Team Focus: Amlwch Town – end of season surge has put the Anglesey side in contention for top three finish

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Amlwch Town 3 (E Jones 2, Hughes)
Caernarfon Town 1 (Parry)

A late surge of form in the closing weeks of the season has given Amlwch a chance of snatching a top-three finish in the North Wales Women’s League.

Sunday’s 3-1 win over Caernarfon Town stretched the Anglesey side’s unbeaten record to eight league matches – six victories and two draws.

Ellie Jones found the net for the islanders after just four minutes with an incredibly effortless finish.

Amlwch played some lovely football throughout the first half and 25 minutes in, Jo Bramwell floated the ball over the defence to find Tesni Hughes, who slotted in bottom left.

Caernarfon continued to battle but Ellie Jones found the net again in the 31st minute.

Keeper Ceri Pritchard hoofed the ball up the pitch and Ellie beautifully lofted over keeper Sara Williams’ head to make it 3-0 at half time.

The second half was much less eventful and Amlwch suffered a few injuries, making the game very bitty, but Caernarfon battled on and broke through the defence to make the final score 3-1, Alaw Parry finding the net.

Player of the match for Amlwch was Emma Roberts.

One of only two teams to take a point off undefeated champions Bangor 1876, Town have flourished in recent weeks despite a number of injuries and absences which have blighted their season.

The game against 1876 was particularly pleasing as they had lost 8-0 at Nantporth earlier in the season.

Top two scorers this term have been youngsters Tesni Hughes (17 goals) and Ellie Sian Jones (13), but several others have made vital contributions, including Cerys Gadd and Emma Roberts.

Newer players such as Casey Evans, Llio Williams, Leah Jones and Cara Williams have also made an impact as the season has progressed. Lauren Bate has only been involved since February, but is yet to end up in a losing side.

And solid performers like Joanna Bramwell, Meinir Thomas, captain Carol Lewis, Kim Lodge, Emily Ridges, Sara Furlong and keeper Ceri Pritchard have also played their part.

Having a small squad has often put heavy game-time demands on the players which are available, but Amlwch have stuck at it and are now reaping the rewards.

They look a great bet for a top five finish and could well end up higher depending on results in their closing six games.

Amlwch won the Division Two Supplementary Cup in 2018-19 and the North Wales second division title in 2019-20.

Not surprisingly, nine of their players are in the Ynys Mon squad for the 2023 Island Games in Guernsey: Ceri Pritchard, Emma Roberts, Carol Lewis, Joanna Bramwell, Tesni Hughes, Ellie Sian Jones, Sara Furlong, Emily Ridges and Cerys Gadd.

AMLWCH TOWN – EIGHT WITHOUT LOSS

Feb 12: Llanfairfechan Town (h – lge) 4-1
Feb 26: Bangor 1876 (h – lge) 0-0
Mar 12: Trearddur Bay (a – lge) 1-0
Mar 26: Caernarfon Town (a – lge) 3-1
Apr 2: Llanfairfechan Town (a – lge) 3-2
Apr 16: Denbigh Town (h – lge) 4-4
Apr 23: Flint Town United (a – lge) 6-1
Apr 30: Caernarfon Town (h – lge) 3-1

TO PLAY

May 7: Llanystumdwy (a)
May 10: Northop Hall (h)
May 14: NFA (a)
May 17: Llanystumdwy (h)
May 21: CPD Pwllheli (h)
May 24: Denbigh Town (a)