Six of the best for Womens team against determined Holywell

Yesterday saw the womens team play Holywell up at a bitterly cold Plas Ffrancon. Holywell put up a great battle throughout with visiting keeper Sinead Beck producing an outstanding dispay in goal however Bangor came away with a deseved 6-2 win and returned to the top of the North Wales Women’s League.

The team started brightly and looked to apply early pressure with Gwen Roberts braking through down the left only to be denied by a good save at the near post from keeper Beck, playing in goal for the first time. Against the run of play Holywell took the lead from a free kick and a defensive mix up with Ruby McGilloway knocking the ball home to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

This seemed to wake the team up as we increased the tempo, putting more pressure on the Holywell defence and pinned them back in their half with their keeper producing some fine saves. This sustained pressure finally paid dividend as a ball down the left fell to Gwen who turned and sent a fantastic left foot shot into the right corner from outside the box to draw the game level at 1-1 and get Bangor back in the game.

An injury to defender Cara Aston meant an enforced change and re-jig to the formation with Awel Ellis coming on in midfield and stand-in captain Ffion Bee reverting back into a more accustomed defensive role. Bangor started taking more hold of the game and dictated more of the play with the good movement on and off the ball, more pressure and better link up play . This was rewarded when a ball down the right was played back to Jordan Roberts who superbly lobbed the keeper from a good 30 yards out to take a 2-1 lead. We continued to press and attack, but Holywell defended well and created a couple of chances themselves but where thwarted by a fantastic save from Becca Elliott. Four minutes before the break it was 3-1 when a shot from Awel was parried by their keeper and player of the match Chelsea Williams was alert and on hand to slot the ball in from close range.

The second half started with Holywell trying to get back into the game with renewed energy and where rewarded when a ball down the right found McGilloway, who converted well to make it 3-2. Again this seemed to spark the team into action who straight from the kick off sent the ball down the right and some one-touch football led to a great team goal and a lovely finish by Jordan to make it 4-2. This was followed by a superb long range free kick from Awel to make it 5-2 on 56 minutes as Bangor looked to control and manage the remainder of game. Holywell didn’t give up and created a few half chances of their own and their keeper was outstanding again this time denying Gwen with her feet for the save of the match. We continued to apply pressure and was rewarded when a ball into the box from the left fell nicely to Molly Barton for a tap-in to make it 6-2 in the end.

Bangor manager Jonny Batten said: “Firstly a big thank you to Holywell on making the journey down the A55 for today’s fixture. This game was played by two teams giving it their all and leaving everything on the pitch. Holywell should be proud of the effort they put in today, they truly made 1876 work for the win.”

Reflecting on the performance Coach Aron Griffith added:
"They pushed us all the way 'till the very end to be fair and gave us a few wake up calls along the way which we had to respond to and we did just that and more. Their keeper made some outstanding saves so hats off to them and they made us work for it.

Today we decided to change our tactics and went for a more attacking formation and I think it paid off. We created a lot of good chances and scored some lovely goals from good football. We played with more intent today, kept better possesion and moved the ball quicker from side to side with good interplay between the defence and midfield and midfield and attack. So really pleased with our performance today and the team should be proud of what they showed us on the pitch so we couldn't ask for anything more from the girls , top class today. They did everything we asked of them and fully deserved the win."

For match report please see:
https://nwsport.co.uk/2021/12/05/north-wales-womens-league-1876-return-to-the-summit-but-holywell-put-up-fine-show/