Kinmel Bay stun back-to-back champions with opening day victory

NORTH WALES COAST WOMEN’S LEAGUE – SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Kinmel Bay 3 (Nettleton 21, Walsh 37, Chesters 63)
CPDM Pwllheli 1 (J Owen Hughes pen 42)

Kinmel Bay made a dream start to their new season with a stunning 3-1 win over Pwllheli – a side which had not tasted a league defeat since March 2023.

In front of a lively crowd, the Bay showed grit, discipline and clinical finishing to claim all three points in what could be a statement victory for their campaign.

The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when centre-back Scarlett Gregson picked out Jess Nettleton with a perfectly weighted long ball. Nettleton controlled brilliantly before rifling her shot into the net to give Bay an early lead.

Confidence grew, and just ten minutes later Bay doubled their advantage. Nettleton turned provider this time, setting up Lexi Walsh, who kept her composure to slot home with a well-timed strike that left the Pwllheli keeper with no chance.

Just before the break, Pwllheli were handed a lifeline when a late challenge inside the box gave them a penalty. Up stepped Jini Owen Hughes, who calmly converted to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The second half saw Pwllheli throw everything forward in search of an equaliser. A thunderous strike midway through was only denied by Bay goalkeeper Shelby Wild, who made a spectacular fingertip save to push the ball over the bar.

Moments later, the visitors rattled the post with a shot across goal, but Bay’s defence held firm under relentless pressure.

In the 63rd minute, tactical substitutions paid off instantly. Just a minute after the changes, last season’s top scorer Amy Chesters found the back of the net, latching onto another inch-perfect assist from Nettleton to restore Bay’s two-goal cushion.

Both teams continued to battle in the closing stages, with chances at either end and both goalkeepers called into action. But it was Kinmel Bay who stood tall, sealing an impressive 3-1 victory to end Pwllheli’s 32 league match unbeaten run and send a clear message to the rest of the league.

With three different goalscorers, a standout assist performance from Jess Nettleton (formerly Jones, but recently married) and a commanding defensive display, this result marks a huge statement for Kinmel Bay at the start of their new campaign.

Player of the match voted for by Pwllheli and for the second week on a run is skipper Seren Williams.