Marissa magic sets Llangefni Town on their way to another home win

Eleanora Coulson (blue kit – nearest ball) scored her 10th goal of the season last Sunday. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE – FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Llangefni Town 3 (M George 8, Coulson 32, OG 44)
Trearddur Bay 0

Llangefni welcomed fellow islanders Trearddur Bay to Cae Bob Parry for the first time ever on Sunday in what was a hotly anticipated derby.

Cefni knew a win was a must if they want to retain third place and keep NFA honest in pursuit of a runners-up spot

The returning Marissa George looked dangerous from set pieces and it paid off after eight minutes when she delivered a wickedly delivered corner which beat keeper Georgia Magee at her near post and put Town 1-0 up.

Marissa George (left) is congratulated on her goal by Hannah Owen. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

The game continued in the same vein, and after 30 minutes Marissa George again crossed fantastically into the box for Eleanora Coulson to pounce and put herself on double figures for the season.

Llangefni defender Megan Summers-Jones then picked up a yellow card for a handball on the edge of the area. She reacted to the decision and a second yellow followed leaving the home team with 10 players for the remaining 50 minutes.

However, Cefni rallied, did not look to be at a disadvantage and somehow managed to dominate in no small part down to the work rate they show every week.

Front pair Coulson and Jen Cox showed there is so much more to them than goals.

Another into the box delivery and an unfortunate own goal sent Llangefni 3-0 up at half time.

Llangefni’s Llinos Hughes (blue) is challenged by Gail Paterson-Manning. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

After a bruising 60 minutes Cox gave way to a goal-desperate Jess Jones, who matched Cox’s work rate, showing she is learning from the two older role models.

Lara Cain replaced Ffion Thomas with 20 remaining and helped stretch the Bay defence with her pace.

Winning manager Dan Gregg said: “I thought we showed some character today. 10 players with 50 minutes remaining meant everyone needed to put a shift in and what a shift they put in!

Cara Hughes (blue) evades a Trearddur tackle. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

“Jen Cox was clearly a part of the Trearddur tactics prior to the game and had some rough treatment but the good thing for us is that concentrating on Jen gives El more space and time – and having Jess Jones gives us another dimension.

“A good physical derby match from both teams, exactly how it showed be.Three points and we move on to Llanystumdwy away next week which is always an incredibly tough place to go.”

TEAMS

LLANGEFNI TOWN

Jessica Marshall
Cara Hughes
Marissa George
Nia Ginnelly (c)
Eleanora Coulson
Jen Cox (Jess Jones 61)
Hannah Owen
Catrin George
Megan Summers-Jones
Ffion Thomas (Lara Cain 68)
Llinos Hughes

TREARDDUR BAY

Georgia Magee (Gem Lancaster 45)
Chloe Taylor
Gemma Thomas
Shelley McMullan
Sarah Flower
Hannah Smith
Ashleigh Jones (c) (Stacey Evans 63)
Gail Paterson-Manning (Rhian Griffiths 63 – Saffron Williams 82)
Sian Roberts
Freya Davies
N/A