Football

Bumper season for Ynys Môn’s football women bodes well for Island Games

A familiar sight last season – Llangefni Town’s Jen Cox (blue) raising her hands in the air after scoring a goal. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

What you are about to read augurs well for the chances of Ynys Môn’s football women making a big impression at the Island Games in Guernsey next month.

Statistics show female football in Anglesey was on the up last season in more ways than one.

As in 2021-22, Môn had three teams competing in the North Wales Women’s League – Llangefni Town, Amlwch Town and Trearddur Bay.

Cefni improved vastly in 2022-23, finishing third compared to eighth the season before. Amlwch placed fifth in 2022-23, but would probably have grabbed third had they been allowed to play their final fixture. In 2021-22, Town were fourth so their consistency remains.

And Trearddur Bay were ninth in their debut season, but ended up seventh in 2022-23, with improvements all round.

Also hugely impressive in 2022-23 was the amount of goals scored by Ynys Môn players.

The season before, the top five marks-women ranged from seven to 19 goals.

In 2022-23, the leading quintet differed from 14 goals up to 30!

Here’s a rundown on the island’s most prolific net-finders (all competitions included).

TOP SIX GOALSCORERS IN ANGLESEY WOMEN’S FOOTBALL 2022-23

30 GOALS
Jen Cox (Llangefni Town)

Jen receives her top scorer award for 2022-23 from managers Dan Gregg (left) and Liam Ewing

An amazing season for the all-action striker, who scored 28 times in the league and 30 in all competitions.

She netted six hat-tricks, was top-scorer in the league and third highest in North Wales overall.

Was second on Ynys Môn’s list in 2021-22, so went one better last season.

22 GOALS
Tesni Hughes (Amlwch Town)

Tesni receives her Goal of the Season and Top Scorer awards at Amlwch Town’s presentation night. Picture: GETHIN JONES

Top net-finder on Ynys Môn in 2021-22, but was second last season even though she scored more than in the previous one.

18 GOALS
Ellie Jones (Amlwch Town)

Ellie Jones receives her Young Player of the Season award at Amlwch Town’s annual presentations. Picture: Gethin Jones

Brilliant season for a youngster chosen as one of Grassroots North Wales’ Dynamic Dozen to watch in 2022-23.

As the season progressed, the speedy Ellie just got better and more prolific, forming a great partnership with Tesni Hughes.

17 GOALS
Ffion Thomas (Llangefni Town)

Ffion Thomas (centre) receives her Fans Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards from managers Dan Gregg (left) and Liam Ewing. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

One big plus for Llangefni last season was the goals produced by other members of the side as well as Jen Cox.

Left-winger Ffion Thomas was a revelation, scoring 17 times including some vital late goals and expert penalty kicks.

14 GOALS
Ellie Coulson (Llangefni Town)

Ellie (blue) had a tremendous season for Llangefni. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

Showed promise in her first season alongside Cox, but last term Ellie really came to the fore, her great assists accompanied by an excellent return of 14 goals.

11 GOALS
Ashleigh Jones (Trearddur Bay)

Ashleigh Jones (left) in action against Kinmel Bay

Landed a deserved place in midfield for Ynys Môn’s Island Games squad after a great season for Trearddur, where she proved an inspirational captain and a consistent goal scorer, netting 11 times.

TOP FIVE SCORERS IN ANGLESEY 2021-22

Tesni Hughes (Amlwch Town) – 19 goals
Jennifer Cox (Llangefni Town) – 12 goals
Shannon Thomas (Amlwch Town) – 11 goals
Lowri Thomas (Amlwch Town) – 9 goals
Sara Furlong (Amlwch Town) – 7 goals