Connah’s Quay Nomads got off to a flying start in the JD Welsh Premier League 2018/19 on Sunday afternoon, defeating Llanelli by seven goals to nil.
The game was highly anticipated as the start of The Nomads’ domestic season, despite the side having played for much of July due to involvement in the Europa League qualifying round one.
It was likewise a big occasion for Llanelli as they made their return to the top flight after a five year absence. The Nomads returned to Stebonheath Park for the first time since February 2013, when they won 1-0 in a league game.
Andy Morrison started a side including new signings Michael Parker, Danny Holmes and Laurence Wilson, who all made their JD Welsh Premier debuts with the club.
Llanelli manager Andy Hill started forwards Jordan Follows, James Loveridge and captain Joe Clark.
The Nomads’ attacking prowess was shown just two minutes into proceedings, when after a free kick from Loveridge hit the wall, Wignall broke into the Llanelli area to cause issues for the home side - his work led to Danny Holmes receiving the ball on the right wing, but his cross just evaded Wilde in the area.
Wilde soon corrected this in the sixth minute, rising highest in the Llanelli area to head in off the crossbar from a Michael Bakare cross.
Bakare then got in on the action himself, with help from trickery via Wignall who cut into the Llanelli area from the left before crossing from the right, allowing Bakare to head home from close range.
???? PHOTOS: It's all about the Michael's at the moment... Wilde and Bakare with two headers to give The Nomads a 2-0 lead after 27 minutes here at Stebonheath #JDWPL @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/lO70yeYPY3
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 12 August 2018
Although The Nomads were in a commanding lead and looked dangerous on each attack, Llanelli did have chances, with Laurence Wilson making a vital clearance on 19 minutes, near John Danby’s left post, he cleared the ball to deny Follows having a clear effort on goal from seven yards.
In the 24th minute, Declan Poole got himself on the scoresheet. After a Bakare cross fell to him in the area, he sent a powerful effort in from the edge of the box with the shot taking a deflection off a defender on the way in.
???? PHOTOS: Declan Poole strikes from the edge of the box to give The Nomads a three goal lead #JDWPL @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/1BYk4IHT23
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 12 August 2018
The Nomads’ fourth wasn’t to come until the second half, but they did have chances to extend their lead earlier with Bakare breaking through on goal only for play to be stopped for an injury.
In the 42nd minute Michael Bakare nearly found Wignall unchallenged in the Llanelli area, but keeper Oliver Davies came off his line to sweep the ball from The Nomads’ winger just in time.
The second half saw The Nomads continue their dominance to seal one of their highest ever victories in the JD Welsh Premier League.
After Rob Hughes came off for Nathan Woolfe, The Nomads persisted in front of the Reds’ goal and made it 4-0 on 57 minutes.
From a Laurence Wilson cross, Wignall drove an effort towards the bottom right of the goal with his effort taking a touch off an unfortunate defender.
It took just five minutes for Nomads to get their fifth, following the substitution of Michael Wilde who came off for Andy Owens.
Owens played a big part in making it 5-0, using his strength and height to cause confusion in the Llanelli area from a Wignall cross, with Michael Parker striking from point-blanc to open his Nomads account.
???? PHOTO: Ryan Wignall and Michael Parker add to the scoreline here in South Wales #JDWPL @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/Sk8LSdWYDC
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 12 August 2018
On 65 minutes, a rare-headed brace from Bakare saw the scoreline rise to 6-0. After Wignall went to byline and crossed, he connected with the ball perfectly, with Nomads’ offensive play showing no signs of letting up with 25 minutes to play.
This was personified when centre back and captain George Horan departed, with skilled midfielder Jay Owen replacing him in The Nomads’ third and final substitution.
???? PHOTOS: Just look at what it means to Michael Bakare as he gets his second of the day! #JDWPL @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/kD5B2CkXj7
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 12 August 2018
For the final 15 minutes of the game, Andy Owens was leading the line and looking to add to The Nomads’ tally.
He went agonisingly close on 75 minutes, winning an aerial challenge with 'keeper Davies who was off his line, but a defender to his right made a vital challenge to deny him.
After both Michael Bakare and Declan Poole were found offside, it looked like The Nomads’ luck had ran out for the day, but in the last kick of the game on 92 minutes, Laurence Wilson made it 7-0 with a well taken strike from 12 yards out.
The result made history as Nomads’ biggest ever win under Andy Morrison, and goes down as one of their highest-scoring victories having beaten Afan Lido 8-1 in 2014, and Cemaes Bay 10-0 in 1998.
The Nomads now move onto a significant clash against league champions and rivals The New Saints FC next Sunday 19 August, for a 4pm kick off at Deeside.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Sunday 12th August 2018
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Venue: Stebonheath Park, Llanelli
Attendance: 323
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