Cup football: Henllan stun Llangefni with victory against the odds

Henllan’s heroes caused a major surprise in the Betty Pickering Cup on Sunday

BETTY PICKERING CUP GROUP 3

CPDM Henllan 2 (B Roberts 6, Cattell pen 51)
Llangefni Town 1 (J Jones 35)

With the bare 11 players available and taking on a strong Llangefni squad which beat them 7-1 on Ynys Môn earlier this season, the omens did not look good for Henllan ahead of Sunday’s clash at St Asaph Leisure Centre.

Yet this young Henllan outfit, which has only used 16 players all season, managed to produce their finest result so far as they defeated a Cefni team whose only previous losses this term came against tier 2 teams Connah’s Quay Nomads and CPDM Y Felinheli in cups.

Llangefni started brightly in this Betty Pickering Cup clash and had two good chances in the first five minutes, but their shots went straight into the hands of new signing Rhian Edwards, who has joined from Denbigh Town.

On six minutes, the villagers took the lead when Lleucu Williams put Mabli Fitzgerald through. Her shot was saved by Katie Spruce but Beth Roberts was on hand to tap in goal 37 this season for the 16 year old.

With the Anglesey-based team having most of the play, Henllan always looked dangerous on the break.

On 35 minutes, the away side were awarded a penalty for a push by Siwan Lloyd, which Jess Jones converted for her 24th goal of the campaign.

Soon after, Jones had to be substituted with a knee injury.

Just on half time, Edwards produced a brilliant save to keep the score level.

Six minutes into the second half, Henllan were awarded a penalty when Fitzgerald was brought down just inside the box, and up stepped Abby Cattell, who kept her cool and rolled it into the corner for the 16th goal of the season for the winger.

Cefni put the pressure on in the last half hour with some dangerous crosses coming into the box but Henllan’s defence kept them at bay with Ella Allen the pick of the bunch and Edwards using up all her experience despite only playing a handful of games in the last five years.

In the last few minutes Fitzgerald’s close range shot was brilliantly smothered by Spruce.

As the final whistle went, Henllan celebrated a famous win and probably their best result to date.