NEWFA Cup – Denbigh Town enjoy more knockout glory as women’s team progress on penalties

NEWFA WOMEN’S CHALLENGE CUP SECOND ROUND

DENBIGH TOWN 2 (Charlotte Morris 55, Esra Gunes 68)
TREARDDUR BAY 2 (Gemma Thomas 20, Gail Paterson-Manning 83 pen)
DENBIGH WON 3-2 ON PENS

With their men’s team having reached the national FAW Trophy semi-finals the day before, Denbigh Town’s ladies made it a double celebration for the club as they prevailed on penalties in the Sunday’s NEWFA Cup clash at Central Park.

Anglesey’s Trearddur Bay made the long journey to the Vale of Clwyd and played more than their part in a cracking contest.

The visitors started the brighter, putting pressure on the home side’s defence. They got their reward 20 minutes in when they were awarded a free kick about 35 yards out.

Gemma Thomas’ delivery caused confusion in the box and Town defender Llio Hafal got a nick on the ball as it was looped over, taking it past onrushing keeper Katie Spruce, who could not quite manage to keep it out of the net. Thomas is claiming the goal.

Denbigh Town had a few decent opportunities to level the scores before half time but Trearddur’s defence was equal to everything.

A change was made during half time with Lucy Morris replaced by the lively Esra Gunes.

Denbigh started to control the game a bit more and on 55 minutes, Charlotte Morris finally got the hosts level with a composed finish after a good ball played to her by Amber Hellon.

Denbigh’s heads were up now and they kept pushing for the winner. On 68 minutes, Eluned Evans found young Gunes in the box and she lifted the ball calmly over the oncoming keeper to take the hosts into a deserved lead.

But Trearddur were not finished and were awarded a controversial penalty in the eyes of the home team. Nevertheless, Gail Paterson-Manning stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner beyond the reach of Spruce.

It was all to play for going into the last few minutes, but both sides defended well, and the game ended 2-2.

Spruce, who had already saved four penalties this season, kept out the decisive spot-kick to make it a 3-2 victory to the hosts.

Charlotte Morris, Emily Morris and Llio Hafal netted Denbigh’s penalties.

Denbigh Town: Katie Spruce (GK), Carla Rizzi (Jessica Duff 65), Emily Morris, Llio Hafal, Shannon Jones, Amber Hellon, Elen James-Owen (C) (Roslyn Fryer 83), Eluned Evans, Lucy Morris (Esra Gunes 45), Lois Roberts, Charlotte Morris.

Trearddur Bay: Georgia Magee, Shelley McMullan, N/A, Gemma Thomas, Chloe Taylor, Gail Paterson-Manning, Ashleigh Jones, Abbie Manning, Freya Davies, Rhian Griffiths, Saffron Williams. Subs: Nicole Norris, Gem Lancaster.