Adran North: Bangor win high praise for running Nomads so close

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – MARCH 17

Connah’s Quay Nomads 3 (Harley 7, Bathily 75, Rawling 81)
CPDM Bangor 2 (C Macdonald pen 70, Evans 90+2)

Bangor manager Aron Griffith was full of praise after his team pushed second-place Connah’s Quay all the way at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium in Broughton.

Quay’s title bid completely collapsed the previous weekend after a 2-1 loss at Rhyl 1879, so they were out to restore some pride against a Bangor outfit which had lost five matches in a row.

Elana Harley gave Nomads a seventh-minute lead from an Alisha Whitehead-Hughes assist, but there was no further score before half time.

The scoreline did not change until the 70th minute when Cerys Macdonald equalised from the penalty spot.

Anais Bathily restored the home lead on 75 via a Megan Andrews assist, then Bangor’s Cara Aston was shown a straight red card for alleged violent conduct.

Wales international Sophie Rawling put Nomads 3-1 up before Menna Evans pulled one back for the visitors with 92 minutes on the clock.

Bangor manager Griffith said: “100% better than last week’s performance. We wanted to try and make a statement today and nearly did, the girls worked their socks off in the second half. Even when we were down to 10, we still powered on.

“I’d like to see that type of performance in our last 2 matches of the season, to show how far we have come. Heads are truly held up high against tier 1 applicants Connah’s Quay, mega proud of their shift today and it all comes down to effort off the ball in matches, brilliant.”