Sunday showdown could decide North Wales Women’s Football League title race

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE PREVIEW

NFA v CPD Y RHYL 1879
Sunday, May 15, 2.30 pm at Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn

To call this Sunday’s ‘battle of Rhyl’ a title decider isn’t too far from the truth.

If North Wales Women’s League leaders 1879 win or draw, they are crowned champions.

However, if NFA win they will cut the gap on Rhyl to five points with two games to play.

With 1879 having finished their fixtures after Sunday, NFA would need to beat Rhyl, then Amlwch Town at home and Welshpool Town away in their outstanding fixtures to land the title.

Both remaining games after Sunday are eminently winnable for Andy Lloyd’s side, so that makes this weekend’s Rhyl derby – ironically being played in Prestatyn – a massive clash.

The teams have met twice this season and 1879 won both encounters – 5-1 in the Welsh Cup and 1-0 at Belle Vue in the league.

The latter match, which took place on February 6, was decided by a Laura Williams goal, but NFA were unlucky not to get something.

Both teams are packed with goals.

NFA’s top scoring trio, Amy Webster (25), Sade Benjamin (25) and Emily Jones (21) have netted 71 times between them this season.

As for Rhyl, their leading three markswomen, Candice Nellist (29), Emily Bentley (19) and skipper Rachael Nattrass or Becca Bannister (both 17) have a combined total of 65.

Rhyl 1879 are the leading goal-getters in North Wales football – 120 in 19 matches across all competitions.

They are undefeated all season in the league – 15 wins and two draws – and have been victorious in their last nine matches.

Their only loss all season was a 1-0 reverse against Pwllheli of Adran North in the Welsh Cup. Pwllheli are the only team to have prevented 1879 scoring in their 19 matches this term.

Whatever happens on Sunday, Rhyl have already clinched promotion to tier 2 as they are assured of a top-two finish. NFA did not apply.

As for NFA, they are a dynamic outfit who really showed their mettle in losing just 4-3 to Llandudno in the NWCFA Challenge Cup final last weekend.

Sunday’s derby could end up very close indeed.

VENUE: Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn. Entry £2 – U16’s free