High fives as Llangefni Town women land their first major trophy

BETTY PICKERING CUP FINAL

Llangefni Town 5 (Coulson 17, J Jones 37 & 46; H Owen 45, Cox 49)
CPD Pwllheli 1 (J Owen-Hughes 76)

They may have missed out on the league title but Llangefni ended the season on a real high by lifting the Betty Pickering Cup at Brymbo SSC this afternoon.

Despite losing twice 2-1 to North Wales Women’s League West champions Pwllheli during the season, revenge was sweet for the Anglesey side in the Pickering final.

After such a good third season since re-forming in 2021-22, it would have been an injustice for Cefni to end up with no silverware, but that was never going to be the case after a ruthless first half display against a Pwllheli side crowned overall North Wales League champions and on a run of 13 straight wins.

Llangefni themselves had won their last four on the bounce and entered the final in a positive mindset taking on a team with much more competitive football-playing experience.

Pwll had the first big chance when they were awarded a sixth-minute penalty, but captain Magi Hughes’ kick was brilliantly saved by Mia Gleave.

A tremendous effort from the Cefni keeper – had that gone in, who knows! She dived to her right to keep the kick out, then Jini Owen Hughes looked set to score from the rebound, but her strike was cleared off the goal-line by Catrin George.

Llangefni took advantage in the 17th minute when Jess Jones’ determination provided the assist for Ellie Coulton to net her 15th goal of the season.

North Wales’ leading goalscorer Jess Jones was always going to be a danger and she made it 2-0 on 37 minutes with her 51st goal of an amazing season via an unstoppable strike.

And the Anglesey side struck a major blow right on half time when Hannah Owen made it 3-0, firing home after more great work from Jess Jones.

Pwllheli had other chances but were failing to take them – Cefni were doing the opposite.

If Town were not already in the driving seat that was certainly the case a minute into the second half when Owen’s super pass released Jones for goal number 52 in just 22 appearances – stunning. Jones beat the offside trap and applied the finish.

Three minutes later and it was 5-0, Jones this time the provider with a precise pass as Jen Cox netted her 17th of the campaign.

It was pretty much game well and truly over before the 50-minute mark had been reached.

Pwllheli kept battling and did eventually pull one back when Jini Owen Hughes notched her 22nd goal in 16 outings for the Llŷn Peninsula side – a lethal volley.

However, this was very much Llangefni’s day, and with a Tier 2 licence secured, they now have the option to enter Genero Adran North football next season.

Whatever the future holds, this was their first major trophy and they will never forget it.

TEAMS

LLANGEFNI TOWN

Mia Gleave
Marissa George
Mared Roberts
Catrin George
Nia Ginnelly (c)
Ellie Coulson
Jennifer Cox
Hannah Owen
Jess Jones
Cadi Rees
Llinos Hughes
SUBS USED
Beth Jones, Ffion Thomas
SUBS
Lara Cain, Bethany Jones, Kaitlin Toulmin

PWLLHELI

Sara Williams
Sioned Bohana
Charley Davies
Catrin Thomas
Jini Owen Hughes
Magi Hughes (c)
Lois Thomas
Stacey Sansome
Sian Moore
Leanne Rees-Williams
Lowri Hughes
SUBS USED
Hayley Rees-Jones, Erin Williams
SUBS
Marsli Owen, Erica Jones, Nia Jones

Betty Pickering Cup list of available winners

2012-13 Airbus
2013-14 Denbigh Town
2014-15 Not available
2015-16 Caernarfon Town
2016-17 Caernarfon Town
2017-18 Not available
2018-19 Llanfair United
2019-20 Not played (Covid)
2020-21 Not played (Covid)
2021-22 Not played
2022-23 Not played
2023-24 Llangefni Town