How did our 15 fab footballing females do in 2023-24?
At the start of 2023-24, Grassroots North Wales chose 15 players to watch.
It has to be said, we made some ‘safe’ choices but it is still nice to read back how well they did.
Sadly, some suffered bad injuries over the campaign. We wish them well in their recovery.
Catrin Evans (CPDM Y Felinheli)
Great return season to North Wales football with Y Felinheli, for whom she scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 North Wales Coast Challenge Cup final victory.
Netted 16 goals in 23 appearances over the season, including eight in 13 games in Genero Adran North, where Felin finished a brilliant third.
One of the best signings of 2023-24.
Rosie Hughes (Flint Town United)
Dazzled her way through the season, grabbing 19 goals in 18 matches across all competitions.
Played a huge part in Flint’s perfect North Wales League East campaign, which saw the Silkwomen record 12 wins in 12 matches to seal the title.
One of the most talked about players on the North Wales women’s scene due to her pace, skill and goals.
Mia Roberts (CPDM Bangor)
Began 2023-24 with Amlwch Town, but returned to Bangor in October, helping Aron Griffith’s side achieve their main objective of staying in Tier 2 in their debut season.
Made 13 appearances for Bangor, scoring twice, and netted two goals in five appearances for Amlwch.
Another young talent making great progress.
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Sade Benjamin (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)
With 16 goals in 19 outings, it was a great comeback season for Sade in a Rhyl shirt as she helped her team finish fourth in Tier 2.
Bagged back-to-back hat-tricks versus Trearddur Bay and Llanfair United in the NWCFA Challenge Cup and Genero Adran Trophy respectively.
Picked up a bad injury towards the end of the campaign, but is working well in the fitness stakes over the summer.
Becca Elliott (CPD Merched Bangor)
Goalkeeper captain proved herself to be one of the best stoppers in the Genero Adran North.
Made 20 appearances and kept seven clean sheets, playing an important role in Bangor remaining in Tier 2.
Jennifer Haynes (Flint Town United)
Attacking midfielder played a major part in Flint developing from a team with potential into a team that achieves.
Was an ever-present as the Silkwomen won all 12 games to be crowned North Wales Women’s League East champions.
Scored five goals in 17 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick versus Denbigh Town. Also had a treble chalked off when a game was abandoned at half time.
Sara Williams (Pwllheli)
The trophies keep building up for this all-time North Wales great.
Sara’s goalkeeping skills helped Pwllheli win the North Wales Women’s West League and the overall NWWFL title with a run of 13 straight victories.
Whether playing in goal or occasionally as an outfield player, she shone brightly for her new club..
Hana Wellings (CPDM Y Felinheli)
In her first season with Felinheli, she won the club’s Most Valuable Player accolade.
Made 23 appearances, securing a North Wales Coast Challenge Cup winners’ medal and helping her new team finish third in Genero Adran North.
Her ball skills, passing and all-round effort made her a stand out player.
Zoe Stopford (Flint Town United)
Amazing debut season for a forward who could not ‘stop’ scoring goals.
She banged in 27 in all for NWWFL East champions Flint, making her third highest scorer in North Wales women’s football.
Received the Players’ Player and Golden Boot awards at the end of season presentations.
Jess Jones (Llangefni Town)
It was a pretty safe pick choosing this young sensation as a player to watch back in September!
Jess netted a fantastic 52 goals in 2023-24 for Llangefni, the highest total by a North Wales women’s football player since Lowri Edwards scored 65 times in 32 appearances for Wrexham in 2011-12.
18-year-old Jess hit four or more goals in a game on no less than seven occasions and played a key role in Cefni winning the Betty Pickering Cup
Jenna Tugwell-Allsup (CPDM Y Felinheli)
One of the signings of 2023-24 without a shadow of a doubt.
Jenna was named overall Player of the Season and Coaches’ Player at Felinheli’s annual awards.
Her attacking midfield play brought her 10 goals in 20 matches for the North Wales Coast Challenge Cup winners and Adran North third-place side.
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.
Can’t wait to see her back.
Stevie Donougher (Llandudno)
Sensational stuff from a striker who joined Llandudno at the start of 2023-24 and finished Genero Adran North top-scorer with 16 goals as her team stormed to the league title.
Across all competitions, she notched 31 goals in just 18 appearances, including four hat-tricks made up of a six, a five, a four and a three.
Found the net twice in the crucial 2-0 win at Nomads which made Tudno favourites for a second championship in three seasons.
Ended the campaign with an unfortunate bad injury in a game that proved futile, but is on the mend.
Shelby Wild (Kinmel Bay)
It was a fine comeback season for Kinmel Bay in the North Wales Women’s League East Division, where they finished in third place.
One of the stars of the team was goalkeeper Shelby Wild, who performed well week after week, producing countless tremendous saves.
Shelby made 17 appearances over the season and was one of Bay’s most consistent players.
Alicia Duke (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)
On her return to Rhyl 1879 last season, this 20-year-old defender played in 18 matches and was an ever-steady presence at the back.
Alicia’s consistent performances helped the Lilywhites finish an excellent fourth in Tier 2 Genero Adran North.
She also made the scoresheet in a 6-2 win at Llanfair United.