Henllan into Shield semi-finals, league wins for Denbigh Town and Welshpool

Betty Pickering Shield quarter-final

CPD Merched Henllan 3 (B Roberts 12, Cattell 49 pen, Fitzgerald 65)
Berriew 2 (E Davies 48, Price 61)

Henllan joined Airbus, Denbigh Town and Kinmel Bay in the Shield semi-finals after a tremendous victory over North Wales East title rivals Berriew at St Asaph Leisure Centre.

Both teams started well in the first 10 minutes, but Berriew had to make an early change when speedy winger Lowri Savage went off injured.

Shortly afterwards Henllan opened the scoring when a long kick by keeper Rhian Edwards caused a misunderstanding in the Berriew’s defence which was capitalised by teen sensation Beth Roberts who slotted the ball home for her 44th goal of the season.

Both teams had a few chances for the remainder of the half without either keeper having to make a save of note.

Three minutes into the second half Berriew were level from a corner when captain Ellie Davies made a late run into the box and headed in.

Henllan went up the other end and immediately regained the lead when half time substitute Sophie Evans was brought down in the box by keeper Sarah Parkes.

Abby Cattell, who scored the winning penalty against Llangefni last month, again took on the responsibility and stroked home her 21st goal of the campaign.

Just after the hour it was all square again when a Katie Price strike found the bottom corner, but the home side were back in front four minutes later when a Cattell corner was headed on by Lia Evans and Mabli Fitzgerald was on hand to score her 7th goal of the season from close range.

On 69 minutes Siwan Lloyd, who kept the Powys-based side’s top goalscorer Gemma Jones quiet for most of the game, was forced off with an injury. Sixteen-year-old Lydia Davies came on for her senior debut. Lacey Whitehouse also made her debut in the last 10 minutes.

Lleucu Williams nearly made it 4-2 when her shot from 25 yards came back off the bar. The visitors piled on the pressure in the last few minutes but the Henllan defence held on for another impressive win which sent them through to the semi final.

Berriew manager Regina Hanratty was red-carded at the end of the game.

Henllan and Berriew meet again this Sunday (March 16) in a vital top-of-the-table league match.

North Wales Women’s League East Division

Denbigh Town 3 (Purvis 9, Kell 39 & 43)
Airbus 0

Bethany Kell (2) and Ceri Purvis shared the first-half goals in a fine win for Denbigh which keeps them among the leading pack.

Coedpoeth United 0
Welshpool Town 1

Both sides went into Sunday’s game without a point but at the final whistle it was Welshpool celebrating after a single goal earned them a narrow victory.

Mary Newman’s 51st minute strike was all that separated the sides on the final whistle.