Penalty save is highlight of Llangefni display in loss to Northop Hall

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE – SEPTEMBER 28

Llangefni Town 0
Northop Hall 4 (Emily Hughes 18 & 57, Holly Mayers 50, Sienna Strapp 53)

Llangefni were honest enough to admit they were second best in this contest at Cae Bob Parry which saw Northop Hall run out comfortable winners.

With new side Town looking to make it two wins on the bounce, the match started slowly with both teams struggling to get a foothold.

That was until the 18th minute when Northop Hall’s Emily Hughes scored to make it 1-0.

Hall continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty when Cefni’s Lara Cain handled in the box.

Jess Marshall produced a brilliant spot-kick save and also managed to keep hold of the ball to stop any rebound.

This sparked some life into Llangefni before the half time break.

Town came out fighting in the second half until football showed how cruel it can sometimes be.

When a Jen Cox strike hit the underside of the crossbar, bouncing on the line and out, Hannah Owen then had a tap in chance miraculously saved by Hall keeper Bethan Thomas.

The rebound was cleared off the line and up the pitch, from which the visitors scored through Holly Mayers to make it 2-0 and leave the home team devastated.

The Flintshire side then took control and scored another two in five minutes through Sienna Strapp and Hughes.

Only an on-form Marshall kept it at 4-0.

Llangefni manager Dan Gregg said: “It would have been interesting to see what happened if that equaliser had gone in, but all in all we didn’t deserve anything out of today’s game.

“The ladies are honest and humble enough to realise we needed to show more today, Credit to both goalkeepers, I thought they put on a masterclass today. Northop’s Bethan Thomas’ distribution was incredible as was Jess Marshall’s shot stopping.”

Captain Nia Ginnelly added: “The whole team is disappointed with the score, but mostly we are all disappointed with our performance. The second that final whistle blew yesterday, we knew we didn’t deserve a win.

“What we can do is learn from it, playing like that will get us nowhere.

“Now, we go to training, learn from our mistakes and work by moving forward collectively as a team.

“We’ve seen how hard this season is going to be, but we are determined, regardless of the score, not to be disappointed by our own performance again. Huge thank you to everyone who came to watch.

“All the best to our striker Jen Cox, another fractured wrist for the team. We all wish her a speedy recovery.”

Alice Pascall was Llangefni’s Player of the Match.

Llangefni Town

Jessica Marshall
Hannah Owen
Nia Ginnelly (c)
Jen Cox (Elwen Evans 79)
Lara Cain (Leonie Jones 58)
Frankie Davies (Megan Wood 79)
Natasha Jones
Cara Hughes
Jade Cook
Alice Pascall
Llinos Hughes

Northop Hall

Bethan Thomas
Sienna Strapp
Chelsea Evans (Haf Morgan-Read 57)
Millie Sigsworth
Emily Hughes
Holly Mayers
Laura Eagles
Abbie Holland
Alison Whitley
Brygida Gorecka (Joann Bennion 64)
Natasha Constantine (Bethan Hughes 58)