Match of the Day: NFA 2 CPDM Bangor 1876 6

NFA 2 (Lloyd 23, Benjamin 59)
CPDM Bangor 1876 6 (G Roberts 11, F Roberts 16, 66 & 81, C Thomas 85, J Roberts 89)
North Wales Women’s League – September 5, 2021

Ffion Mair Roberts could prove a major star of the North Wales Women’s League this season judging by her magnificent hat-trick for Bangor 1876 in a 6-2 opening day triumph at Rhyl-based NFA.

These teams were level at 2-2 after an hour, but then the visitors upped a gear and a pair of stunning goals from substitute Ceri Lois Thomas and treble magician Roberts helped clinch maximum points.

Both sides were playing their first competitive game in 18 months and it was a tough return with the weather being so hot and the Rhyl Leisure Centre pitch hard.

Emily Jones drilled an early effort wide for NFA before Awel Ellis’ shot was well held by Yasmin Mills at the other end.

The deadlock was broken on 11 minutes when the pacy Gwen Roberts raced into the box and finished smartly with her right foot.

Moments later, it was so nearly 2-0 when Mills saved low from Ellis and Ffion Mair Roberts struck the loose ball against the post.

That second goal was not long in coming, though. Ffion Mair Roberts latched onto a fine pass from midfield and scored with the outside of her right foot.

NFA settled and began to create chances.

Becca Elliott went down well at the feet of Amy Webster, who delayed her shot perhaps too long, then the 1876 keeper denied Sade Benjamin and Emily Jones in quick succession.

The hosts halved the deficit on 23 minutes when a shot from the right by Rachel Lloyd found the top corner of the net.

On 28 minutes the home side were reduced to 10 players after keeper Mills handled an Ellis shot outside her area. A straight red was shown and on came substitute keeper Courtney Ingram as replacement.

Few clear opportunities were carved out for the rest of the half.

Half-time: 1-2.

Ellis almost found an open net from range after Ingram was left stranded before the scores were level on 59 minutes.

Georgia Spibey, whose throw-ins were a major asset, released Benjamin, who lobbed the advancing Elliott to make it 2-2.

For a few minutes NFA looked like the team in the ascendancy, but then the game turned again in the 66th minute when substitute Ceri Lois’ deep corner from the right was converted by Ffion Mair Roberts at the back post.

In the 81st minute, Ffion Mair Roberts completed her hat-trick with an exquisite chip over Ingram after she met a slide rule pass from Heledd Evans.

Ceri Lois made it five with a marvellous left-foot finish from an angle and Jordan Roberts added a sixth from close range.

Teams

NFA: Yasmin Mills (Courtney Ingram 28), Chloe Evans, Lucy Sass-Davies (Megan Purcell 83), Grace Bamber, Georgia Spibey, Rachel Lloyd, Jessica Mills, Amy Webster (Stella Windsor 58), Ffion Evans, Emily Jones, Sade Benjamin.

Bangor 1876: Becca Elliott, Heledd Evans, Elin Jones, Jema Owen (Nia Roberts 70), Lisa Thomas, Danielle Barnfield, Gwen Roberts, Ceri Roberts (Molly Barton 83), Jordan Roberts, Ffion Roberts, Awel Ellis (Ceri Lois Thomas 60).

Players of the Match

NFA: Georgia Spibey – sublime throw-ins and tremendous effort, as well as impeccable manners

1876: Ffion Mair Roberts – looked the sharpest player on the field following the long lay-off and scored a magnificent hat-trick