Football

Betty Pickering Cup – first Welshpool victory is well worth wait

Nai Evans (red and white, eyes on ball) was a two-goal hero for Welshpool at Northop Hall. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR with thanks

BETTY PICKERING CUP GROUP A

Northop Hall 1 (Gorecka 33)
Welshpool Town 3 (Evans 42 & 72; Stubbs 49)

After beginning their comeback season with a run of six heavy defeats Welshpool turned the tables with a much-welcomed win at Rowley’s Drive, Shotton.

Having already lost 4-0 away to Northop Hall in the league this term, Sunday’s result marked a considerable improvement for the Powys side.

The game opened with some cautious play by both sides, neither having many chances in the opening half-hour.

However, on 33 minutes, the home team pounced on a misplaced ball in the middle, Brygida Gorecka finding the net to give them a deserved one-nil lead after some good intensity forced the error.

Welshpool heads didn’t drop, with the ever-vocal Gwynfor Edwards making his presence felt on a return to the dugout from injury.

The away side upped their game and applied intense pressure, resulting in a free kick just before half time.

Former Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town magician Nai Evans slotted into the bottom corner to record only a second goal of the season for Welshpool. Better was to come.

Lauren Stubbs

The second half started like the first ended, with a never say die attitude from the travellers. Evans split the field in half with a pass Pirlo would have been proud of, finding the stride of Welshpool forward Lauren Stubbs, who finished calmly.

The intensity remained constant from the Powys outfit, with substitute Lilya Smith creating space along the front line. The ball dropped once again to Evans, who from 35 yards clinically lobbed the stand-in Northop keeper to make it 3-1.

Hall refused to give in and pushed until the end, but there was no further score.

A great first victory for Welshpool, who will see this as reward for digging deep after a difficult start to the season.

WELSHPOOL TOWN

Amy Allen
Georgia Tranchard
Joanne Bliss-Bennett
Zoe Cleeton
Alex Zannetti
Lauren Stubbs
Mary Newman
Naomi Evans
Emma Vaughan
Natalie Rowley
Tamsin Welldon
SUBS USED
Lilya Smith
Sarah Marck