Connah’s Quay’s Meg Robinson wants her side to achieve their aim of getting promoted this season.
The Nomads currently find themselves in second place in the Adran North, and Robinson says the side can book their place in the Adran Premier come the end of the season.
‘Our aim at the start of this season was to pretty much win everything we were entered into.
‘Unfortunately, not every result goes our way. So now our main priority is the league, to go on and win it and then go into the Adran Prem’
Two points separate Wrexham and Connah’s Quay at the top of the table, with neither side having played each other so far.
While acknowledging the strength of the Red Dragons, Robinson says her team can come out on top.
‘We’re expecting a tough battle. They are a very good side’
‘I’ve watched Wrexham a few times and they play good football, they’ve got good players, so I can expect the game to be a juicy one let’s say that. A few tackles flying in for sure’
‘Everybody knows they’ve got the best centre forward in the league … I’ve watched her plenty of times, I know what she’s about so hopefully we can keep her out and go and win the game.’
Connah’s Quay and Wrexham have only played five games in the league so far this season.
The Adran North consists of seven sides, while the Adran South has five teams.
There have been calls for a change in the league structures below the Adran Premier, and Robinson is in favour of an adjustment.
‘I wish that our league and the league below were merged’
‘It’s one of them, you want more teams in the league because, in my opinion, it makes it better’
‘It fills the season out and you get experience of playing on different pitches, playing against different sides and their tactics, but at the moment we’re playing the same teams repetitively.’
The Nomads also have the challenge of their location.
A problem for clubs in north and west Wales has been recruitment and retention of players. Robinson explained the difficulty some sides face.
‘The clubs you can go to are limited. For me, I couldn’t imagine leaving the club and go to Wrexham or Llandudno, but to stay in this league and at this level, they would be my only two options’
‘Therefore, if I wanted to leave, I’d have to go down, which is not a progression. But if I wanted to go up, where are most of the Adran Prem sides? They’re down south’
‘It is hard and getting players in that can compete against Cardiff, Swansea up north is difficult. But it is what it is.’
One of the players that has shined for the club this season is Kirstie Kural.
Kural has five goals and two assists in the league so far, and Robinson is delighted with how her captain is playing.
‘As a footballer she’s outstanding. She’s brilliant on the ball, she can pick a pass and she can shoot. What more can you say about her?’
‘She scores goals and she demands from the team which is a good thing, she constantly wants the ball’
And if Kural for some reason doesn’t perform, there’s a wealth of youngsters behind her who are ready to step up.
‘We have a U19s team, and they train with us on a Thursday. So, they’re constantly competing against the senior places, and it means we have a very competitive team which I like. It encourages every player to be better’
‘We have a good setup, the players are filtering through, they engage well with the girls, they’re learning from the older players and they don’t sit back and think because they’re young they don’t need to get involved.’
Connah’s Quay also reached the quarter final of the Adran Trophy but lost to Cardiff Met over the weekend.
While the result isn’t what they wanted, Robinson reflected on what was a good experience for the team.
‘Personally, playing against a team like Met is massive and I feel like it was for the girls as well’
‘Travelling to Cardiff the night before and getting that whole match weekend experience was vital for us if that’s what we’re pushing for next season’
‘Met were brilliant, they play good football, yes the result was disappointing, but the whole experience was brilliant for us.’
Former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had a famous saying, ‘just win’, and that’s the exact mantra of this Nomads team as they look towards the end of the season.
‘Winning the remainder of our games, winning the remaining trophies that our available to us and absolutely 100% win the league’
‘We set out this season with a goal to win and that’s what we’re aiming to do.’
Connah’s Quay will next be in action on Sunday, as they take on Rhyl in the Adran North at the Deeside Stadium.
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