Felinheli victory at Rhyl makes it nine unbeaten and well on course for third-place finish

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – MARCH 16, 2025

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 (Bannister 13)

CPDM Y Felinheli 2 (Edwards 24, Greenough 47)

Nine games undefeated for a Felinheli side in with a great chance of finishing third for a third time in four Genero Adran North seasons.

The Cae Seilo side travelled up the coast to face a buoyant Rhyl, who had celebrated a 2-1 victory the previous weekend against Flint.

It was Felin who started stronger with a few chances going begging, but the Rhyl goalkeeper standing strong.

And it was the Lilywhites who took the lead in the 13th minute. A free kick conceded by Felin in a dangerous spot saw Rachael Thomas whip in a pinpoint cross that keeper Catrin Beech was unable to collect leaving Becca Bannister with a free header from a few yards out to edge the hosts ahead.

A battle commenced in midfield with both sides having joy at times, but it was Felin who were edging the clear goal scoring opportunities and this pressure paid off in the 24th minute,

Elsi Williams took a quick throw-in to find the in-form Llywela Edwards, who as last week rocketed in a shot from 30 yards out which nestled into the far corner.

Chances came and went for Felin for the next 20 minutes with a handful of one-on-ones expertly thwarted by home keeper Lauren Jones.

Kelly Jones nearly put Felin ahead on the stroke of half time. A well-worked corner saw Jones unmarked just inside the box but her effort agonisingly grazed the bar.

HALF-TIME: 1-1

Felinheli started the second half with intent and it did not take them long to get their noses ahead.

On 47 minutes Jenna Tugwell-Allsup played a lovely through ball to the onrushing Jordanne Greenough who powered a shot in off the post to make it 2-1 to Felin.

Rhyl asserted themselves and were pushing for the equaliser but Felin’s defence were in no mood to concede again.

Felin brought Rubie Davies on for Elsi Williams and the replacement had an instant impact, beating her marker but her shot was off target.

The visitors settled into a back 5 and were happy to defend and hit Rhyl on the break. The hosts at this point were on top with plenty of possession in midfield but could not quite find that final ball with Llio Henshaw having a cracking game at the back snuffing out any danger.

Felin were still dangerous on the counter with Alaw Huws being put through on goal with a lofted ball from Hana Wellings only for Jones to make a point blank save.

The away side held on to keep their unbeaten run going after a game that either side could have won, but Felin’s work rate was enough in the end to take the spoils.

Winning manager Aaron Jones-Evans said: “Super proud of the women today. It’s always a tough game against Rhyl who are tough, experienced and have plenty of great footballers, but we battled throughout and probably at the end deserved the win with all of the chances we missed, all credit to Rhyl though they never gave up.

“This run we are on means nothing if we don’t win the next one, I’ve said plenty of times this season it’s always on to the next. The character this team shows is a credit to them, the togetherness really shines through when things get tough, they just will not give up, we will reset and go again next week.”

Rhyl 1879 manager Cassie Thomas said: “Frustratingly we find ourselves suffering another 2-1 defeat. A decent game for the neutral today there was very little to separate the two teams.

“We will regroup now and work hard over the next couple of weeks ready for a big week in April to end the season starting with a game under the lights at The Hops and Barley stadium.”

Cassie chose keeper Lauren Jones was her player of the match.

TEAMS

Rhyl 1879
Lauren Jones, Saskia Wynne-Thomas, Sophie Heywood, Cassandra Thomas, Rosie O’Brien, Rebecca Bannister, Laura Williams, Rachael Thomas (c), Sade Benjamin, Chelsea Evans, Emily Bentley. Sub used: Ellie Wilkinson

CPDM Y Felinheli
Catrin Beech, Ellie Jones, Llywela Edwards, Llio Henshaw, Kelly Jones (c), Jordanne Greenough, Jenna Tugwell-Allsup, Alaw Prys Huws, Fflur Williams, Elsi Williams, Hana Wellings. Sub used: Rubie Davies.