A five-star performance from Connahs Quay Nomads saw them defeat local rivals Airbus UK by five goals to one in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round.
Jack Kenny opened the scoring before Craig Jones, Rob Hughes and Ryan Wignall got on the scoresheet with James Hooper sealing a consolation for Airbus.
Nomads came into the game in rich form, having won their last three Welsh Premier League games with comprehensive wins over Newtown, Llandudno, and Carmarthen Town, to go top of the table.
They were returning to domestic cup action for the for the first time since May, when they lifted the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in their history following a 4-1 win over Aberystwyth Town.
The evening’s competition was however the Nathaniel MG Cup, of which they have reached the semi finals three consecutive times to be knocked out.
The game presented a new opportunity to go one better, and it started with a clash against derby rivals Airbus. It was also a historic moment for referee and ex-Wales international Cheryl Foster who took charge of a Nomads’ game for the first time.
The Wingmakers came into the game as one of Wales’ top sides, sitting first place in the Huws Gray Alliance with an impressive 100% record.
They started the likes of Lewis Buckley, Ryan Edwards, and Phil Clark, with Nomads retaining much of their previous starting eleven with Callum Morris, Jay Owen and goalkeeper Jon Rushton all starting.
Nomads took control of the proceedings from the start, with Jack Kenny scoring the opener after just 14 minutes.
After Jay Owen beat the offside trap to run clear at the Nomads’ goal, he shot at keeper Dave Roberts at close range, with Robert’s save going straight to Jack Kenny who tapped in to score his first Nomads goal.
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— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) October 2, 2018
Jack Kenny opens the scoring at Deeside Stadium as he nods home a rebounded Jay Owen shot pic.twitter.com/WQiAKjiHAK
Waves of scintillating Nomads attacks followed, with Declan Poole making a pacy run down the wing to set up Rob Hughes, who had an eight yard effort denied by a low save from Roberts on 15 minutes.
After Michael Bakare and Jack Kenny saw Nomads go close again, Craig Jones nearly scored after a slick dummy turn from Bakare split open the Airbus defence.
In the 26th minute Jones’ efforts on the right wing paid off, when he broke free on goal from a Rob Hughes pass before slotting low to score his first goal at the club.
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— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) October 2, 2018
It's another first goal for the club, this time for Craig Jones - it's 2-0 here at Deeside pic.twitter.com/oIGKsmyi2e
Nomads’ intensity up front only grew, with the tenacious Rob Hughes shooting just wide on an angle on 28 minutes.
With 30 minutes played, Nathan Woolfe and Callum Morris were both delivering great balls into the area as the likes of Kenny and Bakare looked to add to Nomads’ goal tally.
In the 38th minute Michael Bakare couldn’t be held by the Airbus defence, running into the area before dragging a pass back to the penalty spot, where Morris and Jones got tangled to prevent one another from getting a shot away.
On 42 minutes the goal of the game came, with Rob Hughes hitting a thunderbolt strike off the underside of the crossbar from 18 yards out to make it 3-0 to Nomads at half time.
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— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) October 2, 2018
Rob Hughes with an absolute thunderbolt of a strike in off the bar to give The Nomads the 3-0 lead pic.twitter.com/O45tko65Wq
It took just three minutes for Hughes to seal his brace after the restart, when he finished low into the bottom left corner from 10 yards out.
On 55 minutes, Airbus scored a consolation when a good cross from Gilloway was sent in at close range by James Hooper.
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— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) October 2, 2018
Rob Hughes slotted another in for The Nomads before Airbus pulled one back - it's now 4-1 pic.twitter.com/CFvubyb3kV
On the hour mark Andy Morrison made changes, replacing Jack Kenny and Craig Jones with the attacking duo of Andy Owens and Ryan Wignall.
The Nomads kept on causing problems for their neighbours, with Rob Hughes seeing one of his relentless efforts for a hat trick blocked before Declan Poole hit the crossbar from a half volley assisted by Owens.
Nomads’ fifth came through Wignall, who darted into the Airbus area to beat the keeper at close range.
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— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) October 2, 2018
Here's the moment that Ryan Wignall scored against his former side making it 5-1 to The Nomads pic.twitter.com/WgzNXBOwOB
Nomads’ final change saw academy product Joe Sullivan make his first team debut when he replaced Nathan Woolfe, and the young midfielder got in the thick of the action as he helped drive Nomads’ attacking moves which were continuing to dominate the game.
With Nomads’ dominance restricting Airbus for the final ten minutes, full time saw them run out 5-1 winners and extend their run of consecutive derby wins to six.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Tuesday 2nd October 2018
Kick Off: 7:30pm
Venue: Essity Stadium, Flint, Wales
Attendance: 0
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