus off to flyer

Northop Hall Ladies 2 (Mayers, Thomas)

Holywell FC Girls and Ladies 4 (Hadaway 2, Lancaster 2)

Caitlin Hadaway and new signing Courtney Lancaster scored two apiece as Holywell recorded their first-ever 11-a-side victory.

Formed last season, the Wellwomen went the entire shortened North Wales League Division Two campaign without a win.

Although today’s match at Northop was a friendly, the result will still provide a major boost to Holywell’s morale.

Northop Hall coach Dave Cooper said afterwards: “Great game of football from two committed teams.

“Great work rate and result for Holywell but no luck at all in front of goal for Northop Hall – numerous chances and woodwork being rattled three times.”

Holly Mayers and Eleanor Thomas were the Hall goalscorers.

Holywell’s joint two-goal star Caitlin Hadaway said: “It was our ladies first pre-season game since Covid, with very much the same team as last season and the same enthusiasm, but much more improved technically.

“Stand out players were Emma Fox, Steph Doyle, Leah Davies-Williams and Caitlin Latham. This was our first 11 a side win since setting up last September and we are all delighted.”

Wrexham AFC Women 2 (Thomas, Glendinning)

Airbus UK Broughton Women 6 (Scott, Hewitt 3, Smith, Lawrence)

Tegan Hewitt carried her tremendous goalscoring form of last season into today’s first friendly of the 2020-21 campaign as she notched a hat-trick at Wrexham.

Although it was a clear win for the Wingmakers, the important thing was both teams got some long overdue game time after an eight-month lay-off due to Covid.

Wrexham could take positives from their performance as well as the visitors.

One massive plus for Airbus was the return of skipper Abby Williams, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Abby came through unscathed, providing no less than four assists in a number 10 role when she advanced a bit further forward than usual.

Other scorers for Airbus were Poppy Smith, Jade Scott and Rosie Lawrence.

The Wingmakers were also delighted to welcome back midfield maestro Hana Eagles. Another boost was a debut goal for Poppy Smith.

As for Wrexham, Amy Glendenning and Oceia Thomas found the net.

Scott and Hewitt put the visitors two-up before Thomas replied with a great effort from distance.

Hewitt struck again before the end of the second third.

In the final third, Hewitt, Smith and Lawrence made it 6-1 before Glendenning hit back.