10-player Kinmel Bay dig deep for victory and go top of table

KIA LLANDUDNO NORTH WALES COAST WOMEN’S LEAGUE

NFA 1 (Benjamin 75)
Kinmel Bay 2 (Nettleton 17, Walsh 57)

Kinmel Bay beat leaders NFA to leapfrog above them and take over top spot in the North Wales Coast Women’s League.

Bay produced a resilient and hard-fought performance on the road to claim all three points in a dramatic 2-1 victory over a strong NFA side — despite playing much of the match with 10 players and facing a number of questionable refereeing decisions.

The game began with high intensity as both sides battled to gain early control.

Kinmel Bay broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Jess Nettleton calmly slotted home after a clever assist from Baileigh Aaron.

Controversy struck late in the first half when the referee awarded NFA a penalty following a foul in the box. However, goalkeeper Shelby Wild produced a superb save from Cassandra Thomas to deny the hosts an equaliser, keeping Kinmel Bay’s advantage intact.

Moments later, tempers flared when the Kinmel Bay skipper Seren Williams — who had been following the “captain’s only” rule while questioning a decision — received a yellow card for dissent. As she walked away and spoke to the bench, the referee called her back and brandished a second yellow, reducing the visitors to 10 players in a bewildering turn of events.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Kinmel Bay showed tremendous spirit after the break. Their determination paid off in the 57th minute when Lexi Walsh latched onto a perfectly-timed through ball from Elin Jones, finishing with composure to double the lead.

NFA pressed hard to find a way back, but Kinmel Bay’s defence held firm, putting in a commanding performance.

The hosts did pull one back in the 75th minute, when Sade Benjamin unleashed a thunderous strike from the left-hand side that rocketed into the back of the net.

The final whistle blew with the score at 1–2, a result that reflected Kinmel Bay’s determination, discipline and teamwork in the face of adversity.

Players of the Match
• NFA: Cassie Thomas
• Kinmel Bay: Shelby Wild

Manager’s Player of the Match for Kinmel Bay
• Jennifer Small — a solid and composed display in defence, leading by example throughout.

NFA
Cerys Foston, Kayla Hargreaves, Sophie Heywood, Cadie Griffiths, Molly Brown, Georgia Williams (c), Sade Benjamin, Rachael Thomas, Alicia Duke, Rebekah McGuinness, Cassandra Thomas Subs used: Olivia Logan-Walsh, Mana Daneshvar, Mia Wall, Claire Smedley, Elizabeth McClelland.

KINMEL BAY
Shelby Wild, Jen Small, Sarah Williams, Georgia Williams, Lexi Walsh, Seren Williams (c), Lucy Perry, Amy Chesters, Baileigh Aaron, Jess Nettleton, Scarlett Gregson.
Subs used: Millie Sergent, Chloe Scanlan, Elin Jones, Connie Sheridan.