Amlwch became the first team to take a point off leaders Bangor 1876 in 18 matches this season – and in all truth the Anglesey side would have been worthy winners.
The 1876 management warned beforehand that they could be in for their toughest test of the campaign against a Town outfit who are notably strong at their own Lon Bach base.
And so it proved, the visiting side which had scored 109 goals in their previous 17 matches being unable to get one past the islanders.
On the plus side for the table-toppers, Bangor kept their 13th clean sheet of 2022-23.
Amlwch came out fighting ready to halt Bangor’s unbeaten run, battling for everything and making sure 1876 had no time on the ball.
Tesni Hughes and Ellie Sian Jones were a power couple up front, causing the Bangor defence some discomfort, but keeper Becca Elliot was on top performance.
The visitors threatened when from a corner Ella Pickstock’s header was kept out by Ceri Pritchard and Jenna Allsup nodded the rebound over the bar.
No score at half time and in the second stanza Amlwch made sure they were still up for the fight and battled for every ball.
Town kept going strong until the end, showing grit and determination and their performance was worthy of victory, but stopping Bangor’s winning streak was seen as a win enough.
Tenacious all over the park, the home team’s performance was a million miles away from the disappointing 8-0 drubbing at Nantporth earlier this season.
Away keeper Elliott made four good saves in the match, denying Hughes, Jones and Meinir Thomas.
Amlwch: Ceri Pritchard, Emma Roberts, Cerys Gadd, Ellie Jones, Carol Lewis (c), Jo Branwell, Meinir Thomas, Tesni Hughes, Leah Jones, Sara Furlong, Emily Ridges. Subs: Llio Williams, Kim Lodge, Cara Williams, Lauren Bate, N/A.
Bangor 1876: Becca Elliott, Ffion Bee, Catrin Hughes, Alys Davis, Mia Roberts, Jenna Allsup, Ella Pickstock, Ella Jones, Elin Jones, Stevie Donougher, Sophie Allsop. Subs: Nia Roberts, Leni Jones, Cerys Parry, Ella New, Lucy Richardson.
The very impressive Zoe Stopford netted her first hat-trick for NFA who remain second in the table.
Stopford scored on eight, 18 and seven minutes into added time for the Rhyl hosts to boost her goals haul for the season to 10.
Top markswoman Sade Benjamin added goals on five and 81 minutes to reach 22 this term, while Amy Webster found the net close to the hour – her 10th in 2022-23.
Manager Rebekah Hansen said: “Today we welcomed Llanfairfechan and to their credit they gave us a game.
“We tried to implement the way we play in the first half and it worked (leading 3-0 at the break).
“I felt in the second half we needed to take another approach at it, playing a different system, and the ladies applied themselves very well.
“We never looked like conceding, our creativity changed for the better and we always looked like we was going to score.
“Great credit to Llanfairfechan for never giving in.”
Alicia Duke made a pleasing debut for NFA following her recent signing from CPD Y Rhyl 1879. Midfielder Caitlin Hadaway was named Player of the Match.
A great day at Nantporth Stadium for Flint who gained three points in an outstanding performance in front of a strong away following.
It was a fourth win of the season for the league newcomers and lifted them out of the bottom three.
The game started with a confident and well composed Flint, creating good opportunities and producing many clear cut chances.
Kaelyn Williams opened the scoring after latching on to a through ball by Tara Davies and striking an effort from 20 yards past the outstretched leg of Caernarfon keeper Gwenllian Bell-Rennie.
Caernarfon retaliated and tested Flint’s defensive solidarity, one shot being fantastically saved by away keeper Rebecca Bott.
The visitors regained control of the game shortly after with Caitlin Latham, outstanding in the defensive midfield position, feeding the ball to Flint’s attacking outlets, who created solid opportunities on each occasion.
The second half began strongly with both teams eager for a goal, creating a real end to end game. Daisy Hughes was particularly dangerous in this period, looking to beat her defender in different ways.
The home team came back stronger with Caernarfon’s Lisa Jones creating several chances to put a good delivery into the danger area. Due in no small part to the performance of Abi Bradley, who has filled in at centre back really well, the away rearguard stayed firm.
With full time closing in Flint continued to press, looking confident in possession, and secured the three points in the 86th minute when Rosie Hughes beat the offside trap to seal the game with a calmly-placed finish.
Although missing captain Sinead Beck through injury, The Silkwomen have now picked up two wins in their last four outings.
Flint: Rebecca Bott (GK), Chloe Hughes, Abi Bradley, Charlotte Walters (C), Caitlin Latham, Daisy Hughes, Talia Jones, Kaelyn Williams, Rosie Hughes, Tara Davies, Taylia Chaloner. Subs: Charlotte Durrans, Eva Gowen. POTM was Caitlin Latham.
Third-place Llangefni’s great league form continued as they made it five straight home wins in the NWWFL after finishing on top in the Anglesey derby.
Defender Marissa George put Cefni on their way by opening the scoring in the eighth minute and Ellie Coulson doubled the lead on 32 with her 10th goal of the campaign.
Llangefni suffered a blow before the break when Megan Summers-Roberts was sent off for a second yellow card, but a minute prior to half time, an own goal put Town three-up.
And that was the end of the scoring.
Abbie Holland marked just her second game of the season for Northop Hall with a double strike in Sunday’s home draw.
Holland, 28, has featured for some of the Hall silverware-winning sides in the recent past, but appeared for the first time in 2022-23 in the 2-2 draw with Trearddur Bay on February 12.
She scored on 32 and 67 minutes against Llanystumdwy, but goals from Tash Matthews (17 min) and a Grace Mpuku penalty (48) made sure the travellers took a point.
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