Wrexham and Connah’s Quay Nomads shine for North Wales in the Genero Adran Trophy – Rosie hits six!

It was a truly magnificent weekend for Adran North clubs in the Genero Adran Trophy.

Connah’s Quay Nomads, Llandudno and Wrexham all beat Adran Premier opponents to reach the last eight.

The teams that will feature in tomorrow night’s quarter-final draw are:

Aberystwyth Town
Cardiff City Women FC
Cardiff Metropolitan
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Llandudno
Pontypridd United
The New Saints
Wrexham

We have already covered Llandudno’s astonishing 2-1 win at current Adran Premier champions Swansea City, so now let’s focus on Nomads’ 3-2 triumph at Barry Town United and Wrexham’s 7-1 caning of Abergavenny.

REPORTS

Barry Town United 2 (Olden 29, Pearce 35)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3 (Hamer 16, K Jones 62, Kural pen 69)

Taking on a Barry side sitting one off the bottom of the Adran Premier having lost five of their last six matches, the Nomads could make a long trip to South Wales with a fair amount of confidence that they could give a good account of themselves.

However, facing a higher league opponent, especially away from home, is always a tough test so the Deesiders knew they would need to play very well to get a result.

What occurred was a performance of outstanding character from the Genero Adran North visitors, who fought back from 2-1 down at half time to win the tie.

Nomads took a 16th minute lead when Kirstie Kural laid the ball off to Tamara Hamer, whose first-time effort curled home beyond keeper Erin Brennan.

Barry, who have some amazing young talent in their ranks, equalised on 29 minutes through teenager Mackenzie Olden.

In the 33rd minute it was 2-1 to the Jenner Park side when highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder Manon Pearce, a Wales Under-17 cap, finished well.

Jennifer Haynes found the net for the visitors prior to the break but was ruled offside.

Into the second half and Emily Bentley was denied by a great Brennan save before Kylie Jones turned the ball home from a Kural corner to make it two-apiece on 62 minutes.

And the Quay clinched a memorable win when Kural converted a 70th minute penalty awarded for handball.

To make matters worse, Barry had Delia Ebbin sent off fhree minutes from time for a second yellow and after the final whistle another home player, Taite Trivett, was shown a red card.

Wrexham 7 (Hughes 26, 39, 63, 64, 69 pen & 78; Lightfoot 45+1)
Abergavenny 1 (Sherrard 66)

Ruthless Rosie Hughes netted a double hat-trick as Wrexham sent Adran Premier side Abergavenny tumbling out of the Adran Trophy on a muddy afternoon at Rhos Aelwyd’s Ponciau Park.

Hughes boosted her goals total for the season to 21 as she took higher level opponents – admittedly bottom of the league with nine straight losses – apart to prove once again what a tremendous talent she is.

The 26-year-old phenomenon returned to the starting line-up after the team scored nine in her absence last weekend, and ensured the Dragons made it nine wins from as many matches across all competitions this term, form which sees them occupy top spot in tier 2 Genero Adran North.

The first 25 minutes at Ponciau Park were quite even, but then Wrexham made the breakthrough.

Rebecca Pritchard’s through ball released Hughes, who coolly finished into the bottom corner.

Hughes doubled the lead on 39 minutes, Amber Lightfoot with the assist.

The unstoppable Hughes struck the post before the hosts hit their third on the stroke of half-time. Hughes was this time the provider, Lightfoot with the finish.

After the break, Libby Mackenzie crashed a shot off the underside of the bar before Lightfoot set up Hughes to complete her hat-trick.

Hughes had another just a minute later, this time running onto TJ Dickens’ pass to make it 5-0.

Abergavenny pulled one back on 65 minutes through Mia Sherrard, but Hughes won and converted a penalty moments later to restore the five-goal lead.

And Rosie made it six by beating the goalkeeper to Lightfoot’s low cross on 78 minutes and finding the net again.