Added time penalty puts Henllan into first senior final in debut season

BETTY PICKERING SHIELD SEMI-FINALS

Denbigh Town 2 (Davies 3, Purvis 44)
CPD Merched Henllan 3 (B Roberts 26 & 47, Cattell pen 90+5)

Abby Cattell’s 95th minute penalty sealed Henllan a cup final place in their debut season in senior football.

The visitors trailed twice, but a double from 46-goal top scorer Beth Roberts and that Cattell spot-kick earned the villagers a meeting with Kinmel Bay in the Shield final next month.

Denbigh opened the scoring on three minutes when Catrin Davies’ shot was saved by Rhian Edwards, but Davies’ second effort curled over the Henllan defenders on the line and into the goal.

The villagers were level on 26 minutes when Erin Plumb’s throw-in found Lleucu Williams, who went past her marker to get to the byline and her cross picked out Beth Roberts, who netted with her left foot at the near post.

On the stroke of half time the home team were back in front when a corner by Lowri Claybrook dropped to Ceri Purvis, who put the Central Park outfit ahead at the break.

After a disappointing first half display, Henllan’s second half performance was much improved without hitting the heights of previous games, and they were level within two minutes from a Denbigh corner which was cleared to Mabli Fitzgerald.

She found Roberts who ran all the way from her own half, beating three defenders before slotting the ball past keeper Netty Young for a fantastic solo goal and probably her best out of an amazing 46 this season.

Ten minutes later Young denied Roberts her hat-trick with a brilliant save,

Both teams searched for the winner, with Williams twice hitting the bar for the away side. Denbigh also had a chance on 78 when Purvis’ shot was magnificently saved by ex-Town keeper Edwards.

With 95 minutes on the clock and the game looking like going into extra time Roberts again was through on goal but was brought down by Emily Morris with the ref pointing to the spot,

Eighteen-year-old Cattell took the pressure penalty and her spot kick crept into the bottom corner after Young got a strong hand to it with literally the last touch of the game to send this young Henllan team, 11 of today’s squad being under 19, through to the final.

Captain Magi Pierce and centre half partner Elin Griffiths were outstanding at the back, with Claybrook having a fine game in midfield for Denbigh.

Final is expected to be at Rhyl on April 27 (to be confirmed).