North Wales Women’s League – stunning wins for Flint and Caernarfon, Amlwch nine unbeaten, Denbigh strike late
NORTH WALES WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE – REPORTS MAY 7
NFA 2 Flint Town United 3
One of the surprises of the season in the North Wales Women’s Football League occurred at Rhyl as fourth-from-bottom Flint claimed a 3-2 victory at second-place NFA.
The hosts had been granted a tier 2 licence in the week, meaning they can rise to the Genero Adran North in 2023-24 if they finish runners-up in the NWWFL, or can still be promoted at the league’s discretion.
A defeat today against a team they beat 6-0 away back in November was not on the agenda.
NFA fielded a depleted squad with strikers Amy Webster and Sade Benjamin sharing the goalkeeping duties.
Zoe Stopford gave the Rhyl side a 15th minute lead, but Kaelyn Williams levelled on 17 and it stayed 1-1 up to half time.
Winger Daisy Hughes put Flint in front three minutes into the second half, but the impressive Stopford scored again for the hosts in the 57th – her 16th goal of the season.
Jennifer Haynes then set up Daisy Hughes to put the Silkwomen 3-2 up after 65.
There was to be no comeback for NFA, who lost for just the fourth time this season and now have Pwllheli breathing down their necks for second place.
Llanystumdwy 1 Amlwch Town 3
Top-scoring duo Tesni Hughes and Ellie Sian Jones were in the goals again as Amlwch made it nine games unbeaten and 23 points out of a possible last 27.
The Anglesey side look a good bet for a top-four finish at least following Sunday’s success at Llanystumdwy.
Amlwch showed determination against a physical Llan team with a goal from Hughes arriving after just four minutes.
Town took advantage of a mistake through the home defence with an assist from Emily Ridges and Hughes slotting home bottom right.
The rest of the half was not for the faint-hearted with a few yellow cards shown. Hughes was brought down just outside the box by an arm around her neck.
Llan capitalised on a break to make it 1-1 at half time with a beautiful lofted effort over keeper Ceri Pritchard’s head from Sian-Elin Morgan-Price.
After a solid interval team talk Amlwch finally started playing football with a near miss from Ellie Jones early on.
A few minutes later Ridges again slotted the ball out to the wing and Jones put away her 14th goal of the season.
A couple of free kick opportunities for both teams were not capitalised on with some good saves from Llan keeper Sara Lacey.
The third and final Amlwch goal came on 83 minutes. Jones fed the ball through to Hughes, who rode a strong challenge, the advantage was given and the striker fired in her 19th goal of the campaign.
In the final minute there was a free kick outside the Llan box. Ridges found player of the match Jo Bramwell, who hit the back off the net but was ruled offside.
Denbigh Town 3 Trearddur Bay 2
A great battle at Central Park brought Denbigh their first league win in seven attempts.
Town’s last triumph had also come against Trearddur Bay in the NWCFA Women’s Cup.
Anglesey side Trearddur got off to a flyer, Hannah Smith and Yasmin Wilcox both scoring in the first 10 minutes, Rhian Griffiths with the assists.
Eluned Evans replied for the hosts just before half time.
Three minutes into the second half, Paige Morris made it two apiece.
It looked like a draw was on the cards until Amber Hellon delivered a 91st minute winner.
Northop Hall 1 Caernarfon Town 3
Hat-trick hero Lisa Jones was the star of the show as she inspired Caernarfon to just their second win of the season.
Jones broke the deadlock on seven minutes and it stayed 1-0 up to half time.
A second for Jones five minutes into the second half put the Cofis in command, but Daisy Allen pulled one back from the penalty spot on 63.
Jones was unstoppable for Caernarfon and completed her treble in the 65th minute, putting her on 13 goals for the season.