Keeper stars as NFA take three vital points at Llangefni

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE – APR 30

Llangefni Town 2 (Thomas pen 87, J Jones 90+5)
NFA 3 (Benjamin 24, Hansen 28, Webster 90+1)

NFA goalkeeper Courtney Ingram produced a stunning performance described by one of Llangefni’s management as the best he has seen in the league.

Cefni lost for the first time in eight matches and missed a chance to go second as an Ingram-inspired NFA took the points at Cae Bob Parry to boost their own chances of finishing runners-up.

The Anglesey side had grabbed a 3-3 draw at Ffordd Derwen in March and this equally close return was in stark contrast to the matches between the pair last term, which delivered two crushing wins for NFA.

Llangefni manager Dan Gregg said after the match: “Two fantastic games against NFA this season! Hard to believe last season the results were 7-0 and 6-1 in their favour.

“Shows how far this team has come that we are pushing teams like NFA so hard. Big mention to Courtney Ingram today who was the best player on the park by a million miles.

“Our assistant manager Liam Ewing is a goalkeeper himself and said that was the best goalkeeping performance he’s seen since being in this league. We can take heart from knowing that on another day the result could have been completely different/”

In their penultimate home game of the season and looking to overtake the visitors into second place, Llangefni started well putting plenty of pressure on the NFA back-line,

Seventeen minutes in and Cefni top-scorer Jen Cox was sent through one-on-one with Ingram who took the striker down on the edge of the penalty area and was only shown a yellow card with the home player clean through.

Seven minutes later against the run of play Sade Benjamin had a half volley snap shot in the Llangefni box and sent the visitors ahead with a instinctive finish.

Four minutes later from a dangerous corner into the box by Benjamin the ball bounced kindly, and Rebekah Hansen tapped in to extend the lead.

Llangefni continued to make chances with Cox having numerous one-on-ones with Ingram and each time the NFA stopper producing a goalkeeping clinic to keep the goal machine at bay.

In the 73rd minute Cefni gambled and off came captain and holding midfielder Nia Ginnelly for youngster Jess Jones.

Again, Cox went through but Ingram came out and bravely took the ball.

The hosts continued to battle and in the 87th minute Cox was felled in the box by Jessica Mills, who was shown a red card. Up stepped the ever-reliable Ffion Thomas to give Llangefni hope with her 13th goal of the season.

Town continued to press NFA and took risks by over-committing to try and get the equaliser,

NFA capitalised on this when captain Amy Webster finished well to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

With plenty of stoppage time due to an injury to Marissa George, Llangefni never gave in and again showed great character when Jess Jones hit an incredible strike into the top corner to again make the home side believe.

Unfortunately, the clock was against them and NFA held out to win 3-2.