Womens Team through to NWCFA Challenge Cup semi-final

Sunday saw us travel to Llanystumdwy in the NWCFA Challenge Cup quarter final against a much improved team since we played them last. Desptie taking a relatively young squad with number of first team regulars unavailable or injured the team secured a deserved place in the semi-final draw with a 1-0 victory thanks to a Chelsea Williams goal on 72 minutes (game to be played 3rd April 2022) .

Commenting on the win, manager Jonny Batten had this to say :

"I am super proud of the effort the team put in today. Llan made us work really hard for it and we had to dig deep to get anything out of the game. They were well drilled, worked hard to shut us down, gave us no space to play, had numbers behind the ball and tried to attack us on the counter. But as a team we stuck to our own game plan and never panicked. We trusted what we were doing and knew that goal would eventually come which it did. The heavy pitch didn't help or really suit our play but it was the same for both teams . We did try to get the ball down and play, knock it about and the team had to figure out a way to break Llanystumdwy down and we were worthy winners in the end even though it was a bit tense at times !

I know we missed a lot of good chances today and on another day the scoreline could have been more convincing, but they defended well and their keeper made some great saves but we kept going, giving it everything and that’s all we can ask for.

First half I felt we allowed Llanystumdwy to much space and maybe gave them too much respect to play their game. The game was a bit scrappy at times and we allowed them a too many chances for our liking. Second half though I felt we took more control and looked the more likely to win, had most of the possession and definitely had more of the chances - we clipped the crossbar, hit the post or shot narrowly wide. Our defence looked solid and that allowed us to push the midfield further up to support attacks. Gwen and Jordan looked really sharp on the wings and Ffion Mair looks like she's getting back to her pre-injury form which is understandable after a lot of games out with injury. Ffion Bee playing out of position today was solid in the middle and Chelsea's link up play and movement off the ball was super and she thoroughly deserved her goal.

But really today wasn’t about individuals though, it was a team effort start to finish. They had to dig deep and did it together, they all worked hard for each other, covering each other and supporting each other in and out of possession.

Also we had a few of our U19s in the squad and some got game time today and they deserve a massive thank you and congratulations. They put in a shift and it was really good to see them involved. This is the best way for them to learn and they look to be taking it all onboard. Lucy was solid in goal and made some cracking saves, Amy gave a player of the match performance at the back and was unlucky not to grab a goal. Sophie came on and did well at right back, linking up with Jordan down the right. Nel came on but unfortunately didn’t get as much game time as we wanted given how the game played out but looked sharp and confident in the set up. I’m sure we will see more of these players during the season as they push to break into the senior set-up.

So respect to Llanystumdwy today for making it hard for us, and a big thank you to them for their generous hospitality after the match. We have a lot to work on moving forward but the effort and spirit today was something to be proud of, this is what got us the semi-final spot.

We now get back into training ready for the our next league game at home to Holywell ( Sunday 5th December kick-off 2pm at Plas Ffrancon, Bethesda), another 3 points and momentum is what we need to be working towards, and hopefully have a full strength squad available to us for it, should be a cracker."

For a fuller match report see :
https://nwsport.co.uk/2021/11/21/womens-football-cup-and-league-action-brings-joy-for-nfa-1876-rhyl-1879-and-northop-hall/

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