Six-goal heroes do Ynys Môn proud

ORKNEY ISLAND GAMES 2025

FOOTBALL

Women’s Group C – July 15

Ynys Môn 6 (M Evans 2, H Owen, C Evans pen, Slaney, E Jones)
Hitra 1 (Glørstad)

Ynys Môn women rattled up a record Island Games victory with a ruthless display of finishing against Hitra.

Unfortunately, however, Dan Gregg’s side narrowly miss out on a semi-final spot which is awarded on goal difference to the most prolific second-placed group team.

Having lost 4-2 to group winners Western Isles in their opening game, Môn needed a big win against the Norwegians to boost their GD – and certainly delivered the goods.

A strong start was essential, and the North Wales team provided that in no uncertain terms with two goals in the opening five minutes.

A poor back-pass put Hitra in early bother and CPDM Bangor striker Menna Evans pounced to open the scoring.

It was soon 2-0, Hannah Owen applying a close range finish from an Ellie Jones assist.

Ynys Môn did not always make the most of their chances against Western Isles, but it was quite the opposite in Tuesday afternoon’s clash at Stromness Academy.

Menna Evans had a great opportunity but fired straight at keeper Ursula Hatle, however not long after the Welsh side added a third goal.

Hannah Owen was fouled in the box and Wales Under-19 international Casi Evans, who has just joined Cheltenham Town, made no mistake with a clinical penalty.

Catrin Mair Roberts produced some great defending at the other end to deny Hitra a goal, then Môn showed how it was done when Menna Evans scored a long range beauty for 4-0.

Similar to the Western Isles game, where all six goals came in the first half and then none in the second, the scoreboard stood still for a good while after the break.

However, a few changes for Môn livened things up.

One of the substitutes, Llangefni Town’s Ceri Slaney scored an absolute cracker, curling home a tremendous effort from the edge of the box.

To their credit, Hitra never threw in the towel, and were rewarded for a determined second half effort when Silje Glørstad notched their first goal of the tournament.

However, Anglesey had the last word when Charlotte Madden’s great pass released Ellie Jones, who rounded off another great display with a fierce finish.

And there was a chance of a seventh when Môn won a penalty for handball, but Hatle saved sub Mia Roberts’ spot-kick.

Nonetheless, a biggest ever win for Môn women and a real statement if they are to advance further in the competition.

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