News of women’s football friendlies on this Sunday, August 8

Mari Gibbard (red and black) is a welcome returnee for Bethel. Picture: CHRIS HOWELLS

With the women’s football season fast approaching, North Wales teams remain busy lining up friendlies.

This Sunday sees Pwllheli host Connah’s Quay, Trearddur Bay entertain Bethel and Wrexham welcome Northop Hall.

Both Pwllheli and the Quay will compete in the Tier 2 North this season.

Pwll have been in fine pre-season form, scoring plenty of goals and benefiting from the wide experience of several of the squad.

With Erica Jones and Andrew “Lefty” Wright in charge of the team, they are sure to be well-organised and determined.

Connah’s Quay have been fairly low profile so far, playing a couple of friendlies, but news is expected this week on their squad for the 2021-22 season.

New side Trearddur Bay Bulls are managed by Chris Davies, former manager of the all-conquering Trearddur Bay United men’s team.

Davies has built up a nice blend of youth and experience at Lon Isallt. They have produced some encouraging performances and results so far, with the likes of Gail Paterson-Manning, Ashleigh Jones, Gemma Thomas and Shanellie Cooper players who can be relied upon to shine.

Bay will do well to contain a Bethel outfit looking very capable of making a big impact in Tier 2 North this season.

Having retained the majority of their squad from 2019-20 and added extra young talent from the under-16’s, Ben Bolton’s side performed really well in a 1-0 defeat to Welsh Premier side Aberystwyth Town last weekend.

The return of Mari Gibbard to the side is a real tonic, and while some players are on the comeback trail from injuries, the overall picture is very bright.

Racecourse debut for Wrexham AFC Women

Meanwhile, Wrexham AFC Women will make their Racecourse debuts on Sunday in a friendly against Northop Hall Ladies.

Having reformed in 2018, this will be the first time the women’s team have played at the Racecourse Ground in a match that will also mark the return of supporters to the stadium, but Covid safety rules will apply.

Wrexham will be out to avenge a 1-0 defeat to Northop Hall earlier this summer.

Sunday’s match will be all-ticket, by invitation only, with tickets reserved for players’ families, players from the club’s girls section, and also men’s youth team players.