Kirstie strikes twice in a stunning win for Connah’s Quay Nomads

The New Saints 1 (Scott)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (Kural 2)

Nomads proved they are well and truly ready for the challenges ahead in tier 2 Genero Adran North after winning 2-1 at top flight outfit The New Saints today.

Former Manchester City midfielder Kirstie Kural scored both goals for Jord Parry and Stephen Boyes’ ever-developing Deesiders.

A top-class futsal player, Kural has also played for Aston Park, Wrexham, Chester, Ellesmere Port and most recently Northop Hall, where she won two North Wales League titles.

The first half at Park Hall this afternoon saw Nomads sit back, respect and take a good look at their newly-selected tier 1 opponents of the Genero Adran Premier.

The half was fairly even, with attacks coming from both sides.

In the second half, the Nomads changed their shape. After noticing that TNS were playing a 4-4-2 diamond the visitors began to focus their play down the wings where they were gaining success.

As-well as this Connah’s Quay played a much higher press in the final third as they noticed the TNS keeper was struggling with her kicking.

Nomads took the lead when Shannon Hobbs delivered into the box from the halfway line and Kural struck.

The second goal was almost a carbon copy of the first, with the free kick in a higher position. Making use of the obvious physical and height advantage, Kural pounced again to make the score 2-0.

TNS pulled one back through Francesca Scott with 10 minutes to go, their fresher younger legs benefiting them when a through ball was fed through a tiring Nomads defence.

Quay goalkeeper Charlie Bolland made an exceptional one-on-one save in the dying minutes to ensure Nomads took the win.

Jord Parry commented after the game: “It was great to see the girls work hard for each other on the wide pitch at Park Hall.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the data provided from the analysis team headed by Gareth Jones, who I’ve worked with closely in the past, to actually see how many kilometres the girls travelled on the pitch today.

“Today was a good test for ourselves to see how we would play against a tier 1 team and it was clear that the way we set the team out that we showed the opposition the respect they deserve for attaining the tier 1 license.

“We knew it would be a hard shift for the girls as the opposition has a young fit squad, but seeing 2 set pieces come off in the game that have been worked on in training was pleasing to see.

“The whole staff and squad are now preparing for our first game in the newly-structured Welsh pyramid and we are looking forward to the first league game against Denbigh next Sunday.”

Connah’s Quay Nomads director of football Jay Catton, a key figure in helping turn the men’s side from contenders to two-time Cymru Premier champions, Welsh Cup winners and European success stories, also takes a great interest in the women’s side.

He recalled the Nomads ladies conceding double figures back in 2018 to TNS and commented on the stunning transformation today.

Jay tweeted after the match: “From losing double figures just over 2 years ago in the same game at same venue. A great performance & result for @the_nomads women’s team, evidence of incredible progression on and off the pitch for club’s female section. Well done @JordParry staff and all players. #oneclub.”

Nomads starting XI
Charlie Bolland GK
Kirstie Kural
Shannon Hobbs
Llinos Hughes
Emma Roden
Jade Davies
Kylie Jones
Jade Scott
Niamh Grimshaw
Tamara Hamer
Trialist
Subs
Lauren Davies
Trialist
Trialist