Ynys Môn women put up great battle in tough Island Games opener

ORKNEY ISLAND GAMES 2025

FOOTBALL – MONDAY, JULY 14

Women’s Group C

Western Isles 4 Ynys Môn 2

In very difficult windy conditions at Dounby Park, Ynys Môn produced a performance full of positives against one of the competition’s strongest teams.

All six goals came in a first half which saw a mix of defensive errors from Anglesey and ruthless finishing from Western Isles secure a second successive win for the Outer Hebrideans.

The Scots started strongly, an early strike from Kyla McMurdo smartly pushed away for a corner by keeper Catrin Roberts.

Against the run of play, Môn took a fifth-minute lead. From a quick break led by Hannah Owen, Casi Evans was involved before CPDM Y Felinheli’s Ellie Jones made it 1-0 with a cracking finish from out wide.

Western were soon level when Beth McLeod’s cross into the box ended up in the net off Môn defender Carol Lewis.

It was 2-1 to the Scots on 15 when Beth McLeod put pressure on the Anglesey defenders and the ball came to Grace Martin, who applied the finish.

McMurdo added a third for the Isles on 26 minutes direct from a corner assisted by the wind.

Môn came roaring back, Owen’s header from an Ellie Jones cross magnificently saved by Lisa Mason.

From the corner, the Western defence failed to clear and CPDM Bangor defender Erin Burns cut the deficit to one.

The Outer Hebrides side restored their two-goal advantage on 36 when a McMurdo free kick was finished off by Jess McLeod.

Half time saw Môn trail 4-2, but with the wind hopefully favouring them after the break ambitions were high for a comeback.

Sadly, it was not to be for Dan Gregg’s side, who applied constant pressure but were not quite able to get the goals their play deserved.

A very tough test for Môn, who can hopefully hit back on Tuesday when they take on a Hitra outfit which lost 3-0 in their opener to Western Isles.

Ynys Môn: Catrin Roberts, Marissa George, Beth Jones, Erin Burns, Carol Lewis, Mia Roberts, Menna Evans, Charlotte Madden, Casi Evans, Hannah Owen, Ellie Jones. Subs used: Ceri Slaney, Mared Roberts, Yasmin Wilcox, Catrin Mair Roberts, Seren Macdonald, Jess Woods.