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Happy belated birthday to history-maker Zoe Stopford of Flint Town United

Zoe Stopford celebrates scoring the winner for Rhyl and Prestatyn in their first ever Welsh Premier League match back in 2014. Picture: Chris Howells

Zoe Stopford was the star turn with a four-goal salvo in Flint Town United’s 4-1 victory over CPDM Y Felinheli last weekend.

But she was also making headlines exactly 10 years ago when she scored a late winner for Rhyl and Prestatyn in their first-ever Welsh Premier Women’s League game back in 2014/15.

Zoe, then just 17, made history with her 89th minute net-finder in a 1-0 victory at Aberystwyth Town.

It’s a momentous time all round for the striker, who yesterday celebrated her 28th birthday.

Born on December 6, 1996, Zoe is without a doubt one of the finest current players on the North Wales women’s football scene.

After her early senior career adventures in the top flight with Rhyl and Prestatyn, Zoe committed to some years away studying before returning to join Rhyl FC Ladies in 2018-19.

Zoe in action for Holywell back in 2021-22

When football came back after the pandemic, Zoe spent 2021-22 at Holywell Girls and Ladies, where she finished top goalscorer with nine in 17 appearances.

The 2022-23 campaign brought a move to NFA, where she netted an outstanding 18 times in 19 matches, finishing behind only Sade Benjamin in the goals chart.

Zoe celebrates another goal for Flint. Picture: GEOFF QUINN

Zoe switched to Flint Town United last season, pocketing a fantastic 27 goals in 17 outings throughout all competitions and helping the Silkwomen scoop the North Wales Women’s League East Division title with 12 wins from 12 matches.

She was joint-second highest markswoman in the league alongside team-mate Rosie Hughes on 12 goals, with only Denbigh Town’s Ceri Purvis finishing ahead of the pair.

In the club end-of-season awards, Zoe was named Flint’s Players’ Player and lifted the Golden Boot for 2023-24.

This season has seen Zoe hit nine goals in seven games for Flint in their first campaign as a tier 2 Genero Adran North team.

Since 2021-22, Zoe has recorded 63 goals in 60 matches across all competitions. She is also currently Flint’s all-time highest scorer with 36 goals.