Amlwch triumph in cracking Welsh Cup derby on Ynys Môn

Match report from Llangefni Town

FAW Welsh Women’s Cup round one

Llangefni Town 1 (Cox 11)
Amlwch Town 4 (Furlong 1, E Jones 23 & 61, E Roberts 86)

Cae Bob Parry held host to a Welsh Cup Anglesey derby under lights on Friday night when Llangefni Town welcomed Amlwch Town.

With a 7:30 kick off and no other local games on, a crowd of over 100 people and the Welsh FA Online TV channel watched on as the island teams took centre stage.

Llangefni started well and played some lovely calm football to add to their already well-known battling qualities and could feel pretty downhearted when Sara Furlong scored for Amlwch with a powerful strike from distance against the run of play.

Cefni stayed composed and carried on looking dangerous and controlling the tempo.

It paid off on 11 minutes when Sian-Elin played in the returning Jen Cox who bravely committed to striking the ball home with onrushing keeper Ceri Pritchard landing on the Cefni forward’s ankle – 1-1.

Llangefni continued to control the game but Amlwch always looked dangerous on the counter with long balls and some nice passes from Cerys Gadd into the pacey Ellie Jones.

And it reaped dividends on the stroke of half-time, again a sickening blow for Llangefni. Gadd, after a wonderful first touch, played through Jones to make it 2-1.

HALF-TIME: 1-2

Another blow to Llangefni during the half time break was last year’s top scorer Cox being unable to go on after injuring her ankle in the challenge with Pritchard.

Cara Hughes continued to build up her minutes by coming on for Cox and the hosts pushed the versatile Catrin George into the number 10 role.

Llangefni again will feel they had the lion’s share of the game but once more Amlwch’s pace on the break caught them out.

Darren Hughes’ side made it 3-1 when Ellie Jones completed her brace.

And with only 5 minutes remaining after a foul on the edge of the area up stepped Emma Roberts to produce a free kick to be proud of, curling into the top corner to wrap the game up, 4-1 to Amlwch.

Llangefni manager Dan Gregg said: “Strange one tonight, I’m really happy with the performance, we’ve battled well in nearly every game since we started last season but tonight I thought we showed we can play and dominate.

“I think the scoreline’s a bit cruel and I’m sure even Amlwch are honest enough to admit that, but taking absolutely nothing away from them, they are an experienced side and know exactly how to win football matches.

“Ceri Pritchard’s positioning in goal was on point all night and Cerys Gadd had a tough, tough battle in the middle of the park against Nia Ginnelly.

“All in all a brilliant night for women’s football, both teams taking centre stage in front of a 100-plus crowd. Hopefully we’ve encouraged them to come back.

“Rhyl next up in the Adran Trophy as the wild card side. These ladies don’t half take on some challenges!”

TEAMS

Llangefni Town

Jess Marshall
Nia Ginnelly
Jen Cox (Cara Hughes 46)
Hannah Owen
Sian-Elin Morgan-Price
Ellie Coulson
Llinos Hughes
Catrin George
Sharlee Owen
Mared Roberts
Marissa George

SUBS

Lara Cain

Megan Summers-Jones

Megan Tyne Wood

N/A

Amlwch Town

Ceri Pritchard
Casey Evans (Anna Roberts 58)
Catrin Thomas
Emma Roberts
Cerys Gadd
Ellie Jones
Carol Lewis
Kim Lodge
Mirain Davies
Leah Jones
Sara Furlong