Nomads edge Llandudno in tight affair to maintain unbeaten start

GENERO ADRAN TROPHY – OCTOBER 16, 2022

Connah’s Quay Nomads 1
Llandudno 0

Report: Adam Angerer

Sunday saw Nomads clinch a 1-0 victory over Llandudno thanks to Kirstie Kural’s second minute header, securing all three points and moving a giant step closer towards the next stage of the Genero Adran Trophy.

The hosts were delighted to see many fans from both sides in attendance with a special mention going to Andrew McGregor and The Tackle Store for sponsoring Nomads’ home match days, providing hot drinks and refreshments for staff, players and fans.

Nomads entered the game in amazing form, having won all four of their opening matches including a 6-0 victory over Felinheli, back-to-back triumphs over Airbus and a FAW Women’s Cup success over Llanfair.

As for Llandudno, they sit top of the Genero Adran North after scoring 14 goals in two games, whilst also keeping two clean sheets in those matches against Rhyl 1879 and Llanfair.

Nomads manager Jordan Parry named a starting eleven featuring U19 stars Elana Harley and Polly Wild-McGregor with Tamara Hamer alongside them in the front three. Key players Amber Bailey and Shannon Hobbs were absent, meaning Emily Bentley dropped into midfield, joined by Kural and Kylie Jones.

Llandudno made two changes from their victory against Llanfair last time out as Hannah Smith returned to replace youngster Madison Williams with Louisha Doran also coming back into the side in place of Shona Roberts, who was named on the bench.

Nomads made the perfect start as Bentley’s corner found Kylie Jones who had her nodded effort cleared but only as far as Kural who timed her attempt to perfection, sending a looping header beyond Llandudno goalkeeper Caitlyn Bibby-Fry to hand the hosts an early lead.

The visitors were close to getting in behind the Nomads back-line as Indie Hassall played a curling ball towards Ffion Owen but a great last-ditch interception and clearance from Emily Luke ensured the danger was averted.

Hamer came extremely close to making it 2-0 as she turned onto her right following a short pass from Harley before unleashing an epic strike which rattled the crossbar and came back into the hands of the keeper.

Llandudno had their first major chance through Maddie Williams. Hassall’s pass into the path of Williams saw the attacker aim for the bottom-right corner but a remarkable diving save from Meg Robinson kept Nomads in front.

Soon after, Doran let fly from long range and her shot was just wide of the target.

The beginning of the second half almost saw Harley continue her great goal scoring form as he turned her marker on the edge of the area, sending a low left-footed drive towards the near post but her shot was watched and caught by Bibby-Fry.

The away side began to enjoy much more of the ball and looked to pose a threat in the final third, however a series of crosses from the right hand side didn’t trouble Robinson and the Nomads back four.

Llandudno had a glorious chance to equalise as Mari Gibbard found Kelsey Davies with space inside the area but Davies was unable to fully control the ball, seeing the duo of Sienna Strapp and Llinos Hughes producing a great piece of defending to halt the attack.

The resulting corner fell to Maddie Williams, who shot at goal but Llinos Hughes was there again to make an important block. Williams tried her luck again but Robinson made a superb stop to keep the clean sheet intact.

A quick passing move from Nomads almost resulted in a goal as Kural found Hamer who volleyed the ball into the path of Jennifer Haynes, however the goalkeeper managed to get there just in time before Haynes could seek an opportunity.

Kelsey Davies was found on the right again and her cross turned shot looked to be finding the top corner but Robinson made yet another vital save to keep her side ahead.

The full time whistle blew, meaning Kural’s early opener was enough to secure all three points against reigning Adran North champions Llandudno.