Pwllheli and Bethel progress in Welsh Cup, big league wins for Amlwch and Llanystumdwy

FAW WOMEN’S WELSH CUP

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 0
Pwllheli 1 (Rees-Hughes 37)

Rhyl will rue the defensive calamity which cost them their place in this season’s Welsh Cup.

In the 37th minute, Katie Bowe’s nicely-weighted through ball caused panic between home defenders and keeper Megan Robinson, leading to an almighty collision which resulted in Leanne Rees-Hughes finding an empty net.

It was a pity such a good, even cup tie was decided on an error, but it is Pwllheli of the tier 2 Genero Adran North who progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of their tier 3 North Wales League opponents.

Neither side seriously threatened until the 15th minute when Bowe had space 18 yards out but blasted wide.

Rachael Nattrass struck a great inswinging corner in the 22nd minute which visiting keeper Elena Julio did well to palm away from under the crossbar.

Bowe won a dubious free kick in the 31st minute which she took and forced a useful save from Robinson.

Soon after Bowe was presented with the ball in the box but shot over.

Then came the goal which put Pwllheli in front.

Almost immediately, Rhyl’s in-form striker Emily Bentley hit a firm shot which Julio saved.

Great work from the outstanding Magi Hughes set up Bowe again just before the break, but Robinson pushed her low strike behind for a corner.

Half-time: 0-1

Straight after the restart, 1879 almost benefited from some defensive uncertainty, but unlike with Pwllheli, the home team’s luck was out.

Julio’s clearance ballooned up in the air off Candice Nellist, who tried an overhead kick with the loose ball, but missed the target.

Bowe’s shot on the turn was palmed away for a corner, then at the other end Julio beat out a Nattrass flag-kick and Laura Williams lashed over the bar.

Magi Hughes hit the underside of the crossbar with a great effort on the hour.

Pwllheli were content to rely on the counter as Rhyl upped their attacking effort, but often the hosts found defenders Lowri Hughes and Sian Moore too good to get past.

Bentley hit a 20-yarder just wide in the closing stages, then good passing between Bowe and Charley Davies found Magi Hughes, who thumped a shot over.

It was not to be for Rhyl and if one deciding factor was to be pinpointed, it was the fact Pwllheli’s defence was just that bit more watertight on the day.

Rhyl 1879

Megan Robinson, Saskia Wynne Thomas, Sophie Haywood, Stephanie Farley, Rosie O’Brien, Emily Bentley, Laura Williams, Rachael Nattrass, Candice Nellist, Rebecca Bannister, Tegan Crockett (Alicia Duke 59)

Pwllheli

Elena Julio, Leanne Rees-Hughes, Sian Moore, Charley Davies, Lowri Hughes, Sioned Bohana (Siona Hughes 80), Erica Jones (Hayley Rees-Williams 55), Magi Hughes, Katie Bowe, Stacey Sansome, Llio Meleri Jones (Sioned Jones 85).

Grassroots North Wales choices as Players of the Match

Rhyl 1879: Emily Bentley

Pwllheli: Magi Hughes

FAW WOMEN’S CUP

Bethel 2 (M Gibbard 26, Fflur Williams 90+3)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (Bloor 5, Kural 90 +1)
Bethel won 5-4 on penalties

Bethel are through to the last eight of the Welsh Cup after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Nomads.

Chelsea Bloor handed the visitors a fifth-minute lead, but Mari Gibbard levelled on 26.

It looked like the Quay had won it when Kirstie Kural put them ahead late in the second half, but Fflur Williams equalised in added time.

Nomads then won another penalty, which Sioned Hughes-Williams saved to force a shoot-out.

And Bethel keeper Hughes-Williams was the hero again, saving the decisive kick with the hosts 5-4 ahead.

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Amlwch Town 6 Llangefni Town 0

The Anglesey derby went very much in Amlwch’s favour at Lon Bach.

Sara Furlong struck twice for the home side, Cerys Gadd, Tesni Hughes and Jo Bramwell added one apiece and there was an own goal.

Llangefni keeper Jessica Marshall produced her second penalty save of the season, keeping out Gadd’s effort diving to her right.

Llanystumdwy 7 Holywell Girls and Women 2

Grace Mpuku became the first Llanystumdwy player to score a hat-trick as her team rattled up a debut win in the North Wales Women’s League.

Mpuku scored in the 21st, 32nd and 35th minutes to make it a treble in less than quarter-of-an-hour at Dwyfor Park.

Ellie Williams added a double on three and 23 minutes, while Shona O’Brien and Hana Wellings were also on target to make it 7-0 at the interval.

Sarah Massey bagged both goals for Holywell in the second half.