Genero Adran North – Chelsea’s injury-time stunner wins Rhyl seven-goal thriller, Wrexham thrash Llandudno, Nomads scrape victory in Powys

GENERO ADRAN NORTH

CPD Y RHYL 1879 4 (Thomas 9 & 45+2, Crockett 26, C Evans 90+1)
AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON 3 (Owen 21, Dykes 84 & 89)

Super sub Chelsea Evans was the toast of Belle Vue after her stunning injury-time winner delivered three points for a Rhyl side which had let a 3-1 lead slip in the closing minutes.

Airbus could perhaps feel unlucky not to take a point after producing a great late fightback, but former Northop Hall midfielder Evans chose the perfect moment to net her first goal for the Lilywhites.

Rhyl were keen to test Wingmakers keeper Ruby Stevens with long range shots from the off and one fifth-minute effort from Becca Bannister was pushed onto the bar by the young stopper.

The ball came back off the underside of the crossbar, but did not cross the goal-line.

The hosts did edge ahead in the ninth minute. Niomi Taylor broke down the left into the box, found Tegan Crockett who helped the ball on and captain Rachael Thomas fired home.

Taylor was released by a Laura Williams pass, but Stevens saved bravely at the tall striker’s feet.

From their first real threat, Airbus equalised in the 21st minute, Captain Bethan Davies worked the ball out wide and Anna Owen’s cross-come-shot sailed in over keeper Loz Jones.

Rhyl were back in front on 26 minutes, Crockett getting the final touch after a Thomas corner caused havoc in the away defence.

The home team needed breathing space and got it two minutes into added time at the end of the half. Thomas lofted in another tantalising corner which this time directly found the net.

The second half saw plenty of strong tackles and numerous goal attempts, but neither defence was breached until the 84th minute.

Sub Natalie Harrison had livened up the Broughton attack and her forward thrusts began to make things happen.

Jade Scott delivered a corner from the right and substitute Charlotte Dykes bundled the ball home.

Now the Wingmakers had their tails up and it was no surprise when they made it three-apiece in the 89th minute.

Again it was a Scott corner which spelled danger and once more Dykes forced the ball in to level it.

Shellshocked Rhyl refused to accept their lot and in the first minute of added time they bagged a dramatic winner.

The Lilywhites built nicely around the edge of the box before 80th minute sub Evans got her right foot shot off quickly from about 18 yards and the ball cleared Stevens’ grasp to find the roof of the net.

Defenders Alicia Duke, Saskia Wynne Thomas, Sophie Haywood and Hana Eagles stood out for the hosts, while youngsters Llion Davies and Millie Cannon-Twyford also impressed.

RHYL 1879

Loz Jones (Bethan Thomas 46)
Saskia Wynne Thomas
Sophie Haywood
Hana Eagles
Rebecca Bannister
Tegan Crockett
Laura Williams
Rachael Thomas (c)
Llio Davies (Chelsea Evans 80)
Alicia Duke
Niomi Taylor (Millie Cannon-Twyford 54)

LLANFAIR UNITED 2 (H Davies 6, G Jones 23)
CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS 3 (Strapp 8, Hamer 44, Kural pen 57)

Underdogs Llanfair were unfortunate not to take a point after they put up a tremendous battle against title-chasing Nomads.

Harriet Davies gave the Powys hosts a third-minute lead, but Sienna Strapp equalised from a tight angle after eight.

The home side edged in front again when Gemma Jones netted on 23 minutes, but just before the break Tamara Hamer levelled.

The winner came in the 57th minute, top-scorer Kirstie Kural converting a penalty awarded for a challenge on Rachel Lever.

LLANDUDNO 0
WREXHAM 5 (McKenzie 56, Hughes 57, 60 & 65, Pritchard pen 90+3)

An eight-minute hat-trick in the second half from Wrexham’s Rosie Hughes against her former club made sure the Dragons made it seven straight wins.

It also ensured the battle to become champions is a virtual two-horse race, with today’s result leaving current title-holders Llandudno 11 points behind Wrexham in third place.

After a goalless first half at Nantporth Stadium, Libby McKenzie broke the deadlock on 56 minutes.

Hughes then took centre stage with goals on 57, 60 and 65 minutes to end the fixture as a contest.

To compound Llandudno’s misery, Rebecca Pritchard put away a penalty in added time.

Tudno played really well in the first half, but their injury struggles caught up with them after the break as Wrexham stepped up a gear and Rosie went to town.