Dramatic comeback earns Kinmel Bay the win that takes them top

NWC LLANDUDNO KIA WOMEN’S LEAGUE – JANUARY 25

Llanystumdwy 2 (Ellis 11, Wellings 14)
Kinmel Bay 3 (Walsh 68, 83, 89)

Lexi Walsh’s latest hat-trick ensured Kinmel Bay fought back from two-down to snatch a dramatic victory which put them top of the North Wales Coast League on goal difference.

The home side started brightly and in the first 5 minutes Seren Ellis found herself through on goal, but Bay’s young keeper Hannah Topham made the save to keep the game level.

Five minutes later and the same situation, a Malen Williams through ball put Ellis through, Topham again getting a hand the shot, but this time it wasn’t enough to prevent the home side going ahead.

Llanystumdwy soon doubled their lead with a great goal. Lea Ephraim found Hana Wellings on the left hand side of the box, who controlled with her chest and lifted the ball into the far corner over the keeper.

Not many chances in the remaining half-hour of the 45, but the away side started to settle and get themselves into the game.

Half time: Llanystumdwy 2-0 Kinmel Bay

Bay’s changes just after the hour mark turned the game. On 68 minutes Walsh pulled a goal back, sub Millie Sergent’s cross providing the assist for the 17-year-old, who brought the ball down well and wrong-footed the keeper before finishing into an empty net.

The momentum was with Bay for the final 20 minutes, Llan now struggling to get out or find any respite, but still battling hard and not letting the travellers create any real chances.

That was until the 83rd minute, Walsh getting her second to bring it level. Another substitute Jaide Ang put pressure on the Llan defence and caused a mix up at the back, winning the ball and playing it through to Walsh who made no mistake in finishing into the right corner.

The away side fully capitalised on the equaliser and a winner seemed inevitable. In a matter of seconds from the restart Bay hit the bar, before it was half cleared and a foul was committed awarding the visitors a penalty.

Walsh stepped up but her kick was saved by Sara Lacey.

Not letting this affect her, in the 89th minute Walsh scored the winner – her 28th goal of the season. Sub Jaide Ang again putting pressure on the defence and blocking an attempted clearance, the ball bounced kindly and to Walsh in front of goal for her hat-trick, sealing all 3 points for Kinmel Bay.

Llanystumdwy manager Sion Parry said: “Tough one to take for us today, I can’t fault the girls at all for their effort, they gave everything. A couple of vital moments in the second half where we made a little mistake or a bad decision and we were punished for it.

“I thought we were really good first half, we had energy, we had intensity, we looked dangerous, and to do that against a good side was such a positive. Unfortunately we lost Malen half way through the first half and it clearly affected us. We had to change things round and we struggled to settle again just as Kinmel Bay were also getting stronger in the game.

“Right now it feels like two weeks in a row we’ve looked relatively comfortable halfway through the second half but goals change games, they’re a very good side and you have to expect at some point you will be up against it and have to dig deep.

“Unfortunately for us we just couldn’t quite get through that spell today and we ran out of steam. But you can see why Kinmel Bay are now top of the league, the really good teams find a way and credit to them.”

Kinmel Bay manager Naomii Oakley said: “We started very slow and it wasn’t our best performance up until we made the changes in the 68th. The subs gave us impact and we started playing the football we know we can play and we come to expect from the Bay ladies. Can’t take anything away from Llanystumdwy, they gave us a hell of a battle.”