Connah’s Quay shock Barry Town to reach Adran Trophy quarter-finals

Connah’s Quay Nomads stunned Adran Premier side Barry Town United with a 3-2 win and advance to the next round of the Adran Trophy.

In an incredibly physical game, the vistors went ahead through Tamara Hamer, only for two quick goals from Mackenzie Olden and Manon Pearce to swing the back in favour of the south coast side.

But the pendulum swung back in favour of the Adran North side in the second half, with goals from Kylie Jones and a Kirstie Kural penalty sealing the win and their spot in the quarter finals.

The opening ten minutes detailed how both sides would play. Barry having great combination play in the midfield and finding gaps in the defence. The Nomads wanting to find the flanks and attack, but it was a sluggish opening from the visitors.

Therefore, it came as a surprise when Connah’s Quay took the lead. Kirstie Kural laying it off to Tamara Hamer. She tried a speculative shot from distance, and somehow, it looped over Erin Brennan and into the net, and the Adran North side were ahead.

Barry were dealt a further blow when Hana Bennett was forced off with an ankle injury after a tackle from Llinos Hughes.

However, the injury sparked the hosts into life, and they equalised from the resulting free kick. Holly Jenkins drilled it into the area and found an on running Mackenzie Olden, who prodded the ball past Grace Murphy.

The Adran Prem side were ahead seven minutes later. Taite Trivett set off down the wing and made a blistering run, before putting the ball into the box. Olden’s initial shot was blocked, but the ball rebounded to Manon Pearce, and she curled it into the bottom corner.

Connah’s Quay looked slightly shell shocked after the goal and half time came at a good time for them. They needed a different plan heading into the second half.

And that plan was to use their pace to get in behind.

Twice Emily Bentley got in behind, but the first time Brennan produced a tremendous diving save, and the second, after Bentley had rounded Brennan, Delia Ebbin produced a sensational block to deny the goal.

But they weren’t to be denied longer and found their equaliser on the hour mark. Again, Kural set it up with a good corner, and Kylie Jones leaped highest and powered the ball into the net.

Their comeback was complete ten minutes later. A free kick into the box and Ebbin punched the ball up, leaving the referee with no option but to award the penalty. Kural stepped up and fired the ball over Brennan to send Nomads players and fans into delirium.

The game was becoming very scrappy, with challenges coming in from both sides, but this was suiting Connah’s Quay down to the ground.

Barry pushed for yet another leveller, and some great one touch play around the area let Olden through and she delivered a great cross, but no player in yellow was there to tap home.

Their task was made harder when Ebbin was given a second yellow card for a tackle. There were no complaints from fans or players over the red card.

And 3-2 is how it finished. Trivett was sent off after the final whistle for an altercation with a Nomads player, but it was too little too late for the Town.

Both sides return to league commitments next. Barry host Swansea City next Sunday, while the Nomads travel to Llandudno on December 4^th.

Player of the Match: Kirstie Kural

A stunning performance from the Nomads captain. Not only involved in all the goals, but she was everywhere. When she needed to defend, she did. When she needed to run in the channels, she did. Superb display

Barry Town United

Erin Brennan (GK), Lauren Harris ©, Holly Jenkins, Delia Ebbin, Hana Bennett (Faith Mulenga, 27’), Taite Trivett (Nia Davies, 90’), Anna Houghton, Mackenzie Olden, Manon Pearce, Ruby Hamed-Jones (Emily Nicholson, 70’), Maisy Fahey-Pennell

Unused Subs: Hazel Lockwood-Jones, Rhian Thomas

Goals: Mackenzie Olden (27’), Manon Pearce (34’)

Yellow Cards: Mackenzie Olden (65’), Anna Houghton (68’), Delia Ebbin (69’, 87’), Emily Nicholson (79’)

Red Cards: Delia Ebbin (87’), Taite Trivett (90’)

Connah’s Quay Nomads

Grace Murphy (GK), Aimee Hopkinson (Emily Bentley, 18’), Llinos Hughes, Emily Luke, Tamara Hamer, Ella Harvey, Meg Andrews, Kylie Jones, Kirstie Kural ©, Amber Bailey, Jennifer Haynes (Sienna Strapp, 60’)

Unused Subs: Elana Harley, Polly Wild-McGregor, Megan Robinson

Goals: Tamara Hamer (15’), Kylie Jones (60’), Kirstie Kural (69’, p)

Yellow Cards: Llinos Hughes (24’), Kylie Jones (72’)