Returning Lois Thomas and top-scorer Moore both strike twice in Pwllheli cup success
NWC LLANDUDNO KIA WOMEN’S LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
CPD Pwllheli 4 (L Thomas 17, 90+5, Moore 18, 66)
Kinmel Bay 1 (Walsh 3)
Lois Thomas and Sian Moore both struck twice as Pwllheli avenged an early season league loss to Kinmel Bay by knocking the Conwy County side out of the League Cup on Sunday.
For club record goalscorer Thomas it was a first game since September and she certainly showed her team-mates what they have been missing.
In what was a fierce and entertaining contest from start to finish, Kinmel Bay made the perfect start, opening the scoring inside the first three minutes.
A beautifully weighted through ball from Seren Williams split the defence and found Lexi Walsh, who cut inside before unleashing a thunderous strike into the bottom left corner, giving the Pwllheli goalkeeper no chance with her 25th goal of the season.
The early setback did little to slow the tempo of the game, with both sides battling intensely across the pitch. Pwllheli found their equaliser in the 17th minute when Jini Owen Hughes played a delightful pass down the left flank to Thomas, who calmly slotted the ball past the Bay keeper.
Momentum swung quickly, and just a minute later Pwllheli took the lead. Captain Magi Hughes picked a well-timed pass, and Moore struck the ball with pace to find the back of the net, making it 2–1.
The first half ended with Pwllheli narrowly ahead after an action-packed opening 45 minutes.
The second half continued in the same competitive fashion, with neither side willing to give an inch.Pwllheli extended their lead in the 66th minute when Jini Owen Hughes once again showed her vision, threading a precise through ball to Moore, who made no mistake in finishing confidently.
Kinmel Bay continued to push and were kept in the game by some outstanding goalkeeping, but Pwllheli sealed the win deep into stoppage time. In the 90+5 minute, Keely Jones broke past the Bay defence and unselfishly squared the ball to Thomas, who secured her second goal of the tie to make it 4–1.
Player of the Match for Kinmel Bay, voted by Pwllheli, was goalkeeper Hannah Topham, who produced a series of incredible saves to keep her side competitive throughout the game.
Player of the Match for Pwllheli went to captain Magi Hughes, whose leadership, composure on the ball, and ability to dictate play were instrumental in Pwllheli’s victory.
Manager’s Player of the Match for Kinmel Bay was the tireless Elin Jones.