REPORT: Champions Nomads and Tier 2 newcomers Foresters play out stalemate at Deeside Stadium

GENERO ADRAN NORTH – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

Connah’s Quay Nomads 0 Wrexham Foresters 0

Nomads discovered that Wrexham Foresters could become a chief threat to their dream of landing a third consecutive league title at Deeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Had it not been for some heroics from home keeper Faye Moseley, the champions’ unbeaten run in Adran North may have come to an end at game number 30.

However, as it is, Andy Griffiths’ team stayed undefeated in league combat since March 2024, with 27 wins and three 0-0 draws on their slate after that 2-1 loss at the now-disbanded Rhyl 1879 Women.

Sunday brought a second meeting of the season between Foresters and Nomads. The previous clash in the Genero Adran Trophy on September 6 finished 5-1 to the Quay.

The return, a first league game of 2026-27 for both these sides, was always destined to be much closer.

Both line-ups featured a number of new faces compared to teams they regularly fielded last season.

The nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first half saw a 30-yard effort from Nomads’ Renee Day strike the crossbar.

At the other end, Moseley produced fine stops to deny Evie Wigley and ex-Nomads player-manager Kirstie Kural.

The hosts looked unfortunate not to win a penalty for what appeared to be a handball from a corner, but the referee saw no offence.

Keepers were on top in the second half, Chloe Ankers foiling Nomads striker Rosie Hughes, while Moseley performed marvels to keep out an Anna Thomas header.

In the end, 0-0 was just about a fair result. Both sides could feel fairly satisfied with the outcome,

Nomads assistant-manager Aimee Redfern commented after the game: “I think today was a game of two halves with us being the team on top in the first half.

“Renee hit the crossbar from around 30 yards out and we had a clear cut handball from a corner which stopped a goal and should’ve been a penalty. I was standing about 20cm from it, but the ref said he couldn’t see because of the bodies.

“In the second half they (Foresters) grew into it and were the better team with us getting exposed in the midfield. Faye pulled off 3 unbelievable saves to keep us in it and I would say a point is a fair result on the day.”

NOMADS

Faye Moseley, Tia Lockley, Seren Cashen, Renee Day (Libby Mackenzie 61), Sienna Perry (Non Williams 67), Phoebe Ellis, Rosie Hughes, Aimee Redfern, Hannah Slack, Anna Marsh (Lexi Walsh 84). Hallie Billingsley (Mae Hodgers 46). 

FORESTERS

Chloe Ankers, Keri Sampson, Jessica Sayers, Evie Wigley (Ffion Davies 84), Laura Evans (c – Tania Pryor 89), Ruby Smith, Madison Miles, Mia Thomas, Rebecca Sheel, Anna Thomas, Kirstie Kural. Unused subs: Isabella Nardo, Ella Eynon.

ATTENDANCE: 124