Despite defeat Llangefni start season with a truly encouraging performance

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE – SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

Llangefni Town 2 (Coulson 53 & 89)
CPDM Bangor 1876 3 (Williams 27, Bee 45, Barnfield pen 61)

Llangefni look well on course for a vastly improved second season in the North Wales Women’s League based on the tremendous battle they gave expected title challengers 1876 at Cae Bob Parry on Sunday.

The game started evenly with both teams having spells of attacking – Bangor with some nice possession football and Llangefni with their typical full-throttle, high energy style.

It took 27 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Llangefni failed to close down Chelsea Williams on the edge of the area and her well-struck effort looped over home keeper Jess Marshall.

Cefni responded well with Ellie Coulson working hard and picking up chances. Cruelly on the stroke of half time, the Anglesey hosts conceded a carbon copy of the first goal.

A good header out from Llinos Hughes fell on the edge of the area to Ffion Bee, who again was not closed down quick enough and finished well to make it 2-0 half time to Bangor.

Llangefni came out fighting in the second half believing one goal could change the game.

On the 53rd minute mark that goal came, Sharlee Owen picking up a free kick to which Sian-Elin dangerously delivered right on the penalty spot, leaving Coulson to strike home.

Bangor continued to play some tidy football but after a talk at half time Cefni were quicker to close down any space around their box and block any shots.

Just past the hour, Marissa George did exactly what was expected of her, rushing to block a strike from Bangor which unfortunately struck her arm from close range, leaving last season’s captain Danielle Barnfield to put the visitors 3-1 up with a well-placed penalty.

Llangefni made 2 substitutions with Lara Cain bringing her pace into the game to stretch Bangor and the returning Cara Hughes.

The islanders refused to go away and kept on battling and creating chances.

In the 89th minute Ffion Thomas delivered a wicked corner and Coulson rose to fire a bullet header into the bottom corner, giving Town some hope.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for Llangefni and the game finished 3-2 to Bangor. The match was an absolute credit to football itself not just woman’s football, with spectators thrilled with the way both teams played.

Last season Llangefni may have sank, but they proved they are a different animal this season and can compete with the big teams.

Manager Dan Gregg said; “What a game that was! Everyone in the changing room is so upbeat and proud, we’ve proved a lot to ourselves today which strangely makes a loss feel like a win.

“We’ve worked so hard this pre-season, training twice a week with assistant Liam Ewing improving every aspect from fitness to set pieces, and taking on more friendlies than any other team that I can see.

“From Llandudno to Connah’s Quay, my team shies away from nothing. We’ve laid a marker for ourselves now and this must be how we perform week in week out.”

TEAMS

Llangefni Town

Jessica Marshall
Nia Ginnelly
Hannah Owen
Sian-Elin Morgan-Price (Lara Cain 81)
Ellie Coulson
Llinos Hughes
Catrin George
Mared Roberts
Sharlee Owen (Cara Hughes 70)
Marissa George
Ffion Thomas

Bangor 1876

Becca Elliott
Elin Jones
Ffion Bee
Catrin Hughes
Nia Roberts (Elin Arwen 54)
Danielle Barnfield
Gwen Roberts (Menna Evans 45)
Mia Roberts
Cerys Parry (Ceri Thomas 45)
Jenna Allsup
Chelsea Williams