Llangefni do club proud in great battle against a much more experienced opponent

Report – Genero Adran Trophy. October 16, 2022

Llangefni Town 1 (Cox)
Llanfair United 4 (S Ellis, G Jones 3)

In just their 23rd competitive match as a still developing team, Llangefni put up a fantastic performance against a Llanfair side boasting many years of experience and success in the women’s game.

Cefni took on the former North Wales League champions from Powys, now in the Tier 2 Genero Adran North, on Sunday in their penultimate game in the Adran Trophy.

Hosting the all-reds from Llanfaircaereinion at Cae Bob Parry was another big test for Dan Gregg and Liam Ewing’s side.

Llangefni came out of the traps flying, captain Nia Ginnelly setting the tone and not giving Llanfair any time to settle.

The hosts took a shock early lead when Eleanora Coulson played in her strike partner Jen Cox to slot Cefni up 1-0.

Llanfair showed just why they play in a tier above and remained calm, continuing to pass the ball around cleverly trusting the quality would pay off.

They then got their reward when Nia Ellis crossed in for Sarah Ellis to tap in. Half time and the score stayed 1-1 to give Llangefni hope that an upset was still on the cards.

Llanfair dented them hopes just two minutes into the second half when Gemma Jones struck home following some good work from Mary Griffiths.

Llangefni responded well, when a header from Catrin George was agonizingly cleared off the line, leaving Messrs Gregg and Ewing scratching their heads as to how they weren’t level.

In the 65th minute the Mary Griffiths-Gemma Jones combination struck again to make it 3-1. Then 5 minutes from time, Llanfair women’s record scorer Jones completed her hat-trick.

Llangefni Player Of The Match: Marissa George
Llanfair Player Of The Match: Mary Griffiths

Manager Dan Gregg (sponsored by the Railway Inn) said: “I thought we had a chance today when we went 1 up, but credit to Llanfair they never panicked and carried on playing their game in the face of some incredible energy and pressure from my team.

“4-1 seems a bit harsh, on another day we would have taken our chances. I felt we were never truly out of the match until Gemma Jones scored the 4th on the 85th minute. And to still be in the game right to the end against a team like Llanfair shows exactly why we entered this cup.

“Massive well done to Sharlee Owen who’s been slotting in at left back for two games now and has performed so well! This time last year she was just kicking a ball for the first time ever, fast forward and she’s playing a Tier 2 side at left back and not looking out of place.”