Welshpool ladies end debut season in North Wales League on a high

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE – MAY 22

REPORT FROM WELSHPOOL TOWN………

Welshpool Town 4 (Thorpe 12, Adams 23, B Jones 45, Walker 81)
NFA 2 (Benjamin 54, Windsor 63)

A very strange game at Maes-y-Dre saw Welshpool complete their first season in the North Wales Women’s Football League with a 4-2 victory over NFA – but that doesn’t tell half the story.

An NFA side chasing second place in the league arrived in town very low on numbers, starting the game with just eight players.

They were soon up to nine, but only briefly as in the fourth minute Beth Jones beat goalkeeper Courtney Ingram to a through ball. Ingram caught the Welshpool play maker, denying her a goal, meaning a unfortunate but clear red card for the custodian.

Rachel Lloyd took over in goal, leaving the visitors with just seven outfield players.

To rub salt into the wounds, Maddie Thorpe found the target from the resulting free-kick to open the scoring.

Midway through the first half Welshpool doubled their lead when Ellie Davies broke clear down the right and crossed for Jaz Adams to convert.

At this point Welshpool were making their numerical advantage count, creating and squandering many chances before Beth Jones increased the lead shortly before half-time.

NFA adapted a shoot on sight approach at the start of the second half. Welshpool gave them a helping hand by conceding a number of cheap free kicks in shooting range.

The Rhyl side weren’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth with both Sade Benjamin and Stella Windsor finding the target with fine free kicks to reduce the deficit to one and spark thoughts of a remarkable comeback in the visiting camp.

Welshpool were still missing lots of chances at the other end with stand-in keeper Lloyd making a number of fine saves before with ten minutes remaining young substitute Amber Bailey broke clear on the right, delivering a fine cross leading to Amy Aldwinckle setting up Shannon Walker to smash home, allowing the home supporters to all breathe a huge sigh of relief .

Fantastic effort and attitude from all the NFA girls and really pleasing for the Welshpool girls to wrap up their season with a victory.

Good performance also from referee Nathan Bartram.

Welshpool would like to put on record their thanks to all the office holders of the NWWFL for all their hard work throughout the season.

Also Grassroots North Wales for promoting the female game so well.

Finally, all our opponents who have all made us feel so welcome.

Enjoy your summer.