Cassia joy at home comfort
TEENAGER COMES OFF BENCH IN REDS WIN
WHILE much attention was on the England ladies football set-up, a North Wales girl proudly made her home debut for Liverpool in the Women’s Super League One last weekend.
Cassia Pike, of Porthmadog, came on as an 81st minute substitute in the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Bristol City Women at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
The 17-year-old Wales international forward, a student at Ysgol Eifionydd, replaced England striker Jess Clarke in the closing stages.
Cassia took her first-team bow for Liverpool in an FA Women’s Super League Continental Tyres Cup tie at Sunderland in December, but Saturday brought about her first home appearance at the Select Security Stadium, also the base of the Widnes Vikings rugby league side.
“It felt amazing making my debut (in December), but on Saturday I made my home debut which felt even better,” said fluent Welsh speaker Cassia.
“As a youngster I feel like it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn and play alongside the best players. I hope this is only the start for me, I have worked hard and I will continue to do so and stay focused.
“After nine years of dedication and commitment from me and my supportive family, we can see that hard work pays off and that good things take time.”
Among the crowd at Saturday’s game was newly-appointed England women’s head coach Phil Neville.
The match was the first top-flight match played since the ex-Manchester United and England defender took charge.
Junior England international Beth England scored both goals as Liverpool consolidated third place in WSL 1, the top level of women’s football in the UK. Also among Cassia’s team-mates at Liverpool are experienced England internationals, goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain, captain Gemma Bonner and defender Alex Greenwood. Wales star Natasha Harding was also with the Merseyside club before turning down a new contract last month and moving to Reading Women.
Like Harding, Llyn Peninsula teenager Cassia’s interest lies with Wales, having earned her first callup to the senior squad last year.
She was included in Jayne Ludlow’s 26-strong party for the A and B international friendlies against the Netherlands last July, securing some game time in the lower-profile B game behind closed doors. Cassia can play as an out-and-out striker or on either wing.
She made a big impression last October when she was on the mark twice as Wales Women’s U19 qualified for the Elite Round of the UEFA U19 Championships following a 6-0 win over Kazakhstan at the Namyz Stadium in Shymkent. The tournament will take place in the spring.
Cassia had previously represented her country at under-15, U16 and U17 level. She is one of a group of top young talents from North Wales who are playing in the English pyramid and look set for a bright future with the senior squad. They include Shannon Dukes, a defender who is on Everton’s books. She represented Wales in the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 championship qualifiers 2016-17 and is also a pupil at Ysgol Eifionydd.
Everton’s Emily Jones and Elise Hughes from Flintshire are also on the senior management’s radar, as is Lauryn Lyons, who plays for Cardiff City FC Women in the Welsh Premier League and is on the comeback trail from injury.