Connah’s Quay Nomads manager Jordan Parry is delighted with double-win response to Welsh Cup defeat

Seven days after exiting the Welsh Cup on penalties at Llandudno, Connah’s Quay Nomads had bounced back with two superb victories.

In midweek, Jordan Parry’s side edged a 1-0 win at CPDM Y Felinheli thanks to an added time decider from Phoebe Ellis which earned three crucial league points.

Then on Sunday, Nomads exacted sweet revenge on Tudno with a resounding 5-0 victory in the NEWFA Challenge Cup at Go Goodwins Stadium.

That made it 12 wins in their last 13 matches for the Quay, who are aiming to win the NEWFA Cup for a fourth successive time.

Nomads were outstanding at Tudno, goals from Phoebe Ellis, Polly Wild McGregor (2), Melanie Barlow and Alisha Whitehead-Hughes amounting to one of the team’s best performances under Parry’s leadership.

After the game, Grassroots North Wales asked chief Parry how he felt the game went.

“We had an exceptional performance yesterday and dominated for the vast majority of the game,” he said.

“On any other day it could have been double figures with our final third entries, We just lacked composure in the final third at times but a real positive performance for this young team of ours.

“It was a great feeling, especially after the week before (Welsh Cup), To go down 2-0 to the champions brings its challenges. We remained calm, stuck to the game plan with a few changes and it came to fruition a few minutes into the second half.

“To go and show a reaction straight away shows that the group have a “never give in” attitude.

“Resilience from young players can never go under appreciated and that was the biggest outcome of the day.”
In the end, however, Nomads went out of the cup on spot-kicks. Parry was asked how he felt about the end result.

“We felt really had done by, especially when a penalty was given (for a challenge) outside of the box which the VEO recorded. So to win Sunday comfortably made the group believe in themselves once again.”

And what about the form of captain Polly Wild-McGregor, one of a number of young talents really coming to the fore this season?

The manager said: “Polly is Polly. Just head down, get on with the game, lead the group by example. I can’t ask much more of her currently. She’s a special person and I’m extremely proud of the player she’s become, let alone captain.”

Nomads have added a few new players to the squad this season, with others having left the club during the summer. Parry was asked how the new recruits such as Keira Hardstaff, Anna Marsh, Natasha Spearing, Nicole Samson and Melanie Barlow are settling.

“We’ve not gone away from what we believe in. In regards to recruitment, you have to meet certain criteria to sign, All players who have signed have integrated so well and like they’ve been here for a long time “

League points are also vital, with Nomads wanting to push for their first Tier 2 title this season. Parry was delighted to pick up maximum spoils at Felinheli last Wednesday.

“Anyone in this league will tell you going away to Felinhelli always poses its challenges, With 11 behind the ball we just knew we had to be patient, Again though a true test for our players’ character of never giving up and wanting to win football games and a last minute winner was more than what we deserved after dominating in and out of possession.”