(pictures and video, courtesy of Paul Hatton)
The final warm-up game for both teams, before the Island Games competition and both provided a competitive game that was the perfect send off.
Two years ago, the teams met in the blazing heat. Ynys Môn had yet to train together and were on the back of a perhaps edgy club game that had featured many of the team. It showed against a well drilled Manx team, who despatched them 10-1. In Guernsey sunshine, the team found themselves and what was a nightmare, turned into an epic journey, finishing with a best ever placing and an epic win over a fancied Jersey outfit.
The Isle of Man’s journey had its own twists and turns, but an agonising single goal defeat to eventual champions, Bermuda, was to prove their undoing. A bronze medal win over Menorca, coming after going behind and surviving a pitch invasion from an adorable aged black labrador!
Wayne Lisy’s charges, always well drilled and at high levels of fitness. Sporting many familiar faces and a few new ones, and with three group matches against debutant teams to come, they needed a challenging game to get them ready.
For Dan Gregg, he had seen a few changes. Gone was the physical presence of Jen Cox up front, the bustle of Cerys Gadd, the speedy defence of Jo Bramwell, and the midfield general Nia ‘Gino’ Ginnelly. In place was a mixture of youth and experience and practice. The team knew each other and was, as the manager said, ‘different gravy’.
It was hot and humid on the 3G at Airbus’ ground, but it was Ynys Môn who laid down the challenge at the start. A loose ball in midfield was pounced on by Casi Evans. The Blackburn Rover was quick to hit a long pass over the defence for Ellie Jones to run down the right wing. Her cross went over the defence, allowing a simple tap in for Hannah Owen at the far post.
There was no panic and the Isle of Man got over the shock to knuckle down into the game. Driven forward by the persistence of Tia Lisy, the ball was sent forward to Pippa Wallis. Bearing in from the right, the young striker delivered a pearler of a shot that curled over Catrin Roberts and into the top corner of the net. The youngest ever Manx woman to score and a memorable one at that.
The Isle of Man team began to dominate, but could not find the breakthrough of a wall of midfielders. Once again, Ynys Môn broke away and Ellie Jones, Felinheli’s winger, was down the right again. This time, the cross was a howitzer, that came down on the back post. Again, the Manx defence was wrong footed and Hannah Owen was on hand for a header into the net.
Back again came the Manx team. Holly Sumner, moving to a more central midfield, started asking questions of the Welsh defence. One mazy run won a free kick just outside of the box. Sarah O’Reilly curled the free kick around the wall and it was level, which remained until half time.
The second half saw a large change of personnel, both teams taking the opportunity to give their squad game time. This time, it was the Isle of Man who struck first. A cross from the right went behind most of the players, bar Tia Lisy who smashed the ball in for the lead. It was a trademark hit from the defender, reminiscent of the Alan Partridge quote of ‘having a foot like a traction engine…’
Ynys Môn pushed for an equaliser and two free kicks proved telling. Both times, Casi Evans peppered the Isle of Man goal. The first one produced a super palmed save from young no.2 keeper Caitlyn Beaty. The second one lifted over the keeper and came down off the inside of the crossbar, just enough for the linesman to call it in goal. Against the odds perhaps, Ynys Môn had pulled the game level.
The final goal came from a handball from a corner in the closing minutes of the match. Becky Cole sent Roberts the wrong way and Isle of Man retained their record of wins over the Ynys Môn women’s team.
It wasn’t straightforward and at times Ynys Môn asked many questions of the team, but they will feel it was a job well done. Tia Lisy, was the standout player, delivering long accurate passes and stubborn defence. The work of Louise Gibbins at the back, Chloe Teare on the wing and the trickster Holly Sumner was pleasing, but Island Games fans should keep an eye on the new kids on the block – the likes of Poppy Wallis and Rosabel Cardy.
For Ynys Môn, perhaps it was closure of that awful day in Wrexham two years ago. As captain Carol Lewis said, ‘having gone toe to toe with the Isle of Man, we’re not worried about meeting anyone anymore.’ Newcomers abounded from the almost nonchalant defence of Erin Burns, the bustle of Beth Jones and the physical power of Menna Evans. The key components of the engine though, was the midfield. Led by Casi Evans, with Charlotte Madden and Mia Roberts providing able support, they looked dangerous.
POTM chosen was Ynys Môn winger Hannah Owen. Always a threat with her pace, running and ball control, she managed to play the full 90, and produced two goals to take the game to the Manx. Two years ago, she couldn’t get in the starting eleven. Taking on board advice, she has worked hard and is one of the first names on Dan Gregg’s team sheet.
