Football

More top women’s players in North Wales football to watch out for in 2023

Airbus line up before facing Connah’s Quay in October 2022. Picture: johnsimages
@sunkendream5

There are quite a few players who I wanted to mention in the Female Festive Fifty but either forgot about them temporarily or couldn’t fit in every one.

So here’s a few more who made a good impression in 2022 and can shine even brighter in 2023.

I had a chat with Luke Wynne, manager of Airbus UK Broughton Women, who have shown promise lately after a tough start.

Luke Wynne

Luke shared the names of a few good prospects with me.

AIRBUS

Ruby Stevens (goalkeeper)

Ruby is playing her first season in women’s football. Ever present in training and at matches, keeping an experienced goalkeeper out of the team with her performances.

Phoebe Rintoul (defender)

Phoebe has been consistent throughout her time at Wrexham and now at Airbus. Again, ever present at training and games and is always a solid performer

Meleri (Mel) Jones (midfielder)

Unsung hero of the team, runs and tackles anything. Always a 8/9 out of 10, doesn’t get goals or assists but is one of the most important players in the team.

India Howarth (defender)

Another player playing in her first season in women’s football. Her debut was against Nomads stopping Kirstie Kural scoring (which has proved to be very hard for other teams to do over the last two seasons). Excellent on the ball and plays like a player way past her age.

Jade Scott (midfielder)

Jade Scott (dark blue – facing) Picture: johnsimages
@sunkendream5

Coming back to Airbus after a season at Nomads last year. Consistent and a leader in the squad. Always puts in a good performance in midfield

Ceri Purvis (striker)

Ceri Purvis on the ball

Ceri is formerly of Rhyl FC, was a two-time Welsh Cup winner with Pilkingtons, and is one of the best technical players in the league. Holds the ball up well up front and can produce some magic when needed.

Katie Armstrong (midfield)

Ex Corwen youngster who has won everything as a youth player. Covers every blade of grass on a pitch and is brilliant on the ball. She had a season out after Corwen folded before Covid, but is now finding her form and fitness.

LLANDUDNO

Ffion Owen

Ffion Owen (stripes) of Llandudno and Amber Lightfoot of Wrexham in the final fixture of the Genero Adran North 2021-22 season (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

Okay, it did not make sense to have a top 50 without this special player involved, but I was trying to include every club and had to restrict the numbers named from each team.
Midfield ace Ffion is one of Anglesey’s all-time greats and has won league titles with Caernarfon Town, Amlwch Town and Llandudno.
I’ve always been a huge admirer of this player. She is so modest and humble, yet such a strong competitor when she takes the field.

Sofie Owen

Sofie Owen celebrates winning the Genero Adran North title (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

Her celebrations after winning the Genero Adran North title in March said everything.
Sofie has been there through all the tough times of past years when Llandudno struggled at times to compete in a South Wales dominated Welsh Premier League.

Sofie Owen (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)


She always gave it 100 % and last season was an inspirational captain and defender in the championship-winning side.
Before that she was for many years an attacking player who scored plenty of goals for the team.

Madison Williams

Madison Williams of Llandudno (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

Have to include a mention for (Little) Maddie, who has been excellent across the defence for Llandudno.
Has also made the Wales Under-17 and the Welsh Colleges squad. Exquisite on the ball, a real talent.

CPD Y RHYL 1879

Alicia Duke

Saskia Wynne-Thomas (left) and Alicia Duke

The Duke really impressed me with her determined play in defence and midfield during 2022.
She was often part of that amazing 1879 back-line which won the North Wales League title without losing a single game.
And although things have been harder in the tier 2 Adran North, Rhyl are starting to settle and Alicia remains a key figure.

Steph Farley

Steph Farley (furthest left). Picture: LEE PAUL DOUGLAS

Steph was superb in central defence for the championship winners of 2021-22.
She then had a brief spell at Denbigh, where she scored a couple of goals in a much improved side, before returning to Rhyl.
Steph is willing to work hard to win back a regular spot in the defence, but is an adaptable player too so can be used in any position.

Laura Williams

Still as reliable as ever in various attacking positions for 1879.
She can score vital goals from just about anywhere and her passing and dead-ball deliveries are as good as they have always been.
Laura’s experience is vital in helping the younger players.

Saskia Wynne Thomas (see photo above)

Such a solid performer in the right-back position and also very useful when joining the attacks.
Probably doesn’t always get the recognition she deserves, but would always be one of my first names on the team sheet.

DENBIGH TOWN

Emily Morris

Emily Morris (centre) with sisters Lucy (left) and Charlotte

Been important at centre-back, which is a new position for her. Made some last ditch tackles whilst also getting up the pitch and providing assists and a goal. Has been solid alongside a number of different CB partners, and has picked up two player of the match awards.

Lois Roberts

Only 18 and such an outstanding attacking player. Always causing trouble for defenders down the wing, creating chances and finding the net four times.

NFA

Stella Windsor

Stella Windsor. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

Seven goals in nine league matches this season to add to her 11 in 13 appearances in 2021-22.
A really determined attacking player who continues to come along in leaps and bounds at the age of 19. One of several goal threats the team carries.

Chloe Evans

Continues to give her best for the cause in every game, again appearing fairly regularly this season after a very good 2021-22.
Comes from sound pedigree, with brother Dan having played in the Welsh Premier in the past for Rhyl and Prestatyn Town.
Chloe runs all day and was a big part of the NFA side which finished runners-up in the league and North Wales Coast Cup last season.

Megan Pursell

Another promising youngster who is starting to find the net regularly for the first team now.
Three goals in six league matches so far this season, one to watch in the months ahead.

BANGOR 1876

Ella Jones

Aged just 17, but already motoring in the women’s game with 11 goals in 10 North Wales Women’s League appearances for Bangor 1876 this season.
First made her mark at Penrhyn Bay, latterly for the under-16 girls side as a prolific goal-getter before becoming part of the dynamic 1876 set-up.

Danielle Barnfield

Does not seem that long ago that Dani was lifting the FAW Under-16 Girls Welsh Cup with Caernarfon Town, but now at 24 she is one of the ‘elder’ members of the Bangor 1876 team dominating the North Wales Women’s League with 11 straight wins.
Dani has scored eight goals for 1876 this season, regularly proving her reliability from the penalty spot.

davenwsport

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