BETHEL GIRLS 3

CORWEN GIRLS U-16s 3

(Corwen won 5-4 on penalties)

IN football terms, this was without doubt the result of the season for Corwen Girls U-16s.

They held their nerve to see off Bethel on penalties in the semi-finals of the North Wales Girls League Cup.

The Dee Valley girls lost heavily at home to Bethel a few weeks earlier in the league.

For the last-four clash, they had no goalkeeper and only nine players available, so few would have thought the girls in red would come away with a result.

At one stage, they had only eight players as Sophie Hodson jarred her knee on the hard ground.

Even though she was in great pain, the midfielder was patched up to go back on and complete the game.

The volunteer of the day was Seren Williams, who went in goal and made some excellent stops.

In addition, she saved two penalties and scored one herself.

Excellent strikes by Elisa Williams and Ffion Evans made sure the tie was level at 2-2 when half-time arrived.

In the second half - and with Sophie Hodson receiving treatment - the Corwen girls dug in to put together a defensive masterclass, with sweeper Rachel Roberts pulling the strings.

Corwen thought they had won it in the last five minutes as Ffion Evans stroked home, but Bethel levelled to take the tie into extra time.

Both times were extremely tired as they cancelled each other out during the additional 20 minutes and penalties were required to decide the winners.

After five penalties apiece, the sides still could not be separated the the scoreline was 4-4.

Ffion Evans then nervelessly stepped up to make it 5-4 and Seren Williams' save ensured Corwen's triumph.

The other penalty scorers for Corwen were Rachel Roberts, Elisa Williams, Katie Armstrong and Seren Williams.

Everyone, from the team to the supporters, deserve massive praise and this is a match that will be talked about for years to come.

Corwen will tackle Penrhyn Bay in the final at Llanrwst this Friday, June 8.

Corwen: Seren Williams, Amelia Evans (captain), Rachel Roberts, Kate Davies, Ffion Evans, Sophie Hodson, Elisa Williams, Katie Armstrong, India Williams.