Saved by the Bell! Heartbreak for Nomads as Met keeper makes two crucial stops in penalty shoot-out victory

GENERO ADRAN LEAGUE PROMOTION PLAY-OFF

Cardiff Met 1 (Mulenga 89)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Slack 21)

Warning: Quip with touch of 1970s pop approaching to lighten the mood….

He can see clearly now the Adran Prem – Cardiff Met manager Johnny Nash won’t be shedding tears on his pillow tonight.

The capital side needed an 89th minute equaliser from Faith Mulenga to force a penalty shoot-out which they won to end the promotion dreams of Connah’s Quay Nomads for another season.

Jordan Parry’s side looked set for top-flight football after Hannah Slack’s 21st minute goal gave them a lead they had done so well to protect – but there was a twist in the tale.

Last season, the back-to-back undefeated Adran North champions led 2-0 at half time of their promotion play-against Pontypridd United, only to lose 3-2.

Sunday’s loss at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, was arguably more heartbreaking with Quay just a minute plus added time away from going up, and then seeing their opponents miss the opening spot-kick of the shoot-out only to fail twice themselves.

With last season’s two leading scorers, Ella Jones and Polly Wild-McGregor both missing, it promised to be an uphill task for the North Walians against the Adran South champions, but truthfully, after scoring first they never looked like conceding until Mulenga struck.

The Nomads back-line was totally awesome, as it had been all season, with Evie Chard and Megan Andrews especially outstanding.

Met shaded the first 20 minutes, but against the run of play the Deesiders snatched the lead with 21 on the clock.

With Nomads playing the high press well, Met defender Casey Brant was hassled out of possession by Slack, who applied a neat finish.

Slack was proving a real problem for the Cardiff rearguard. On the half-hour, she nipped in ahead of four defenders to reach the ball first, but her effort rolled wide.

Half time it was 1-0 to Nomads and the northerners looked comfortable. with that defence impenetrable. However, last season they were in a better position at halfway only to miss out in the end. Confidence but caution was the message for the second half.

The Quay began the second half tidily, Mel Barlow trying an ambitious effort from 40 yards which keeper Violet Bell held.

Met had a chance when Summer Kilby turned smartly in the box but sliced over the bar.

Slack was never idle, her 82nd minute again testing Bell.

With Nomads defending superbly, there looked to be no way back for Met, but to their credit the students were pressing and finally got rewarded in the 89th minute.

The excellent Mulenga cut in from the left and sent a looping strike – cross or shot? – over the outstretched keeper Ruby Stevens for 1-1.

Met now had the impetus, Esme Kilburn-Thompson and sub Hannah Rayner having late chances to win it, but the final whistle blew and as per the rules, it went straight to penalties.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

• Dream start for Nomads – Kilburn-Thompson blasts over the bar 0-0
  

• Barlow converts coolly for the Quay – 1-0 Nomads
  

• Mulenga lofts a beautiful effort high into the net 1-1
  

• Phoebe Ellis’ low strike is brilliantly saved by Bell 1-1
  

• North Wales girl Anna Houghton makes it 2-1 Met
  

• Megan Galeandro slots nicely into the side-net for 2-2
  

• Experienced sub Kennesha Nanette makes no mistake – 3-2 Met
  

• Alisha Whitehead-Hughes’ pen is kept out by Bell – 3-2 Met
  

• Never in doubt – captain Olivia Barnes converts to win the game for Met 4-2 on penalties

CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS

Ruby Stevens, Megan Andrews, Mae Hodgers, Evie Chard, Tia Lockley, Elana Harley (c), Phoebe Ellis, Natasha Spearing, Hannah Slack (Megan Galeandro 89), Anna Marsh (Alisha Whitehead-Hughes 56), Melanie Barlow. Unused subs: Aimee Redfern, Haliie Billingsley, Lexi Walsh.

CARDIFF MET

Violet Bell, Faith Mulenga, Celyn Garton, Olivia Jones, Casey Brant (Hannah Rayner 46), Olivia Barnes (c), Anna Houghton, Megan Gladwyn (Demi Parry 88), Esme Kilburn-Thompson, Summer Kilby (Millie Pearce), Molly Chapman (Kennesha Nanette 83) Unused subs: Scarlett Davies.

ATTENDANCE: 194 (woeful for a game of this nature between two fine sides)