After two difficult years Molly is on the comeback trail

Footballer Molly Watkinson is on the comeback trail after a long break from the game due to injuries and health problems.

The 21-year-old made her Welsh Premier League debut for Llandudno at 16 and went on to score goals for Penrhyn Bay in the North Wales Women’s League.

But when the pandemic came in 2020, competitive football was cancelled and Molly had to train in isolation. It was here her problems began.

Injuries and illness marred her schedule and many frustrating months of unwanted rest ensued.

Thankfully, after a tough two years, she had the all-clear after Christmas 2022 and the young striker is now back playing recreational football for Conwy.

It is hoped she can get back to the fitness and play levels reached in 2019-20.

Molly said: “I’m back playing after a long time out due to health problems. After blood tests, I had to stop playing but I had the all-clear after Christmas.

“All the testing for blood clots etc and my random bruising which resulted in me being out for so long has improved. I play recreational for Conwy Ladies, scored in my first 2 games back – a hat-trick against Eglwysbach and two against Llysfaen.

“It’s been a good start for my first 2 games back after 2 years out and no games.

“I couldn’t play contact sport for over 18 months due to the issues with my legs and after several blood tests and scans and visits to the hematologist in Glan Clwyd, I finally got all clear from the tests results. Now I can finally keep fit and play the sport I love.

“I had to stop fitness training altogether which was so hard and frustrating for me as I became a shadow of myself. I used to be a very healthy and active person, so the past 18 months were a very difficult period.”

Speaking of her problems during the Covid outbreak, Molly added: “Covid came, so did isolation and frustration and of course fear of the unknown to help me cope with lockdown.

“I got into my fitness once I was allowed to do so. I was running every day, doing from home in Craig-y-Don along the prom up Happy Valley over Haulfre Gardens then down to West Shore.

“I was also running around the Orme and going up Nant-y-Gamer. This exercising gave me time out, something to focus on.

“Because of the isolation I was also doing fun kick-ups on-line just to pass the time; I found it helped me massively throughout the lockdown.

Big setback

“Then I burst a blood vessel in my lower leg, had to send photos over the phone with links etc because I could not see the doctor.

“Then I started getting random bruises all over my legs, went repeatedly to docs for blood tests etc, but they couldn’t find anything.

“Then I was sent to see a more specialist hermology doctor for more in depth tests. Still nothing found, but I was told no contact sport at all, no running, no bike, no exercise.

“That lasted two years. It was very worrying and also frustrating. I’m still under the hospital because they do not know what it is (that’s wrong), but I’m allowed to play contact sport again through recreational football. It’s great to be back.

“The burst blood vessel was due to overdoing fitness during lockdown. I had some great energy, it’s a shame my injury happened as the outdoors during lockdown was great for my mental well-being and it all came as a big blow when I had to stop, very depressing.”

Thankfully Molly has emerged from her personal hell and is on the road back to playing fully competitive football again.

She started off playing with the boys aged around 9 for Mochdre and then joined Junction girls team. She eventually signed for Llandudno Ladies and then moved on to Penrhyn Bay.

Among her fondest memories are scoring a stunning goal in the 2018 North Wales Girls Under 16 Cup Final versus Corwen and also appearing in the top women’s league for Llandudno.

Everyone on the local football scene who knows her will have their fingers firmly crossed for a successful and injury-free future for this ardent Manchester City fan.