Katie turns up heat at Pesda
AMLWCH Town and Bethesda both look capable of producing big seasons in North Wales Women’s Football League Division Two if their opening day performances are anything to go by.
Pesda came away with a 5-1 victory at Rhyl Development last Sunday, while a new-look Amlwch saw off Corwen 3-1 at Lon Bach.
Three stunning finishes from Katie Midwinter ensured Bethesda’s first-ever match produced a comfortable victory at Ffordd Derwen.
Rhyl took a third-minute lead when Catrin Davies’ left-foot trickler found the net.
Bethesda responded with some dangerous-looking attacks, and, eventually, the equaliser came in the 33rd minute.
Ex-Wales international Chloe Hughes used some neat trickery in the box before a fierce shot was pushed into the air by the home keeper and Holly Beddall managed to bundle the ball home.
Rhyl were unfortunate not to regain the lead before the break when a long-range effort came back off the bar.
The second half saw Pesda take total control and, on 48 minutes, Hughes reached a bouncing ball in the box ahead of the keeper to nod home.
In the 54th minute it was 3-1 when Midwinter needed no backlift at all to curl a perfect shot into the right-hand corner from 15 yards.
The visitors hit the post before stretching their lead in the 66th minute, Midwinter’s free kick from between 20-25 yards flying in over the keeper.
Ten minutes from time, Midwinter hit a fierce shot from the edge of the box which went in off the crossbar.
Amlwch made some top quality signings over the summer, including the excellent and experienced Cerys Gadd, Lexi Crawley and Paige Musgrave from the now sadly-disbanded Bangor City Ladies.
They took the lead against Corwen when a fine pass from Gadd released Crawley to open the team’s account for the season.
A young Corwen side competed well and levelled before the break through Seren Hughes.
In the second half, Michelle O’Hagan took centre stage for Amlwch, netting two screamers to secure a 3-1 victory.
New manager Tony Fitzmaurice said: “It was a very good, positive start from the ladies.”
Amlwch follow up their opening fixture with a potential cracker at newly-formed Wrexham this Sunday.
Wrexham began their campaign in style with a 9-1 away success at Mountain Rangers last weekend.
It should be tougher for the Reds when they face Amlwch, whose squad includes former Wrexham player Lexi Crawley.
Bethesda, meanwhile, will look to make it two wins out of two, when they host newcomers Penrhyn Bay at Parc Meurig.
Penrhyn did not play last Satur- day, but the weekend before they were whipped 7-1 at Rhyl Development in their debut game.
NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE FIXTURES - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (1PM):
Division One: Airbus v Denbigh, Bethel v Pwllheli, Northop Hall v Llanfair.
Division Two: Bethesda v Penrhyn Bay, Corwen v Rhyl Development, Wrexham v Amlwch.
KATIE MIDWINTER marked her first game for newly formed Bethesda Ladies in style last Sunday with a debut hat-trick in a 5-1 win at Rhyl Development.
It has been a big upheaval for the 21-year-old, who had played for Bethel since the age of 11 and was part of a squad looking good for a North Wales Women’s League Division One title challenge this season.
However, last week Katie announced her decision to drop down a division and take a lead role at her hometown club. Katie told the Mail’s Dave
Jones the reasons behind her new start at Parc Meurig. Why are you making this move?
I felt the chance to be a part of a brand new team in Bethesda, the first women’s team in history in my hometown, was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
I was keen to start a team here when approached with the idea, and, as I’ve been involved from the start, I felt I had to be a part of it. What has attracted you to Bethesda?
It’s my hometown, I’ve grown up here and gone to school here. The facilities at the club are great and the foundation is here to build a great team.
A lot of people have told me it’s historically an honour to play on the pitch at Parc Meurig, and that was also a factor. What are the aims for this season?
I think the aim will be to do as well as we can in the league, take every game as it comes.
As a completely new squad we have to have high hopes that we can challenge, I know there’s great quality in this team so it’s just making sure we play to the best of our abilities and gel as a team.
It’s about staying committed and making sure this club can grow and improve. Do you feel the team will boost the local community with the men’s side having to disband before the season started?
The foundation is already here, there are many youth teams with enthusiastic players so the club can only grow and grow. It’s important to have a senior side in the village, and, hopefully, it can encourage and inspire more young girls in the village to play. How hard has it been to leave Bethel? Do you feel the team can challenge for the Division One title?
It was a very difficult decision as I have been at Bethel for 10 years, since I was 11 years old.
The team, on the pitch, are at their best at the moment and I enjoyed playing with the youngsters there.
I definitely think they have a good chance of challenging for the league, as they are capable of beating any team. But, for me, I felt it was the right time to leave, take on more responsibility and a new challenge.
Are you looking for players?
Bethesda Athletic Ladies are looking for enthusiastic players that want to be a part of this project.
When can we see you in action? Our first home match is this Sunday at home to Penrhyn Bay at Parc Meurig, 1pm kick-off.