Betty Pickering Shield: Kinmel Bay, Denbigh Town and Airbus reach the semi-finals

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE BETTY PICKERING SHIELD QUARTER-FINALS

Caernarfon Town 3 Kinmel Bay 8

Sixteen-year-old Lexie Walsh scored the first of what will surely be many hat-tricks for a Kinmel Bay side which put on a stunning attacking display in an emphatic away victory in the Betty Pickering Shield quarter finals.

From the first whistle, Bay set the tempo, pressing high and creating chances. Their attacking intent paid off when a clinical pass from Elin Jones found the feet of top goal scorer Amy Chesters, who fired in a thunderous shot in the eighth minute from outside the box.

On the 20-minute mark, Caernarfon goalkeeper Luned Williams produced a wonderful double save but unfortunately parried the ball to Chesters, who doubled the lead with a powerful strike for her 17th goal of the season – and 11th in this particular cup.

Kinmel continued to push high up the pitch with captain Seren Williams playing a long ball over to Walsh, who found the bottom right corner.

Two minutes later Caernarfon were awarded a free-kick from just outside the box which Elan Evans fired into the top corner.

Despite a brief fightback from the hosts, Kinmel responded in style with Georgia Williams slotting a lovely shot in the bottom left hand corner to restore the three-goal advantage just before the half-time whistle.

The second half continued in the same dominant fashion, with Bay’s attacking players proving too much to handle. In the first minute, Chloe Scanlan played an accurate pass to Walsh, who danced round defenders to score her second of the game.

Five minutes later Caernarfon responded well with some lovely link up play from the midfield who found the feet of Manon Evans whose well-timed shot was narrowly missed by debutant goalkeeper Hannah Topham.

The next goal came in the 61st minute from captain Seren Williams who hit a well executed free-kick straight past the keeper for 6-2.

Walsh completed a well-deserved hat-trick just five minutes later.

Caernarfon replied in the 73rd minute, Elan Evans blasting home a powerful strike.

The final goal of the game was Seren Williams’ second of the afternoon.

Players of the match chosen by the Kinmel Bay ladies were goalkeeper Hannah Topham, who made some fantastic saves and was integral in some of her team’s goals with her accurate passes, and treble-scoring youngster Lexie Walsh.

Manager Naomii Oakley praised the team’s attacking play and work rate, highlighting the clinical finishing and teamwork as key factors in the victory.

Northop Hall 1 Airbus 4

Hat-trick hero and captain Ffion Jones guided Airbus into the semi-finals at the expense of Flintshire rivals Northop Hall.

Jones has now netted 23 goals in 13 games for the Wingmakers this season, including separate hauls of seven, two fours and a three in a single match.

Lucy Vickers also found the net for the visitors, Taylor Roberts giving the home side hope by making it 2-1 before half time.

Welshpool Town 1 Denbigh Town 3

Ceri Purvis, Paige Perkins and Lucy Morris notched the goals which earned Denbigh victory at Maesydre.

Paige Whitehouse replied for Welshpool in a tie where all the goals arrived in the first half.