Genero Adran North: Was this CPD Y Rhyl 1879 women’s best-ever result?

Genero Adran North – March 10, 2024

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2 (Davies 2, Bannister 21)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Bathily 24)

What a day for Rhyl 1879!

In two previous meetings with Connah’s Quay this season, the Lilywhites had lost 8-0 and 8-1 seven days apart, but Sunday saw Rhyl exact sweet revenge.

Not only did the hosts lift themselves back up to fourth in Genero Adran North, they also all but ended any lingering hopes Nomads may have had of title success.

And 1879 recorded perhaps their finest win since formation without injured top-scorer Sade Benjamin.

Rhyl started extremely well, putting a lot of pressure on Connah’s Quay in a game which was a great advert for women’s football.

The hosts found themselves getting joy down both flanks through Rosie O’Brien and Llio Davies, who did not stop running for the whole game.

After just two minutes Laura Williams showed her talent with some great footwork which finished with a pass to 18-year-old Davies, who stood strong and turned a defender before placing the ball superbly across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Rhyl continued to apply the pressure, their work rate off the ball was incredible. O’Brien was only denied a second for the hosts by a goal-line clearamce from Mae Hodgers.

Then in the 21st minute, an inswinging corner from Laura Williams was not cleared by the Quay defence and after a scramble in the box Becca Bannister found the back of the net.

Three minutes later, the Deesiders replied when after a great passing move they found themselves through on goal and Anais Bathily finished smartly.

Good action for the rest of the half, but no more goals.

Both teams came out for the second half full of fight although chances were few and far between. Rhyl did not stop until the final whistle.

The back-four battled and challenged everything with Cassie Thomas displaying a player of the match performance with some outstanding tackles.

Quay tested home keeper Lauren Jones, however she pulled off one stunning save from a shot bound for the top corner.

Rhyl skipper Rachael Thomas said: “A great display from everyone at Rhyl today – they showed great character and determination.

“Huge credit to Connah’s Quay, who kept us on our toes until the very last second and continued to play the ball around well and were full of praise for Rhyl on their performance today.”

CPD Y RHYL 1879

Lauren Jones
Saskia Wynne-Thomas
Rosie O’Brien
Cassie Thomas
Hana Eagles
Becca Bannister (c)
Laura Williams
Chelsea Evans (Imogen Williams 62)
Alicia Duke
Chloe Evans
Llio Davies

CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS

Mollie France
Mae Hodgers
Aimee Redfern
Evie Chard
Emily Luke
Ella Harvey (Megan Andrews 66)
Kylie Jones (c)
Anais Bathily (Alisha Whitehead-Hughes 46)
Alisha Wright (Elana Harley 66)
Sophie Rawling
Polly Wild-McGregor