CPDM Y Felinheli 3 Llandudno 4: how the title was won – goals and reaction

It was a seven-goal thriller which saw Llandudno crowned Genero Adran North champions for a second time, but opponents CPDM Y Felinheli were so much more than bit-part players.

Aaron Jones-Evans’ side had already done marvellously well to extend the title race to the closing stages of the season, but right up until the final minutes at Treborth on Sunday they were in a position to upset the mighty leaders only to concede two late goals in what ended up a 4-3 defeat.

A win for the Cae Seilo outfit would have put them three points behind Tudno with a game in hand.

With Felin strong favourites to triumph in their final two matches, that may have meant Llandudno having to win their last game at home to NFA to likely take the title on goal difference.

As it was, those dramatic late strikes in almost as exciting a finish as the same-day FA Cup quarter-final between victorious Manchester United and Liverpool saw Tudno over the line.

Felinheli’s performance on Sunday was even more impressive considering they had numerous key regulars missing including top-scorer Catrin Evans, potential match-winning forward Ffion Williams, Jordanne Greenough, Katie Midwinter, previous game hat-trick star Nel Huws and Llio Henshaw.

Tudno took a 12th minute lead when a Stacey Tradewell corner was cleared by the Felin defence out to Ffion Owen, who slotted a through ball for captain Sofie Owen to find the bottom-left corner.

The hosts responded on 24 minutes when Sofie Owen and Jenna Tugwell-Allsup put in strong challenges for the ball, which broke nicely for Alaw Huws, who beat keeper Megan Robinson in a one-on-one situation.

The league leaders, on a nine-match winning run, regained the lead on 34 minutes. Sofie Owen’s throw-in found Stevie Donougher, who controlled and passed to Maddie Williams, whose shot was kept out by Catrin Beech, but Kelsey Davies was following up to convert the rebound.

It was 2-2 just before the break when Fflur Williams’ pass enabled Alaw Huws to deliver another clinical finish.

HALF-TIME: CPDM Y FELINHELI 2 LLANDUDNO 2

There was no further score until the 73rd minute when a great through ball from Hana Wellings released Fflur Williams, who put Felinheli in front for the first time.

It was here where the champions showed their true mettle.

On 84 minutes, Ffion Owen carried the ball through the midfield and released Donougher, who lashed into the top corner for her 28th goal of the season – and 14th in the league where she is top-scorer.

Soon after it was 4-3. A scramble in the box led to Maddie Williams winning the ball and finding Kelsey Davies, who took on two defenders, rounded the keeper and slotted in her 16th goal this term.

A game which lived up to its billing was very much a contest of TWO good sides, where the losers came out with a lot of credit.

MANAGER’S COMMENTS

Aaron Jones-Evans (Felinheli)

“Congratulations to Llandudno, on the whole they deserved to win the league this season, probably the most consistent team throughout so they did really deserve it, a huge congratulations from everyone at Felinheli.

“Regarding us, for the first time in a while we struggled to get a team out there today but we didn’t want to cancel the game out of respect for both Llandudno and the game itself. We had no less than 7 starting players missing and only the one sub.

“This isn’t an excuse but being in this situation makes it hard to get a result – especially against a team of Llandudno’s quality.

“The effort and the never give up attitude my women showed today was unbelievable, players had to step up who haven’t played many minutes, players had to play through injuries, but they did it with no problem, this is what I love about this squad, there is no quit in them women.

“We will go again and do as we’ve done throughout this season, one game at a time.”

Billy Fuller (assistant-manager Llandudno)

“The title decider was here. Llandudno started in a 4-3-3 against Felinheli’s 3-5-2.

“Dudno had the better of the opening exchanges, trying to exploit wide areas and scored the first through our captain, Sofie Owen.

“Felinheli switched to a 4-4-2, however the pace of the press had subsided and it was controlled possession. A mistake at the back gave a chance to Felinheli and they took advantage of the error and equalised.

“A few minutes later Llandudno went a goal ahead again with Kelsey Davies scoring our second.

“Just shy of half time Dudno were caught in possession through a high energy press and again were duly punished. Half time.

“The goal reinvigorated Felinheli who fought for every loose ball, and their work ethic for one another showed their desire to spoil Llandudno’s party. With hard work comes rewards and deservedly the home side scored their third and led the game for the first time.

“The game was now Felinheli’s and every time they went long they caused problems for Dudno’s back line. The game was littered with transitions and unforced errors with the football becoming attritional.

“After Felinheli had controlled the majority of the second half, Llandudno then stripped their game back and after a couple of successful passages of play including a fantastic top corner save equalised through Stevie Donougher.

“From the restart Llandudno pressured and straight away Maddie Williams received the ball on the outside of the box. She played in Kelsey, who after some neat footwork then put the ball into an empty net. 4-3 Llandudno.

“The last 8 minutes or so Llandudno broke the game up and played with their heads. The game was not Llandudno’s best but a few minutes of top quality play late in the second half ultimately decided the outcome.

“Teams not playing their best but grinding out results are usually successful. Today was one such day and it ended with Llandudno being crowned champions.”