Dynamic Dozen – The Females: How are they performing?
Grassroots North Wales picked 12 male and 12 female players to watch in 2022-23 at the start of the season.
Here are the latest checks on their progress.
THE FEMALES
Ellie Sian Jones (Amlwch Town)
Attacking player Ellie has shown dynamic recent form in keeping with Amlwch’s fine run of eight league games unbeaten.
The 19-year-old has scored five goals in her last three games and seven in the last five.
Ellie’s total for the season is now 13 goals from 18 appearances – awesome.
Erin Doran (Llandudno)
With Llandudno’s season now over, Erin can look back with satisfaction on her first senior campaign.
The 17-year-old played in 20 first team games, a fair few of those as a substitute in the earlier part of 2022-23, and scored twice.
She is a fine prospect who plays the game efficiently and in uncomplicated fashion.
Ava Suckley (Wrexham AFC Women)
Injury ruled her out from the end of January but Ava still played an important part in what turned into a magnificent championship-winning season for Wrexham.
The former Wales U-17 and Stoke City prospect netted 10 first team goals, plus 14 for the under-19’s.
Elana Harley (Connah’s Quay Nomads)
A marvellous debut season in Nomads colours for this 17-year-old attacking midfielder.
Elana has notched a magnificent 15 goals in 18 appearances for the first team, helping them finish runners-up in Genero Adran North. She still has a NEWFA Challenge Cup Final to come.
She also banged in 13 goals in 12 outings for the Under-19’s.
Steph Farley (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)
Returned to Rhyl 1879 in October after starting the season at former club Denbigh Town.
Defender Steph, a stand-out player in 1879’s 2021-22 North Wales League title campaign, made just eight appearances for Rhyl in tier 2, six as a substitute.
It remains to be seen what her plans are for 2023-24.
Lauren (Loz) Jones (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)
One of the stars of Rhyl’s 2021-22 North Wales League title success, Loz had to vie for the number 1 jersey with Bethan Thomas since October this season.
She played in 15 matches for 1879 this term, sharing goalkeeping duties in some games with Thomas.
Loz was strong and dependable as ever in each of her appearances.
Hana Wellings (Llanystumdwy)
Now is a good time to talk about the skipper!
She scored twice in Sunday’s 3-2 victory at Denbigh Town – Llanystumdwy’s first win in 10 league matches.
Results have not gone Llan’s way that often this season, but many of the performances have deserved better and Hana has been outstanding on a regular basis.
She has netted seven goals in 17 games, almost matching her debut season total of eight in 15 starts.
Zoe Stopford (NFA)
Brilliant player for an NFA side targeting runners-up for a second season in a row.
Zoe joined the Rhyl club at the start of 2022-23 and has a tremendous record of 14 goals in 15 matches.
A former Welsh Premier player with Rhyl FC, Zoe has also represented Holywell in the North Wales League. One of the NWWFL’s players of the season without a doubt.
Ellie Coulson (Llangefni Town)
With 12 goals in 18 league games, Ellie has been a true stand-out player in a vastly-improved Llangefni team.
Her up-front partnership with Jen Cox has produced 36 goals in all competitions.
While Ellie, 28, showed a lot of promise in 2021-22, she has really flourished this campaign and is loving her football.
Jenna Allsup (CPDM Bangor 1876)
Jenna has had a season to remember – a member of Bangor 1876’s championship-winning invincibles and scoring 11 goals in 20 league games into the bargain.
The 36-year-old has won trophies in the past with Caernarfon Town, Bethesda Athletic and Bethel but played in mainly a defensive role, whereas with 1876 she has operated in a more attacking mode.
Jordan Roberts (CPD Y Felinheli)
Last featured for Felinheli in December.
This talented goalscoring midfielder, top markswoman for Bangor 1876 last season, has played in seven first team matches for Felin, her best moment being a two-goal haul in a 4-3 success over CPD Y Rhyl 1879 in October.
Georgia Spibey (Airbus)
Joined Airbus from NFA this season.
Made 12 appearances for the Wingmakers in tier 2 Genero Adran North, scoring in the team’s only win, a 1-0 verdict against Llanfair United.
Georgia also netted a hat-trick in a 3-2 Adran Trophy success against Felinheli in October.
Good performer in what has often been a struggling side.