NWCFA WOMEN’S CHALLENGE CUP: Felinheli and Bangor advance to the final

NWCFA WOMEN’S CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS REPORTS – APRIL 15

Kinmel Bay 1 (Chesters 25)
CPDM Y Felinheli 4 (Tugwell-Allsup 20, Evans 34, 71, Davies 84)

DAVE JONES REPORTS FROM Y MORFA, CADER AVENUE, KINMEL BAY

Two stunning strikes from Catrin Evans provided the highlight of Felinheli’s hard-fought victory at Y Morfa on Wednesday night.

Felin reached a fourth successive NWCFA Challenge Cup Final where the challenge of CPDM Bangor awaits later this month.

It proved a tough test for the Adran North visitors at Kinmel Bay, a Tier 3 North Wales Coast League outfit who have had a great season.

Felin threatened early when Shannon Jade Jones raced to meet a ball into the box, but Bay keeper Shelby Wild got there first.

Wild then did well to keep out a snapshot from Llywela Edwards before the home side’s Seren Williams whipped one across goal from about 20 yards.

Shannon Jade Jones showed electric pace to win the ball on the left for the visitors, but she fired into the side-netting.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes. Jones drilled a lovely pass down the left, Edwards crossed low into the middle and Jenna Tugwell-Allsup applied the finish.

The underdogs equalised with 25 gone, Baileigh Aaron fed a through ball for Amy Chesters, who finished well in a one-on-one with keeper Anna Jones.

Chesters had a superb game up front, showing a tremendous work-rate throughout in a position where she stood out last season with 26 goals.

Felin’s second goal on 34 minutes was something special. Catrin Evans received the ball wide right and struck a stunning left-footer from all of 25 yards which flew in over Wild’s reach.

Half-time: 1-2

After the break defences were on top, both sides putting in endless strong tackles and producing numerous vital clearances.

Katie Midwinter was first to get a clear opening for Felin when she worked her way into a shooting position more than 20 yards out, but her attempt cleared the bar.

Midwinter then produced some magic when she foxed two defenders near the right byline, advanced on goal and lifted the ball over Wild, but it landed on top of the net.

It was still anyone’s game until on 71 minutes Catrin Evans took control of the ball about 20 yards from goal and hit an absolute rasper high into the net – what a goal!

Chesters had an opening at the other end but drove wide before in the 84th minute sub Rubie Davies made it 4-1 seconds after taking the field.

Tugwell-Allsup passed from midfield and sub Davies raced clear on goal, finishing smartly to seal the win.

KINMEL BAY

Shelby Wild, Jen Small, Baileigh Aaron (Jess Nettleton 58), Chloe Scanlan (Lexie McEvoy 46 – Connie Sheridan 57), Elin Jones (Jaide Ang 57), Georgia Williams, Seren Williams (c), Amy Chesters, Sarah Williams, Scarlett Gregson (Millie Sergent 80), Natasha Standing.

CPDM Y FELINHELI

Anna Jones, Shannon Jade Jones, Llio Henshaw, Kelly Jones (c), Jordanne Greenough, Katie Midwinter (Rubie Davies 82), Llywela Edwards (Lauren Watts 88), Jenna Tugwell-Allsup, Fflur Williams (Efa Holdsworth 88), Ellie Jones (Jody Cain 81), Catrin Evans (Elsi Williams 82).

REFEREE: Aaron Dodwell (Rhyl)

CPDM Bangor 2 (J Jones 3, H Owen-Roberts 90)
Llandudno 1 (M Williams 24)

Holly Owen-Roberts’ 90th minute wonder strike made her the toast of Bangor as the Citizens reached their first NWCFA Challenge Cup Final.

The youngster’s long distance cracker ensured Llandudno failed to make it into a fourth final in five years.

These sides had shared two close battles in Adran North this season, so it was no surprise to see Wednesday’s cup encounter at Bangor City Stadium end up so tight.

There were early celebrations as well as late for Bangor as in just the third minute new signing Jess Jones grabbed her first goal for the club since joining from Llangefni Town.

After a year out with a knee injury, the 20-year-old announced she is well and truly back, benefiting from a Ceri Slaney assist.

Tudno levelled on 24 minutes when Seren Kerfoot-Robson set up Maddie Williams to put away her ninth goal of the season.

And that was the last of the scoring until in the closing stages, with penalties looming, Owen-Roberts let fly from at least 35 yards with a low skidding drive which beat the dive of Seasiders keeper Megan Robinson.

THE FINAL

• The final between CPDM Bangor and CPDM Y Felinheli will take place at Lon Groes, Gaerwen, on Sunday, April 26, kick-off 2 pm.