MATCH OF THE DAY – Bute Energy Welsh Cup: Lacey once more the hero as Pwllheli pip NFA on penalties
BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP ROUND ONE – NOVEMBER 15, 2026
NFA 1 (Thomas pen 5)
Pwllheli 1 (M Hughes 79)
(Pwllheli won 6-5 on penalties)
DAVE JONES reports from Ffordd Derwen
For the second round in succession goalkeeper Sara Lacey was Pwllheli’s Welsh Cup hero as she produced two penalty shoot-out saves to help her team into the last 16.
Having broken Tier 2 Berriew’s hearts in the last round by denying them from the spot, Lacey left NFA distraught with two stops in a penalties contest which ended 6-5 to Pwll.
Penalties played a massive part in an all-Tier 3 clash at Ffordd Derwen.
In the fifth minute, an NFA corner caused distress in the Pwllheli defence and in their desperation to clear an offence was spotted by the assistant which led to referee Jason Jenkins pointing to the spot.
Cassandra Thomas made no mistake to put the Rhyl hosts in front.
New signing from Connah’s Quay Nomads, Lexi Walsh, had a chance to make it 2-0, but keeper Lacey got enough of a hand on the striker’s attempted lob to keep it out.
Pwllheli’s Stacey Sansome forced Cerys Foston into a smart save with a header from a flag-kick and before the break the home keeper palmed efforts from Magi Hughes and Sian Moore behind for a corner.
Half-Time: NFA 1 Pwllheli 0
Early in the second half, Baileigh Aaron was through on goal for the home side, but Lacey got down well to thwart the young attacker.
Good pressure from Moore then created a chance for Heidi Condliffe at the other end, but the 17-year-old blasted over the bar.
As the second half wore on, it was mainly all Pwllheli attacking and NFA defending heroically with Georgia Williams and Sophie Haywood especially outstanding.
Sioned Jones rolled an effort inches wide for the visitors before NFA had a huge chance to score a second on 72 minutes.
For the second time, a penalty was awarded to the hosts on the advice of the linesman, this time for a foul in the box.
Cassandra Thomas stepped up again, but this time lofted the ball over the bar.
Soon after Amy Webster was clean through for NFA, but once more Lacey excelled in a one-on-one situation.
The 79th minute saw Pwllheli level the tie. A Sioned Jones corner from the right was brilliantly headed home by captain Magi Hughes.
Both sides pressed for the winner, but it was not to be, so in the gathering gloom penalties it was.
PENALTY SHOOT OUT
Cassandra Thomas netted NFA’s first, then Magi Hughes fired over the bar.
Rachael Thomas made it 2-0, Lois Thomas converted for the visitors, then Lacey denied Walsh with an outstretched leg.
Claudia Owen made it 2-2, 16-year-old Jasmine Smith showed nerves of steel to put NFA back in front, then Fosron saved Moore’s kick.
However, the officials decided Foston had stepped off her line and Moore was allowed a retake, this time finding the net.
Webster put away NFA’s fourth, Sioned Jones levelled the shootout, Aaron made it 5-4 and Annest Roberts equalised.
Haywood then came forward for NFA and this time Lacey kept the ball out diving to her left.
Eirwen Ann Williams walked up with the chance to win the tie and she converted to spark huge celebrations in the Llŷn Peninsula camp.
Neither team deserved to lose. Penalties are a lottery and on this occasion it was Pwllheli’s day, but NFA could feel proud of their tremendous effort.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
NFA – Georgia Williams
Majestic display at the back, so many tackles, clearances, interceptions and fine passes
Pwllheli – Sara Lacey
Not just two saves in the penalty shoot-out but also some crucial stops from one-on-ones at key times in the game.
NFA
Cerys Foston, Summer Jones, Sophie Haywood, Jasmine Smith, Georgia Williams (c), Baileigh Aaron, Lexi Walsh, Rachael Thomas, Amy Webster. Olivia Evans, Cassandra Thomas.
PWLLHELI
Sara Lacey, Lowri Hughes, Leanne Rees-Hughes, Jini Owen-Hughes (Claudia Owen 46), Magi Hughes (c), Lois Thomas, Stacey Sansome, Sian Moore, Eirwen Ann Williams, Sioned Jones, Heidi Condliffe (Annest Roberts 58)