Mari Gibbard scores six goals in 36 minutes in sensational Welsh Cup performance from Llandudno!

FAW WOMEN’S WELSH CUP

Llandudno 10 (L Doran 15 & 36, M Williams 25, Hassall 53, Gibbard 53, 57, 63, 79, 81 & 89 pen)
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 0

It was a day to remember for Llandudno and one very much to forget for Rhyl 1879.

Although Tudno had beaten their coastal rivals 8-0 in the league at the start of the season, Sunday’s Welsh Cup clash at the Flyover Ground, Llandudno Junction, was expected to be much closer.

Rhyl had improved since that opening day September 4 loss, while Llandudno were looking to rally from back-to-back defeats at the hands of Connah’s Quay Nomads and Wrexham, in the Adran Trophy and Adran North League respectively.

Yet what occurred was probably the most one-sided women’s match ever between the towns.

Both teams started off well, battling for everything, and there was no indication of what was to come.

However, in the 15th minute Llandudno took the lead. Becky Jarvis-Evans ran down the left wing and crossed in to Louisha Doran, who turned defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

On 25 minutes the hosts added a very well-worked goal. Keeper Caitlyn Bibby-Fry passed to captain Sofie Owen from a goal-kick. Owen fed Sioned Phillips, who carried the ball down the right and slotted through the defence for Maddie Williams, who fired into the top-right corner.

Goal number three arrived on 36 minutes.

Good play in the middle of the field between Ffion Owen, Mari Gibbard and Phillips saw the latter deliver over the defence for Louisha Doran, who controlled the knocked in the third.

Half time: 3-0 Llandudno

Rhyl swapped goalkeepers at half time, giving new signing Bethan Thomas her debut in place of Loz Jones.

Eight minutes into the second half came the beginning of amazing personal display from Mari Gibbard.

Hannah Smith’s throw-in found Phillips, who threaded a nice pass to Gibbard and she took one touch before striking the ball home.

Straight from the restart, Llandudno won back the ball and Doran crossed to the back post for Indie Hassall to head in for 5-0.

Four minutes later and Phillips was yet again the provided, her cross into the box hitting a Rhyl defender and falling nicely for Gibbard to find the bottom-left corner.

Gibbard’s hat-trick goal on 63 minutes was one to savour.

Great passing between Sofie Owen, Jarvis-Evans and Ffion Owen saw the latter find Phillips. She slid the ball to Gibbard, whose long range effort went in over the keeper’s head.

In the 79th minute the hosts brought on Kelsey Davies, who soon made an impact. The winger took the ball down the right and drove low and hard across the penalty area for Gibbard to make it 8-0 with her fourth.

The Davies and Gibbard combination made it nine before Llandudno won a penalty in the 89th minute.

Gibbard stepped up and despite a good effort from Thomas to keep it out, the ball found the net, bringing the scorer her second six-goal haul in the Welsh Cup for the Seasiders.

WoM: Mari Gibbard

With Llandudno and Wrexham into the quarter-finals, much interest will focus on the draw for the last eight, whenever it may be made.

TEAMS

LLANDUDNO

Caitlyn Bibby-Fry
Hannah Smith (Shona Roberts 66)
Madison Williams
Mari Gibbard
Rebecca Jarvis-Evans
Louisha Doran (Kelsey Davies 76)
Maddie Williams
Sioned Phillips
Sofie Owen (c) (Cat Jones 77)
Indie Hassall (Erin Doran 66)
Ffion Owen (Charlotte Perry 83)

CPD Y RHYL 1879

Loz Jones (Bethan Thomas 46)
Saskia Wynne-Thomas
Cassie Thomas
Hana Eagles
Becca Bannister
Tegan Crockett (Chelsea Evans 29)
Laura Williams
Rachael Thomas
Niomi Taylor
Candice Nellist
N/A
SUBS
Trisha Harley
Amy Woodbridge
Steph Farley

REFEREE: Mark James