Jess Marshall saves yet another penalty as Llangefni come back from two-down to draw

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE – APRIL 16

Northop Hall 2 (Holland 26 & 56)
Llangefni Town 2 (Coulson 75, J Jones 79)

A late rally from Llangefni earned them a point and stretched their unbeaten run to six matches.

Dan Gregg’s team applied early pressure, but the home side stood up to it with some fantastic blocks and tackles, Abbie Holland leading by example at the heart of the Northop defence.

The hosts settled and started to take control. In the 26th minute Holland struck to make it 1-0 to the Hall.

Both sides then had chances as the game swayed between the two evenly-matched outfits.

Just before half time Brygida Gorecka went down in the box and earned the home team a penalty.

Up stepped Holland but a fantastic save from Jess Marshall, who was then straight up on her feet to see the taker smash the rebound over the bar, kept the visitors alive at the break. Marshall continued her reputation as one of the league’s best penalty stoppers.

Llangefni tried to settle down after the restart and get the ball under control but 11 minutes in Holland buried a free kick to make it 2-0 to the Hall.

Cefni reacted, bringing Jess Jones on for Mared Roberts and moving to three in defence in an attempt to force themselves back into the game.

Just five minutes later Ellie Coulson hit a left-footed shot past Bethan Hughes to give the visitors hope.

Then four minutes after the substitution paid off when Jen Cox burst through, forcing a top save from Hughes which rebounded to Jess Jones, who smashed in on the half volley to bring Llangefni level.

Both sides then had chances to win, Northop flashing a header agonisingly close, Cox’s acrobatic volley just going over the bar and Marshall producing a top save to tip over.

Llangefni player of the match – captain Nia Ginnelly
Northop player of the match – Abbie Holland

After the match, Town manager Gregg said: “Not our best game today but we showed some heart and determination to come back in that second half.

“The girls do not know when they are beat. We’ve lost just once in 10 games in the league which shows the run of form we are on and sometimes it’s hard to keep these effort levels high for so long.

“The girls put every piece of themselves into every game and sacrifice so much. Hats off to Northop today who played some tidy stuff and defended so well, I thought Abbie Holland was something else at the back, put her body on the line several times and blocked and cleared everything.

“Another tough away day next week to Denbigh Town. We’ll rest up and be ready.”

TEAMS

NORTHOP HALL

Bethan Hughes
Jodie Davis
Alison Whitley
Daisy Allen
N/A
Brygida Gorecka
Hannah Williams
Ellen Sharps
Gemma L Williams
Abbie Holland
Taylor Roberts
SUBS
Joann Bennion
Lauren Chambers

LLANGEFNI TOWN

Jessica Marshall
Marissa George
Mared Roberts
Nia Ginnelly (c)
Ellie Coulson
Jen Cox
Hannah Owen
Megan Summers-Jones
Ffion Thomas
Llinos Hughes
SUBS
Lara Cain
Jess Jones
Kaitlin Toulmin
Sharlee Owen
N/A