This Sunday (December 19), The New Saints FC Women hosts Connah’s Quay Nomads Women in cup competition.
Below, ahead of online match day programme publication, is Andy Williams’ column.
Croeso and Welcome to Park Hall for our final first team fixture of 2021, this Adran Trophy tie against Connah’s Quay Nomads. As always, I extend a very warm welcome to our visitors, and their manager Jordan Parry, and of course returning former player Francesca Scott.
Both sides last met during pre-season in what was a keenly contested and close encounter. It follows as no surprise to me seeing how well The Nomads have faired with their season so far, as they currently sit top of the Genero Adran North.
It is likely both sides will be very much changed from that late August fixture, however we are nevertheless expecting another competitive game against a well organise and free scoring side. We know there will be no Christmas presents on offer from our opponents today and that any presents we can get our hands on will be of our making.
We arrive for today’s game buoyed by an excellent performance against league leaders Swansea at Llandarcy last weekend. I was delighted with the collective spirit that the players showed when going a goal behind so early. To recover so quickly and in the manner that we did proves how far we have come this season as a group and as a team.
If my players are reading this … top of my Christmas wish list this year is another good performance today and our name in the hat for the next round!
Christmas and New Year is traditionally a time to give thanks, to reflect, and to look forward. Having the opportunity of playing football safely again during COVID times, and significantly the opportunity of welcoming women’s Welsh National League football to Park Hall has been incredible and something we are all thankful for.
The manner in which our players have set out embracing the level of competition, and the challenges set by our opponents, with such passion and stickability has been truly phenomenal and worthy of recognition.
We have learnt a great deal from the experience and are much better people as a result; thus we hope to use these gained experiences to our advantage during the second half of the season.
There is much hope and optimism as we move into 2022, not just for the first team, but for the Women’s and Girls’ Programme as a whole, and of course all at The New Saints especially the men’s first team led by Anthony Limbrick. With your continued support, and the full backing of Mike Harris and the football club, we will continue to push the boundaries whilst championing female football.
On behalf of the team, it just remains for me to wish all of our supporters and everyone at TNS a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year; we hope that you are able to catch up with your loved ones to enjoy the festivities. Thank you for your continued support during 2021 and we look forward to seeing you again early in the New Year.
Stay safe. Diolch and Nadolig Llawen!
Andy Williams
