GOAL-den Brown strikes again!

BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

Llanfair United 0
Llangefni Town 1 (Brown 61)

After their cup heroics of the past fortnight Llangefni Town return to crucial league action this Sunday with a visit to the back-to-back champions.

Cefni have beaten next opponents Pwllheli just once in eight meetings since the Anglesey club reformed in 2021-22, but Dan Gregg’s side are in great form and will be targeting a sixth straight win when they travel to the Llŷn Peninsula.

Llangefni are one of just two teams in the North Wales Coast Women’s League still with a 100 percent record – Kinmel Bay being the other – and the Ynys Môn stars will be determined to make it four wins out of four when they land at The Rec on Sunday.

Their chances of another W will certainly be boosted if young striker Amber Brown maintains the magnificent form which has seen her score in each of Cefni’s last five games – all wins – and scored nine goals.

The 18-year-old is really firing and was the difference again on Sunday as Cefni achieved one of their best-ever results – a 1-0 Welsh Cup victory at Tier 2 side Llanfair United, last season’s Adran North runners-up.

The fixture marked Llangefni’s first visit to Mount Field in Llanfair Caereinion and only the third time the two sides have met.

After a narrow 2-1 defeat to Llanfair last month in the Adran Trophy, Cefni knew they faced a tough challenge.

However, they came into the match in fine fettle, having won 1-0 against NFA in the league and enjoyed a huge 4-1 against Tier 2 Flint Town United in the Adran Trophy.

The first 45 minutes were a tough, close contest, with both teams fighting hard in the middle and playing carefully.

The visitors edged closer to a breakthrough when Ffion Owen struck the post, a crucial moment that signaled Llangefni’s intent and belief that a goal was imminent.

Despite creating several other promising attacks and defending well, the match remained deadlocked, with both teams heading into the break at 0-0.

The breakthrough finally came in the second half, courtesy of a brilliant counter-attack and a decisive finish from Brown.

The move started deep in defence, where Beth Jones won the ball back. Jones quickly fired a pass into the feet of Ellie Coulson, who then delivered a ball that split Llanfair’s back four, sending Brown through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Brown kept her composure, coolly tucking the ball into the net to give Llangefni the crucial 1-0 lead.

The visitors now knew they had to hold tight. Catrin Roberts came on for Nia Ginnelly in the 69th minute, and the team managed to defend their advantage.

The introduction of fresh legs proved vital, as Milly Lowe and Elin Roberts came on in place of goalscorer Brown and Coulson, playing an important role in maintaining the defensive shape and seeing out the result.

Llanfair’s afternoon got worse in the final minutes when Millie Evans was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Ffion Owen, leaving the home side to finish the match with ten players.

The final whistle confirmed a huge 1-0 win away for Llangefni Ladies.

They now move on to the next stage of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup – the last 32 and first round proper – and will find out their next opponents in Thursday evening’s draw.

After that all focus will turn to Sunday and that Clash of the Titans away to double North East Wales Women’s League champions Pwllheli.

LLANGEFNI TOWN (team v Llanfair)

Katie Spruce, Marissa George, Beth Jones, Lowri Thomas, Nia Ginnelly, Ellie Coulson (c), Ffion Owen, Cerys Gadd, Carys Lock, Amber Brown, Llinos Hughes. Subs used: Catrin Roberts, Milly Lowe, Elin Roberts.