Connah’s Quay Nomads became the second ever Welsh club to win in Scotland on Saturday afternoon, beating Scottish Championship side Falkirk in the Irn Bru Cup second round.
The game saw Nomads turn their attentions away from their JD Welsh Premier League campaign, in which they have won three and lost one.
They were entering the Irn Bru Cup for the second consecutive time, having been eliminated in their entry round last season by Dumbarton FC, who claimed a 2-1 extra time victory.
This year, their opponents were Falkirk FC, who came into the game sitting at the bottom of the Scottish Championship, with newly appointed manager Ray Mckinnon taking charge for the first time.
Andy Morrison handed a club debut to forward Jack Kenny, with new signing Craig Jones retaining his position in the starting eleven.
McKinnon named a strong side as Falkirk searched for a win to kick-start their season, with Dimitris Froxylias, who scored the winning free kick against Nomads as a Dumbarton player in September 2017, named on the bench.
Here is our official team sheet - this afternoon’s officials come from the English system. #IRNBRUCUP pic.twitter.com/364vsqM69t
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 8 September 2018
The game started and Falkirk immediately populated the Nomads’ half, but Nomads produced a good goal scoring opportunity after just four minutes, when after a long throw in into the Falkirk area from Michael Parker, Declan Poole sent a shot just wide.
Falkirk hit back, with Deimantas Petravicius sending a lob effort wide on nine minutes, as Falkirk made threatening runs down the wing through the likes of Dennon Lewis.
After the opening ten minutes, the game’s intensity lulled as both sides looked to find a way past each other’s well drilled defences.
Craig Jones sent a good cross into the Falkirk area on 22 minutes, but the Bairns replied with a counter attack which was halted by a challenge from Jonny Spittle.
Three minutes later, Michael Wilde got within 18 yards of the hosts’ goal and flicked the ball up to turn and volley, but his effort went over for a goal kick.
One of Nomads’ best chances of the half came in the 35th minute, when a floating cross from Jones was headed just over by Wilde.
???? #IRNBRUCUP PHOTOS
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 8 September 2018
Early action from Falkirk Stadium as the scores remain level here@irnbrufootball @spfl @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/n0FDMKtJ1q
As half time drew closer, Declan Poole got to the byline of the Falkirk half, sending a pass across the Falkirk area with no red shirt there to convert.
When English referee Danny Middleton signalled for half time, both sides went in after a battling first 45 minutes in which either could have found the opening goal.
The breakthrough did come just one minute into the second half, when Nomads were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Craig Jones swung the set piece into the area, where Michael Wilde connected with a diving header sending the ball past the left of goalkeeper Leonardo Fasan.
???? #IRNBRUCUP PHOTOS
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 8 September 2018
Michael Wilde heads The Nomads in front with just a minute of the second half played@irnbrufootball @spfl @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/6FFjmF8qaN
Falkirk replied to the opener with a great amount of possession in the visiting Welshmen’s half, but John Danby was seldom threatened in goal.
Connah’s Quay’s defensive organisation paid dividends, with Craig Jones and Jonny Spittle making vital tackles to keep the Bairns at bay.
In the 64th minute both sides rung changes, with Jack Kenny departing for Ryan Wignall and Falkirk bringing on Froxylias and Cieran Dunne.
Frustrations began to show at the Falkirk Stadium, with two scuffles between the sides breaking out in the space of two minutes, seeing Ryan Wignall and John Disney both shown yellow cards.
Falkirk continued to pile the pressure on Nomads, with John Danby getting a hand to a cross, denying a Bairns’ forward a clear chance on goal on 75 minutes.
The home side forced a series of corners as the time began to run out, but Nomads continued to show their professionalism with vital clearances being made from the likes of Harrison and Spittle.
Nomads won a corner of their own in the 80th minute, with Wilde sending Craig Jones’ delivery way over the goal.
In the 83rd minute it was a case of déjà vu for Nomads, as Froxylias stepped up to take a free kick just 25 yards from the Nomads’ goal. This time round, the shot was well dealt with by John Danby who caught the kick.
The final few minutes of normal time were end to end, as Nomads looked to run the clock down and Falkirk pushed for an equaliser.
In the 89th minute Jay Owen had a shot blocked from a corner, and then successfully defended a Bairns’ corner with a headed clearance.
In additional time, Nomads continued to halt Falkirk’s search for an equaliser, with Declan Poole making a clearance before Danby collected a high ball into his six yard area on 92 minutes.
The home side were handed a last chance in the 93rd minute when they were awarded a free kick, which was met with a decisive clearance from Nomads.
After around five minutes of additional time, the referee signalled for full time to confirm a famous win for Connah’s Quay’s history books.
The victory seals their first ever win in the Irn Bru Cup and Scotland, and places them in the third round draw, which will commence on Tuesday 11th September.
Diolch yn fawr @FalkirkFC #IrnBruCup @irnbrufootball @spfl @WPL_Official pic.twitter.com/BKeT71FysI
— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 8 September 2018
Andy Morrison’s side now move onto a busy week of JD Welsh Premier League action, welcoming Caernarfon Town and Newtown to Deeside on the 11th and 14th September respectively. Both games kick off at 7:45pm.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Saturday 8th September 2018
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Venue: Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
Attendance: 1637
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