Football

International Women’s Day: How have the Fab 15 been performing this season?

Stevie Donougher hit 24 goals in her first eight games for Llandudno. Picture: FAW

As part of International Women’s Day, we assess the progress of the Fab Fifteen North Wales players highlighted by Grassroots North Wales as ones to watch in the 2023-24 season.

Catrin Evans (CPDM Y Felinheli)

Rejoined Felinheli last summer and has been a key figure in the team’s outstanding season which has seen them impose themselves on the Tier 2 Genero Adran North title race.

The 21-year-old flying winger is Felin’s top scorer with 12 goals in 20 appearances to date and she has proved highly successful from the penalty spot and dead-ball situations.

Rosie Hughes (Flint Town United)

Rosie Hughes (stripes) takes on Denbigh Town. Picture: ROY GUNTHER

With 16 goals in 14 games, this midfield magician has played a major role in Flint coasting to the North Wales Women’s League East title with 10 straight wins.

The 18-year-old is the team’s top-scorer since formation with 26 goals in 34 matches, having formed a dynamic partnership in the centre of the park with skipper Ruby McGilloway.

Mia Roberts (CPDM Bangor)

Began the season with Amlwch Town but returned to Bangor in October and has netted twice in nine appearances to date.

Aged just 18 and full of skill and endeavour, Mia remains one of North Wales’ finest young talents in a developing Bangor side still learning the ropes in Tier 2.

Sade Benjamin (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Rhyl’s Sade Benjamin celebrates scoring at CPDM Bangor. (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)

Signed for Rhyl at the start of this season and has continued to do what she does best – score goals.

Often operating as a lone striker, Sade has notched 16 goals in 18 matches, kicking off the campaign in style with the winner at Bangor. Picked up a nasty-looking injury last weekend and we all hope for a speedy recovery.

Becca Elliott (CPD Merched Bangor)

Goalkeeper captain who has shown her class many times since Bangor’s promotion to Genero Adran North.

Has not played since the end of January, but in 16 appearances this season has often been outstanding, keeping six clean sheets.

Jennifer Haynes (Flint Town United)

Quality attacking midfielder who joined Flint from Connah’s Quay Nomads in March 2023 and made an instant impact.

Has played in all 10 of Flint’s league victories this season which have clinched them the East Division title.

Notched a hat-trick in an 11-2 win over Denbigh Town and had another chalked off when a game versus Welshpool was abandoned.

Sara Williams (CPD Pwllheli)

Sara (green) in action during her time at Llandudno. Picture: IAN FRANCIS

Another fantastic season for one of North Wales’ very finest.

Whether playing in goal or as an outfield player, she has shone in Pwllheli’s invincible title-winning adventures in the North Wales League West Division.

Has won trophies almost everywhere she has played, including Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Caernarfon Town and now Pwllheli.

Hana Wellings (CPDM Y Felinheli)

Hana Wellings (second left)

Big summer signing from Llanystumdwy, this 30-year-old has been a vital cog in a thriving Felinheli midfield.

Her ball skills, passing and all-round effort have served her well in 18 appearances across all competitions to date.

Zoe Stopford (Flint Town United)

Zoe Stopford (right) in action for Flint against Kinmel Bay

Best season of her career so far, certainly in terms of goals, as she has netted 20 times for the North Wales League East champions.

Has added genuine quality to Flint’s ranks since she signed last summer, having previously excelled representing Rhyl FC in the Welsh Premier League, as well as NFA, for whom she contributed 18 goals last season.

Jess Jones (Llangefni Town)

Jess Jones (right – blue) in action against Airbus. Picture: DAI SINCLAIR

No praise could be high enough for this gifted 18-year-old, who has bagged 37 goals in just 17 appearances for Llangefni Town this season.

The former CPD Merched Tref Caernarfon junior has pocketed seven hat-tricks and hit four goals in a game no less than five times in an amazing campaign.

Jenna Tugwell-Allsup (CPDM Y Felinheli)

One of the signings of the season, Jenna has been a revelation as a goal-scoring midfielder for CPDM Y Felinheli in their dazzling Tier 2 campaign.

With nine goals in 17 appearances, she has helped Felin rise to second place, carrying on the great work she did in CPDM Bangor’s Tier 3 title-winning invincibles of 2022-23, scoring 11 times.

Shannon Hobbs (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Sadly, Shannon’s season ended early when she sustained a bad knee injury in a game against Llandudno in late January.

Before that she had been outstanding, notching 13 goals in 11 appearances for the Nomads, putting them in contention for a Genero Adran North league title and NEWFA Challenge Cup double.

Stevie Donougher (Llandudno)

Stevie (stripes) up against Wrexham

The Australian ace has banged in 27 goals in just 15 appearances for a Llandudno side chasing the Tier 2 Genero Adran North title.

Found the net twice in the recent 2-0 win at Nomads which made Tudno favourites for a second championship in three seasons. Netted five on her Llandudno debut and an insane 24 times in her first eight games.

Shelby Wild (Kinmel Bay)

Shelby (left) makes a save against Pwllheli in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. Picture: SAM EADEN/FAW

It has been a fine comeback season for Kinmel Bay in the North Wales Women’s League East Division, where they sit in second place.

One of the stars of the team has been goalkeeper Shelby Wild, who has performed well week after week, producing countless tremendous saves.

Alicia Duke (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Alicia Duke (white) in action against Aberystwyth. Picture: STEVEN JONES

Since returning to Rhyl 1879 this season, this 20-year-old defender has played in 15 matches and been an ever-steady presence at the back.

It has been an up-and-down season campaign for the Lilywhites to date, with a series of injuries not helping their cause, but The Duke has been a reliable performer in a team which could still finish as high as fourth.

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