Nomads back on top with classy victory over Llandudno

Sunday afternoon saw The Nomads return to the Genero Adran North summit with a 2-0 victory over Llandudno at Treborth Playing Fields.

The Adran North’s top two produced a very tactical battle in a vital fixture for both sides with eventual winners The Nomads going three points clear of Llandudno. Phoebe Ellis found the breakthrough with a stunning strike from 25 yards out which flew over Dudno keeper Meg Robinson. With the hosts pressing for a late equaliser, Nomads found their second through Shannon Hobbs on the counter attack. The No.10 fired home the rebound after Elana Harley’s initial effort was saved to seal victory and send Nomads back to the top of the table.

It was certainly a tale of two halves as Llandudno threatened for the majority of the first half. Nomads nearly took the lead as Shannon Hobbs’ strike smashed the post just minutes before Dudno hit the woodwork themselves through Stacey Tradewell. After Nomads went ahead through Phoebe Ellis, it was a nervy end to the match as Nomads did all they can to defend a series of Dudno crosses and set pieces when eventually Shannon Hobbs put the game to bed on the counter attack.

Form
The Nomads came into this game as the free-flowing, high scoring team that we have seen them be for the past few seasons now. A 100% start to both the Adran North and Adran Trophy has provided manager Jordan Parry with a number of positives. A first loss of the season to Adran Premier outlet TNS in the Welsh Cup required a perfect response against Llanfair in the final Adran Trophy group stage fixture. At times, The Nomads were wasteful but got the job done thanks to goals from Alisha Wright, Anais Bathily and Amber Bailey.

Jordan Hadaway’s Llandudno side are undoubtedly one of the favourites to challenge for this season’s Adran North title and just like The Nomads, they have a 100% start to the league campaign with their recent performances being inspired by forward Stevie Donougher. Last weekend, Donougher netted a staggering six goals in a 9-2 victory over Airbus in the Adran Trophy. Before today, Dudno sat above Nomads at the top of the league with a higher goal difference.

Team News
Jordan Parry knew he had to have his best eleven on the field if his side were going to overcome Llandudno away from home. There were six changes to the side that beat Llanfair last time out including an entire new front three as Shannon Hobbs, Polly Wild-McGregor and Phoebe Ellis returned to the side with Sophie Hodson, Anais Bathily and Alisha Wright dropping to the bench. Mel Barlow sat in midfield, Ella Harvey started in defence and Molly France returned in between the sticks. 16 year-old Mae Hodgers found herself named in the senior matchday squad for the first time after she recently celebrated her birthday, meaning she could compete in first team football in the Adran Leagues.

As for Llandudno, there were just the two changes to report as Stacey Tradewell and Rebecca Jarvis-Evans came into the side to replace Catherine Jones and Cara Hughes, who were both named on the bench. Former Nomads goalkeeper and two time NEWFA Cup winner Meg Robinson started for the hosts after signing for them in the summer.

The First Half
The first half didn't start the way The Nomads would have liked as they were forced into an early substitution. An injury to Polly Wild-McGregor, who had only just come back from a spell on the sidelines, went to ground and was unable to continue. She was replaced by Sophie Hodson.

Stacey Tradewell had a couple of early efforts which flew wide of the target before Nomads went extremely close to taking the lead through Mel Barlow. Shannon Hobbs’ inswining corner found the head of Mel Barlow whose header forced Meg Robinson into her first save of the match.

Dudno wasted a glorious opportunity midway through the first half and should have gone ahead. A passing move from left to right eventually found Maddie Williams who only had Molly France to beat but the goalkeeper made herself big to deny the Dudno No.7 from point blank range.

Full of energy after coming as a sub, Sophie Hodson nearly found her reward with a close effort on target. Hobbs sprinted through the middle before slipping in Hodson, the ball was just behind the substitute but she was able to get her shot off at the near post which saw Robinson make another fine save.

Shannon Hobbs struck the woodwork five minutes before the interval as Phoebe Ellis’ long ball over the top was chased down by a pacy Hobbs who looked to lift the ball over Robinson, the striker thought she had put Nomads ahead, only for her shot to smash the near post and back into the feet of Llandudno.

Both sides’ quality in the final third showed and it was evident the opening goal was coming in a matter of time. Stacey Tradewell hit the crossbar in the last action of the first half, curling goalwards from Stevie Donougher’s cross with her effort thundering against the upright and out of play.

The Second Half
Jordan Parry turned to his bench before the restart to provide fresh legs up front as Elana Harley replaced Mel Barlow.

Molly France made another huge save at the beginning of the second half to deny a first opportunity for Kelsey Davies.

Davies, who scored twice last weekend against Airbus, went for power from the edge of the box and France had to be alert with the ball bouncing a few times before eventually travelling into the goalkeeper’s arms.

The Nomads hit the front in the 51st minute courtesy of a moment of magic from Phoebe Ellis. The 16 year-old made the most of a fantastic chance after The Nomads intercepted Llandudno in their own half. Ellis took one look up before sending a thunderbolt over Robinson from around 25 yards out for her 12th goal of the season, giving Nomads a priceless lead, which they knew they would have to defend to the best of their abilities.

The Nomads made their second change of the match as 16 year-old defender Mae Hodgers replaced Llinos Hughes for her senior Nomads debut. Hodgers would now face a tense final 20 minutes as Llandudno pressed for a leveller.

The chances were coming thick and fast as Sophie Hodson’s glancing header from Shannon Hobbs’ corner somehow was kept out and cleared off the line by the home side. The Nomads had kept Stevie Donougher quiet all game and the Dudno striker had her first shot of the game from the edge of the box, however Molly France was equal to it to deny her.

Dudno piled on the pressure as we entered injury time but a swift counter attack from Nomads saw Shannon Hobbs wrap up victory with a clinical finish. Elana Harley’s initial effort was saved but the ball fell kindly back to Hobbs, who stayed calm to fire into the bottom corner and secure all three points. It was pure jubilation for The Nomads as players celebrated with Hobbs with management staff also showing their excitement, cheering and fist pumping the air across the touchline.

The Nomads Women return to the top of the Adran North after four wins from four games and move three points clear of Llandudno, who drop to second. There’s still a long way to go but this result could prove to be vital come the end of the season as Nomads set their eye on more silverware.

Next Fixture
The Nomads Women return to action next Sunday with a NEWFA Cup Quarter Final away to NFA. The Nomads will be looking to continue their quest to retain the trophy they have won for the past two seasons. The match will take place at the Ffordd Derwen Playing Fields with a scheduled 2:00pm kick off time.

Date Published: Tuesday, 7th November, 2023 - 9:30am by Adam Angerer