MATCH OF THE DAY: Genero Adran North – CPDM Y Felinheli stay on league title trail

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – FEBRUARY 25

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (L Williams 76)
CPDM Y Felinheli 4 (Greenough 13, Evans 34 pen & 62, Wynne-Thomas OG 38)

Dave Jones reports from Belle Vue

Despite being without three key forwards Felinheli still possessed enough goal power to chalk up a fifth successive league victory.

Aaron Jones-Evans’ side moved to within three points of leaders Llandudno with both sides having four games apiece left.

On a heavy surface at Belle Vue on Sunday, Felin were good value for their win, which would have been more emphatic but for some superb goalkeeping from the Lilywhites’ Lauren Jones.

Rhyl battled hard and were worthy of the cracking consolation goal Laura Williams scored before the end, but the sharpness of the visitors’ front-line won the day.

With Ffion Williams, Fflur Williams and Katie Midwinter all absent, Felinheli relied on the pace of Catrin Evans and Jordanne Greenough in attack – and both came up trumps.

Evans threatened first in the fifth minute when she cut in from the right and let fly left-footed, but Jones produced a solid stop.

Williams had an opening for Rhyl soon after, but her usually radar-like left-foot was off target.

Felin made the breakthrough after 13 minutes.

A ball played in from the left by Shannon Jade Jones found Greenough, who turned sharply and rippled the net with a fierce strike.

Evans missed from a good position for the visitors before a through ball from the same player released Greenough, but Jones came out to make a tremendous block.

Rhyl threatened on occasion, Rosie O’Brien racing into the box but miscuing with her left foot.

The hosts were then unlucky not to equalise when Becca Bannister’s long range free kick bounced off the top of the bar and went over.

Greenough sped clear for the travellers on 30 minutes, but keeper Jones came up with a magnificent tackle to deny her.

Finally, a second goal did arrive for Felin in the 32nd minute. Shannon Jade Jones was clipped in the box as she attempted to run beyond the keeper and Catrin Evans scored from the penalty spot.

Jones thwarted Greenough once more, but on 36 minutes she could only punch an Evans corner via the right towards her own goal and home defender Saskia Wynne-Thomas unavoidably headed into the net.

Sade Benjamin had a clear opportunity for Rhyl before the break, but her strike was deflected over the bar by a covering defender.

HALF-TIME: Rhyl 1879 0-3 Felinheli

The second half produced fewer chances, but no less endeavour from two teams who gave it everything.

O’Brien was released on the left and her delivery into the box was well dealt with by keeper Catrin Beech.

Then on 61 minutes Felinheli went four-up. Evans raced into the box from the right, worked the ball onto her left foot and slotted in her 11th goal of the campaign.

Further openings came Felin’s way but they could not take them, the closest call seeing Shannon Jones’ near post header from a Nel Huws corner missing by inches.

The highlight of the afternoon for Rhyl fans came when Laura Williams hit a trademark left foot long ranger which flew into the net.

RHYL 1879

Lauren Jones
Saskia Wynne-Thomas
Sophie Haywood
Cassie Thomas
Rosie O’Brien
Becca Bannister
Laura Williams
Sade Benjamin (Amy Woodbridge 82)
Alicia Duke (Llio Davies 56)
Chloe Evans
Imogen Williams (Chelsea Evans 45)

CPD Y FELINHELI

Catrin Beech
Llio Emyr
Shannon Jade Jones
Jody Cain
Kelly Jones
Llio Williams (Sara Baines 65)
Jordanne Greenough
Jenna Tugwell-Allsup
Catrin Evans
Nel Huws (Kyla Cain 75)
Hana Wellings

GRASSROOTS NORTH WALES PLAYERS OF THE MATCH

CPD Y Rhyl 1879

Lauren Jones: Would have been a heavier defeat but for her magnificent saves

CPDM Y Felinheli

Catrin Evans: Livewire up front whose fully deserved her two goals