Bethel earn fine draw at Ellesmere Port ahead of final friendly V Llangefni

Ellesmere Port Town Ladies 3 (Sampson 2, Hannigan)

CPD Merched Bethel 3 (Fflur Williams, own goal, Kelly Jones)

CPD Merched Bethel will host Llangefni Town in their final pre-season friendly tomorrow (Tuesday, kick-off 6.45 pm at Cae Seilo, Felinheli).

After that it will be full steam ahead for the new season in Tier 2 North for Ben Bolton’s side.

Bethel’s penultimate tune-up match for the 2021-22 campaign took place on Sunday and ended in a 3-3 draw at Ellesmere Port Town of the Cheshire Women’s & Youth League Premier Division.

It proved a tough test for the North Wales girls against an experienced side.

Bethel started brightly, trying to get on the ball and set the tempo, but suffered a setback as Katie Midwinter required treatment after a tough tackle.

The visitors broke the deadlock after 20 minutes. Mari Gibbard won a free kick on the right side of the box which she took and found Fflur Williams, whose deft header beat the goalkeeper.

Ellesmere Port equalised shortly after, a marauding run through the middle of midfield followed by a good pass to Keri Sampson, who made no mistake with from close range.

Shortly after, Sioned Hughes-Williams made a fantastic save at the feet of Sampson to keep the score level.

But Port eventually took the lead, Sampson latching onto a stray pass and tapping into an empty net.

The scores were level at the break though, good skill from Midwinter on the right wing allowing her to swing a dangerous cross into the box that prompted an own goal.

Bethel began the second half on the back foot, and found themselves behind again.

They cleared the first corner, but a second cross into the box was met by midfielder Clare Hannigan, who headed in from close range.

Bethel dominated the remainder of the match, both Mari Gibbard and Fflur Williams going close to scoring but denied by good goalkeeping.

The away side eventually got the equaliser in the 75th minute, Mari Gibbard’s corner met by Kelly Jones’ thumping header.

Manager Bolton said: “Today was a good test against very good and experienced opposition.

“It was good to face a team from a different area with a different style of play.

“We had a small squad today, a few players missing and a few still recovering from injuries but everyone worked extremely hard and showed good character to come from behind twice to earn a draw.

“We’re learning a lot from our squad with every pre-season game and preparations are going very well with the season fast approaching.

“We’d like to thank Ellesmere Port Town Ladies for a great game and hospitality and wish them luck for their season.”

Bethel

Sioned Hughes-Williams
Yasmin Williams
Kelly Jones
Shona Roberts
Mali Henshaw
Jenna Allsup
Llio Emyr
Mari Gibbard
Gwenno Gibbard Bolton
Katie Midwinter
Fflur Williams
Erin Gibbard
Ceri Hickey
Beca Parry