REPORT | Llangefni Town Ladies 5-2 Denbigh Town Ladies (FAW Women's Cup)

Denbigh Town Ladies exited the FAW Women’s Cup at the Qualifying Round stage with defeat at Llangefni.

Sophie Bancroft and Charlotte Morris’ goals weren’t enough as the hosts hit five at Cae Bob Parry to advance to the next stage.

Manager Ellen Lawson had to make five changes to the side that faced Flint a week previously as Charlotte Morris and Sophie Bancroft came in whilst debuts were handed to Alaw Jones, Lowri Claybrook and Beth Kell. Meanwhile, manager Lawson was named on the bench alongside Megan Edwards for the first time.

The first chance of the game fell to Denbigh as Lucy Morris saw an opportunity open up on the edge of the box but couldn’t keep her effort from going over.

Moments later the home side had their first chance and opened the scoring, Jess Jones beat the offside trap and calmly lobbed goalkeeper Netty Young. The lead was doubled on 24 minutes when Town skipper Elen Owen unfortunately turned the ball into her own net.

Not to be disheartened Denbigh fought to get back into the game, and just a minute later Bancroft finished superbly to halve the deficit on her first appearance of the campaign.

As the first half drew to a close each side had chances with Young denying a great Llangefni chance with a fine save before Kell’s effort from range almost caught out Lucy Richardson from 20-yards.

In stoppage time Llangefni extended their lead, as Jones hit one from the edge of the box leaving Young with no chance.

Half-Time: Llangefni Town 3-1 Denbigh Town

The second half saw chances limited in the opening exchange but Town were made to deal with a second injury of the afternoon. Emily Morris was forced off in the first half and replaced by Edwards and now manager Lawson stepped up due to a head injury to Lucy Morris on the hour mark.

Once play resumed goalkeeper Young was once again called upon to make a brilliant save at full stretch but moments later she was given little chance as Bancroft impeded an attacker handing the home side a penalty. On a hatrick, Jones stepped up and made no mistake.

Despite being three goals down Denbigh didn’t give in, Edwards forced Richardson into a fine stop with a curling effort from the edge of the box on 70 minutes, before hitting the bar a minute later. Still pressing she had a third effort in as many minutes, this time her effort from range missing the target.

With three minutes before stoppage time Edwards again had a pop this time finding the crossbar before Charlotte Morris finished the rebound to make it a nervy ending.

However, a minute later Llangefni buried the tie when Young’s clearance cannoned off of Jennifer Cox.

The referee blew for full time and Llangefni progressed to the next stage, ending our campaign in the FAW Women’s Welsh Cup for another year.

Denbigh Town Ladies: Young, A Jones, Bancroft, Kell, Owen, Claybrook, Purvis, S Jones, C Morris, E Morris, L Morris

Subs: Lawson, Edwards

Referee: Wayne Geraghty