MIDWINTER HAT-TRICK SINKS BATTLING AMLWCH

Bethel and Amlwch (yellow) do battle

BETHEL 4 AMLWCH TOWN 3

(report: Wayne Jones)

Having not had a game since before Christmas, it was almost another weekend off with a final decision to play at Bethel only made half hour before kick following a final inspection by the match official.

The hosts started off brightly but it was Amlwch’s Lexi Musgrave who opened the scoring in the 11th minute when she nipped in before outcoming keeper Ceri Pritchard to a through ball and slot home.

Bethel almost levelled immediately but with keeper Sara Williams beaten, her captain Carol Lewis was on hand to clear off the line.

The hosts however were level soon after when a penalty was awarded in the 17th minute which Katie Midwinter duly converted.

Seven minutes later Midwinter put Bethel 2-1 ahead when she was allowed to turn in the area and curl the ball over Williams in goal.

Eleven minutes after the restart Amlwch pulled level when a long range effort from Lexi Musgrave looked like a comfortable catch for Pritchard but somehow the ball squirmed out of her hands and into the net.

The scores were level for only five minutes as Midwinter was allowed time in the area once again to find the net and complete her hat-trick whilst putting Bethel 3-2 ahead.

Once again the lead was short-lived as Amlwch levelled once again four minutes later when Cerys Gadd caught Pritchard unawares from long distance to score!

With the already heavy surface now deteriorating fast in the heavy rain both sides continued to chase a winner in difficult conditions but it was Bethel who edged ahead once again with five minutes of the game remaining when a cross from the left found Alaw Huws in the area to score.

There was almost more drama at the end when with almost the last kick of the game, a Shannon Thomas effort was smothered on the line by Pritchard to ensure the hosts held on to win by the odd goal in seven.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Katie Williams puts away a penalty for Caernarfon

CAERNARFON TOWN 3 AIRBUS 0
NORTH WALES WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE
(report: Dylan Huws)
In difficult conditions at The Oval ground last Sunday, Caernarfon Town  overcame tough competition from a competent Airbus side to win 3-0. 
The two teams, fourth and fifth in the league at the start of the match, and who also meet each other again this Sunday at Airbus, played some excellent football, despite the driving rain and heavy pitch with Caernarfon proving the stronger side over 90 minutes.
The first half started brightly for the Broughton side, and Caernarfon struggled to gain an early foothold. 
But the turning point came after 40 minutes when Anna Jones struck an immaculately taken left footed goal from just outside the box. 
Four minutes into the second half, centre forward Heledd Evans, a constant threat, was brought down in the box and captain Katie Williams stepped up to slot home a coolly taken penalty. 
Caernarfon were proving to be the stronger side as the match progressed with Ceri Slaney and Ffion Owen controlling the midfield and releasing both wings to great effect. 
And the third goal came from left winger Nel Huws as she squeezed home a shot through the keeper's legs to deepen Airbus Ladies' woe.
Caernarfon coach Keith Fearns said "We are an improving side and the work ethic that the girls showed at last week's drawn game at Llanfaircaereinion has continued. When we play like this we are capable of beating anyone." The win takes Caernarfon Ladies to third place, five points from leaders Denbigh Town.

Lexi Smith in action for Denbigh against Point. Pic: COL DUNCALF

NORTH WALES LEAGUE

DENBIGH Town returned to the North Wales Women's League summit with a 5-0 win over Point.

Before kick-off an impeccably observed one-minute silence took place for former Denbigh player Kelly Jones, who tragically passed away last weekend.

A subdued Denbigh, who had not played since November 22, began on the back foot as Point started brightly.

However, in the 10th minute Mari Edwards put Town 1-0 up and it remained that way up to half time.

Early in the second half the away keeper made a fine save from Chelsea Doherty, but Chelsea Williams side-footed home the rebound from six yards.

Goal number three arrived on the hour when Williams headed home an Edwards corner.

In the 70th minute Katherine Jones picked the ball up on the left wing before cutting inside, beating three defenders and firing an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner.

Jones added her second by forcing the ball over the line from close in following a corner.

Denbigh will have to up their performance level to see off the challenge of second-placed gap Northop Hall in their Welsh Women's Cup quarter-final this Sunday.

Other results: Bethel 4 Amlwch 3 (Lexi Musgrave 2, Cerys Gadd); Caernarfon 3 (Anna Jones, Kathy Williams, Nel Huws) Airbus 0; Kinmel Bay P gap Northop Hall P, Pwllheli P Llanfair United P.

Ffion Wyn Roberts of Aberystwyth (green) tussle with Rhyl's Joy Jamieson (pic: CHRIS HOWELLS)

WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

In the Welsh Premier Women's League, Rhyl and Prestatyn were beaten 3-1 at home by an impressive Aberystwyth Town.

In a flying start, Gabi Hughes put Aber ahead in the fourth minute before Niomi Evans added a second on eight.

Hughes found the net for her second before the break which arrived with a comfortable 3-0 lead for the greens.

In the second half Rhyl upped their game, but were only able to manage one response through Ashleigh Mills.

Other score: Port Talbot 3 Cardiff City 2. All other matches postponed.

NORTH WALES GIRLS LEAGUE RESULTS

Under-12 League Cup quarter-final: gap Northop Hall Hotspur 8 Denbigh 0.

Under-14 League: Llandudno 0 Corwen 3 (Katie Armstrong, Rachel Roberts 2); Rhyl Hearts 4 gap Northop Hall 3.

Under-16 League: Bangor 3 Caernarfon 4.