Felinheli hit six in Adran North Trophy group triumph

ADRAN NORTH TROPHY GROUP 2

CPDM Y Felinheli 6 (Allsup 2 & 31, Fflur Williams 14, K Jones 45+6, C Evans 76 & 90 pen)
Airbus UK Broughton 2 (Ellis 28, N/A 80)

Two players who recently returned to Felinheli scored a pair of goals apiece in an emphatic 6-2 Ardal North group victory at Cae Seilo.

Jenna Allsup and Catrin Evans both struck twice as Aaron Jones Evans’ side continued their flying start to the 2023-24 campaign.

With several key players missing due to work commitments and injuries, Felinheli were still able to field a strong squad due to their recruitment in the summer with debutant Christiana Naziris on the bench for the first time this season.

In their third game this week, Felin started quickly with Jordanne Greenough and Evans occupying the wings and the experienced Allsup leading the line.

With Felinheli stringing the passes together, Airbus were not able to settle and it only took the hosts two minutes to take the lead,

Fflur Williams played the ball over the top to Allsup who made a clever run in between the two centre backs. Airbus goalkeeper Ruby Stevens was out quickly but the ball ricocheted off her into the path of Allsup, who calmly slotted in to make it 1-0.

After 14 minutes, Allsup went from goal scorer to assist maestro. Again some flowing football from the back from Felinheli resulted in a corner. Evans whipped in a dangerous ball, Allsup nodded on and Fflur Williams on hand to find the back of the net.

In the 28th minute, Airbus pulled one back.

A free kick from a seemingly non-threatening position was driven into the area and a rare miscommunication from the Felin defence allowed Catrin Ellis, who looked like she was in an offside position, to slot home and make it 2-1.

A couple of minutes later the two-goal lead was restored. Llio Henshaw lofted a pinpoint pass which Allsup met after a well-timed run, keeping her composure in front of goal and beating the keeper.

Felinheli continued their dominance of the ball, playing some intricate football with Evans being their focal point.

Felin got a corner at the end of the half, Evans put in a quality delivery and Kelly Jones met the ball with a superbly-timed run to bulge the back of the net with a bullet header.

One negative Felin took from the half was Greenough being forced off due to a tight hamstring and replaced by youngster Elain Llwyd.

The second half started as the first ended with Felin having most of the ball and snuffing Airbus out, although Charlotte Dykes was having a fine game and carrying all the threat from the away side.

There were no further goals until the 76th minute. Felinheli were awarded a free kick on halfway. With Airbus pinned back and expecting a long ball, Kelly Jones played short to keeper Catrin Beech whose superb delivery released Catrin Evans to score in a one on one with Stevens.

Again a lapse in concentration at the back and a mirror of Airbus’ first goal bought the score to 5-2 with Dykes this time getting on the end of some scrappy defending from Felin.

Three games in a week for Felinheli was starting to show with some very tired legs.

Hana Wellings, Allsup, Llio Emyr and Jody Cain all made way for Erin Gibbard, Ceri Hickey, Kyla Cain and debutant Naziris.

This didn’t seem to disrupt the flow too much as Felin kept the attacks up with Airbus having their fair share of the action too.

At around the 90-minute mark, Catrin Evans danced her way into the box, was brought down and put away the resultant penalty for 6-2.

The drama wasn’t over as this time it was Felinheli conceding a penalty at the death. The brilliant Beech, named woman of the match due to her distribution and calmness on the ball, was to solidify that decision with a brilliant one-handed save to her left.

The Airbus attackers rushed on to get another shot from the rebound but Beech was up and ready and palmed the ball on to the post and out of play.

Aaron Jones-Evans said: “It’s been a tough week for the women, 3 games in very warm conditions but we got through it with 3 wins.

“We have a great squad and I’m happy that we can put a performance like that in after a long week.

“We will not get carried away with these performances, we know that there is still a lot of work to do and still some things we need to tighten up on, but in time these things will come, we will concentrate on the next game and we will take this season that way, one game at a time.

“Super proud of everyone today, Catrin Beech was superb and a big congratulations to Christiana Naziris who made her debut.”