New signing Lexi on fire for CPDM Bangor 1876 in Sunday friendly

Star summer signing Lexi Crawley netted four times on debut for CPDM Bangor 1876 in Sunday’s pre-season friendly win over Llangefni Town Ladies.

Lexi, a prolific goalscorer in past spells with the likes of Amlwch Town and Bangor City, as well as shining in the Welsh Premier for Wrexham and Caernarfon Town, gave her new club an insight into the quality they have brought in at Plas Ffrancon, Bethesda, yesterday.

The 28-year-old’s quartet was made up of three screamers and a classic individual run through defenders before a cool finish.

Gwen Roberts also notched a hat-trick, Awel Ellis a double, while there were singles for captain Danielle Barnfield, Ffion Roberts, Ceri Lois and an own goal.

Local Tier 3 league rivals Llangefni gave it their all as usual with new manager Dan Gregg at the helm.

Up against a near full-strength 1876 squad, Cefni battled hard but could not match Bangor’s passing and movement.

Bangor 1876 first team manager Jonny Batten said: “Firstly, we want to thank Llangefni for the game and the referee.

“We gave ourselves three objectives for the game – keep a clean sheet, start playing more as a team and be clinical in front of goal. We kept the clean sheet and it was great to see the team passing the ball around and working for each other in both attack and defence. The team were definitely more clinical in front of goal, so objectives were met.

“For us (myself, Aron Griffith and Lois Regan – fellow coaches) it was great to see that team performance and putting what we practiced into the game.

“The link-up play and the balls in the channels were good and allowed us to be clinical in the times we needed to be. Everyone did their job and I thought this showed… the defence solid, the midfield worked hard to boss the game and the strikers clinical.

“Today we also saw what Lexi brings to this team with four special finishes. It was extra pleasing to welcome Jema Owen to the squad and get some game time and she showed signs of what she can bring to this team.

“So overall job done and a good day at the office, we still have a lot to learn and room for improvement but today was a positive outcome and we are definitely moving in the right direction so we’ll keep training hard and try to keep the momentum going.”

Reflecting on the match, first team captain Dani Barnfield said: “There’s no doubt that we have a great squad of individuals but today we really played as a team and dominated the game from start to finish.

“We looked sharp in attack and solid at the back. We played with intensity and desire, working hard for each other in and out of possession.

“Lots of positives from the match but also things to work on.”