Genero Adran North – CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 NFA 1: Honours even at Belle Vue

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (Benjamin 53)
NFA 1 (Webster pen 45)

NFA deservedly gained not only their first point of the 2023-24 season but also ended a run of four successive defeats at the hands of Rhyl 1879.

Having begun the campaign with three straight losses, NFA bounced back last weekend with an 11-0 Welsh Cup success at Welshpool, and no doubt the Rhyl-based blues carried some confidence from that display into Sunday’s town derby at Belle Vue.

Rhyl threatened twice in the early minutes, Sade Benjamin’s powerful strike being beaten away by keeper Katie Spruce before Becca Bannister lashed a long-range free kick wide of the mark.

NFA responded well, Amy Webster with a well-hit free kick forcing Bethan Thomas to push the ball behind for a corner.

Then after 17 minutes came the best chance so far. Rebekah Hansen, a terrier down the right, crossed into the box for Webster, who had just Thomas to beat but the keeper saved with her legs.

Benjamin then broke down the right and whipped a fine effort goalwards which landed on top of the net.

After Bannister went close from 20 yards, the openings dried up for a while, NFA tackling everything in sight to deny 1879 space on the ball.

Just before the interval came a breakthrough. Rhyl player-manager Cassie Thomas was penalised for handball in the box and Webster netted emphatically from the spot.

The hosts tried to hit back before the break. Benjamin was put in the clear from a Rachael Thomas pass, but Spruce produced the save.

HALF-TIME: RHYL 1879 0-1 NFA

The second half started with Rhyl far more switched on and NFA on the back-foot.

Thomas released Benjamin again, same scenario one-on-one, but again Spruce stayed firm and came out on top.

Then on 53 minutes came the equaliser. Once more, Rachael Thomas’ nicely weighted pass put Benjamin through and this time the striker finished well against her former club.

There was a feeling that now Rhyl had scored one, they could get more, but NFA’s defence tightened up superbly and the flow of chances for Benjamin stopped.

Rhyl reverted to their first-half habit of over-hitting through balls and their passing began to go astray.

Rachael Thomas’ free kick was palmed behind by Spruce, but as the half wore on, NFA got their second wind and launched some dangerous looking attacks which hinted they could pinch the points.

However, both defences were now playing well and the best opportunity for a winner fell late to Benjamin, but Spruce produced her umpteenth good stop of the day.

In the end, a draw was a fair outcome and NFA were the happier camp at the end having broken their duck point-wise for the season and ended a losing run against their rivals.

RHYL 1879

Bethan Thomas (Lauren Jones 70), Saskia Wynne Thomas, Cassie Thomas, Rosie O’Brien, Alicia Duke, Lily Corry (Sophie Haywood 45), Rachael Thomas (c), Becca Bannister, Sade Benjamin, Millie Canon-Twyford (Chelsea Evans 45), Llio Davies.

NFA

Katie Spruce, Chloe Evans, Jess Mills, Grace Bamber, Molly Brown (Libby McClelland 52), Kelci Morris, Lois Roberts, Caitlin Hadaway, Amy Webster (Steph Short 63), Rebekah Hansen, Melanie Peake.