Page 26 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.28 2022-23

Wales sealed promotion to League A of next season's UEFA WU19 European Qualifying
Round with victories against Kazakhstan and Estonia in Denbigh.
The campaign started with a 5-2 win against Kazakhstan last Tuesday, with a brace each
for Tianna Teisar and Manon Pearce and a goal for Lauren Purchase.
Nicola Anderson’s side clinched promotion with an impressive 4-0 win over Estonia on
Monday afternoon (10 April), finishing top of League B Group 6 in the process. Teisar opened
the scoring, while a second half double by Bethan McGowan either side of a goal by attacker
Ella Humphrey secured the three points.
Head coach Anderson told faw.cyrmu: "I think today is definitely more of a representation
of us, the team and what they’re capable of more so than the Kazakhstan game.
"What the girls have done really well this week is apply themselves. They worked to our
Welsh-way principles."
"I think they’re good problems to have when you’re creating opportunities and now it’s
about converting those. They will be the margins that will either keep us in League A or bring
us back down to League B.’’
"It’s somewhere we genuinely believe we should be more often. We hope the new group
that will come together in August will be pushing that more and League A is somewhere we
want to make a Welsh home.’’
Captain Bethan McGowan also expressed her delight at securing League A promotion for
next season. "I'm really proud of the players. We started the first game shaky, but today we put
everything into practice, scored goals and stayed together.’’
"We had a bit of down time after the first game, regrouped and thought of how we could
do better, and we ended on a high which is great.’’
"We’re not used to scoring as many goals as we have, and we’re playing a more attacking
style of football. I’m so proud of everyone and it really has brought us together."
Teisar, who netted three goals over the two games in the campaign, said "I’m feeling really
confident, building momentum and getting goals which is my job. I’m feeling really happy, I’m
in a good place and everything is good.’’
The forward opened the scoring against Estonia after 15 minutes, turning in a ball that was
bouncing in the box.
"We always look to start well and it’s always nice to get the first goal early so we can play
our football,’’ she said. "We want to play against the best teams, we want to challenge
ourselves. We believe in ourselves, and we’re not frightened by any big teams.’’
(faw.cyrmu)
JO BRITT
Former Keynsham Town player Jo Britt has sadly passed away from a brain
tumour. Jo had previously fought off cancer.
Keynsham manager , Barrie Newton, recalled how Jo was the first ‘outside’
player recruited as his team comprising former Keynsham primary school
players started to play senior football.
“Jo was an experienced player and I had to persuade her to join a club
comprising 16 year olds that needed some guidance on the pitch,” he said. “We
made Jo captain and she proved a superb help to the young players for several
years. Jo even helped us out in 2017 with a couple of games when we had a
shortage of players in the Development side.”
One of Keynsham’s longest serving players, Hannah Sims, added: “Such sad
news, she was such a lovely person and a great captain. (It) was always nice to see
her and remimisce when she came to watch a game. So, so sad.”
Jo was a wonderful and unassuming and cheerful person who will be sadly
missed by all who knew her and from the other clubs that she played for, Bristol
Utd, Bristol & West and Stoke Lane Athletic.
Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with Jo’s family and friends.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk