Bute Energy Welsh Cup – returning stars Laura Williams and Niomi Taylor shine for 1879

BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP ROUND ONE

CPD Y RHYL 1879 4 (L Williams pen 9 & 56; Benjamin 45 & 72)
LLANGEFNI TOWN 2 (J Jones 53 & 66 pen)

DAVE JONES reports from Belle Vue

In three previous competitive meetings with Llangefni, Rhyl 1879 had won 12-0. 11-0 and 12-0, but it was a different story today as the Lilywhites were made to work hard for a 4-2 Welsh Cup victory over the Anglesey side.

Both teams began the tie in lively fashion, Cefni keeper Lucy Richardson denying both Chelsea Evans and Sade Benjamin, while at the other end, Ellie Coulson found herself in a great position, but was unable to hit the target.

The deadlock was broken in the ninth minute when Niomi Taylor was fouled in the area and Laura Williams’ trusty left foot did the necessary from the penalty spot.

Rhyl began to dominate with Taylor and Williams’ presence in attack alongside Benjamin making the hosts much more of a force up front than they had been in the previous two matches, heavy back-to-back losses to Connah’s Quay.

Teenager Jess Jones was looking sharp up front for the visitors and her right-foot effort on 11 minutes did not miss by much.

Benjamin rippled the side-netting, Taylor’s downward header was saved and Laura Williams rattled the post after the ball fell to her following a Rachael Thomas corner.

Llio Davies got a head on a Williams cross, but the ball came back off the top of the bar, then Taylor sliced wide from a Benjamin pass following superb build-up.

The home team were creating numerous chances, Benjamin going close from 20 yards, then Davies was unable to capitalise after a Williams shot rebounded out off Richardson.

Benjamin slipped at the vital moment when through one-on-one, but she made no mistake in the 45th minute.

Williams’ through ball put Benjamin in the clear and the striker fired home to make it 2-0 at half time.

Llangefni needed to up their game in the second half and they certainly did that, the prolific Jen Cox coming on to add more bite into the attack.

In the 53rd minute, Cox played a decisive pass to Jess Jones, who finished really well from an acute angle.

Rhyl suddenly lost their composure and looked less comfortable on the ball as Llangefni swarmed all over them.

A nasty exchange between Taylor and Llangefni’s Cara Hughes on the left wing led to both players being yellow-carded by referee Tony Samuel.

Rhyl needed some breathing space and got it when Laura Williams whipped a high ball goalwards which dropped in under the bar beyond keeper Richardson.

The goal bore resemblance to Germany taking the lead against England in the 1990 World Cup semi-final when Andreas Brehme’s shot deflected off Paul Parker’s heel and ballooned freakishly high before coming down into the net beyond a hapless Peter Shilton..

Llangefni were anything but finished. Cox shot agonisingly wide before in the 63rd minute Hannah Owen was brought down just inside the penalty area by Saskia Wynne Thomas.

A spot-kick was awarded and Jess Jones coolly put away her 16th goal of the season in just seven matches.

Rhyl were now looking shaky again. Cox headed a fraction wide before being gifted the ball by Rosie O’Brien, but keeper Bethan Thomas was quick off her line to thwart the striker.

In the 72nd minute, another slice of luck benefited 1879. This time Benjamin’s strike from 20 yards was straight at Richardson, but she somehow managed to fumble the ball into the net. It was Benjamin’s 11th goal of the campaign.

Town then had Cara Hughes dismissed for a second yellow and this signalled the end of their challenge, Benjamin missing a great opportunity for a hat-trick.

Young substitute Imogen Williams produced some really promising play for the Lilywhites in the closing minutes.

Rhyl go through, but Llangefni proved once more in this game what an improved side they are.

The Tier 3 visitors were up against a team from a level above, yet performed very creditably, but those somewhat fortunate – or unfortunate in Town’s case – third and fourth home goals proved their downfall.

RHYL 1879

Bethan Thomas
Saskia Wynne-Thomas
Sophie Haywood
Cassie Thomas
Rosie O’Brien
Laura Williams
Rachael Thomas (c)
Sade Benjamin
Chelsea Evans
Llio Davies
Niomi Taylor
SUBS USED
Imogen Williams
Millie Cannon-Twyford

LLANGEFNI TOWN

Lucy Richardson
Cara Hughes
Marissa George
Mared Roberts
Catrin George
Nia Ginnelly (c)
Ellie Coulson
Hannah Owen
Jess Jones
Ffion Thomas
Megan Summers-Jones
SUB USED
Jen Cox