TRAWSFYNYDD’S Mared Griffiths continued her impressive start to the season by scoring for Manchester United Women in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Durham in the Subway Players Cup on Wednesday evening (30 September).

The 19-year-old Wales international found the net late on as United made it two wins from two in the competition to remain top of the table with a goal difference of +13.

Griffiths has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough in recent weeks. Just last month she scored the first senior hat-trick of her career in a 10-1 win over Sheffield United, taking her tally to five goals in her opening three first-team appearances for the club.

The visitors dominated much of the encounter and took the lead after 11 minutes when Rebeca Bernal’s looping effort found the net. Durham responded through Lucy Watson, whose long-range free-kick levelled the scores before half-time.

United regained control after the break. Dominique Janssen restored their advantage with a superb free-kick before Monica Jusu Bah netted her first goal for the club to make it 3-1.

Griffiths had already tested the Durham goalkeeper with a powerful effort from distance and was rewarded for her lively display three minutes from time. A low cross into the area found the former Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor student unmarked and she calmly swept a first-time finish into the net for United’s fourth goal of the evening.

Elisabeth Terland rounded off the scoring shortly afterwards as United completed a convincing victory.

Griffiths, who returned to Manchester this season following a successful loan spell with Sunderland, continues to strengthen her case for regular first-team involvement.

The former FAW North Academy player is widely regarded as one of Welsh football’s brightest young talents and her latest goal provided further evidence of her growing influence at Old Trafford.