Connah’s Quay Nomads came from 0-1 down to win 2-1 against Newtown AFC at Latham Park in the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Porya Ahmadi sent Newtown ahead in the 35th minute, before second half goals from Danny Harrison and Michael Wilde saw Nomads return to the top of the league.
The match marked the start of the Nomads’ phase two campaign, with the club well in the race for the top spot in the JD Welsh Premier League, sitting third just a point below second-placed TNS, and two from Barry in first.
The game continued a spell of games on the road for Nomads, after a double header of away trips to Carmarthen Town in both the league and JD Welsh Cup fourth round.
In the JD Welsh Premier fixture, Connah’s Quay lost out to a 95th minute penalty winner, but returned to Richmond Park to progress to the quarter finals of the cup with a 3-1 win.
Andy Morrison made use of one of his January transfer window signings immediately, starting midfielder Adam Barton who made his debut on loan from the Scottish Championship’s Dundee United.
Michael Bakare, Michael Wilde, and Andy Owens formed Nomads’ attacking line, with Jake Phillips starting on the bench after returning from his loan spell at Bangor City.
Newtown also named some new signings in their line up, with ex-Aberystwyth man Porya Ahmadi and Sam Barnes from Bangor joining the Robins.
The game began and it was Nomads who started on the front foot, with Andy Owens turning and running clear at the Robin’s goal only for his shot to be held by goalkeeper Dave Jones in the third minute.
On five minutes, Owens saw another effort blocked, when he got on the end of a dragged back Danny Holmes pass to be denied from around 10 yards out.
Andy Owens remained a key part of the Nomads’ offensive, causing problems in the Newtown area with multiple long throw ins that targeted the Robin’s six yard box.
In the 18th minute, Michael Wilde went close when he headed a Holmes cross onto the roof of the net.
With half an hour played, Nomads dominance continued, with Wilde again sending a header just wide of the left post from a well taken Holmes cross.
But in the 33rd minute, Newtown went against the run of play to go 1-0 up, as
Ahmadi beat the offside trap to run at goal and sending a low effort brushing off the right post and in.
Nomads looked to reply to the Robin’s shock opener immediately, but were met with a stubborn Newtown defence set on holding onto their lead.
Late on in the second half Nomads won a corner which was headed goalwards by debutant Barton but blocked, with a second corner going out for a goal kick to signal the end of the half.
Disappointed to be trailing after spending sustained periods of the game on top, Nomads made a substitution, replacing Jay Owen with the tenacious Rob Hughes.
And Hughes got involved soon after the restart, going on a good run in the 48th minute before seeing his pass to Andy Owens go out for a Newtown goal kick.
However, Owens was soon back on the ball in 53rd minute, beating keeper Dave Jones to a loose ball as he ran off his line to collect it on the edge of his area. Owens then shot at the open goal, but saw his effort swing wide of the target.
As the hour mark approached, Nomads hunt for an equaliser was still ongoing, with George Horan having a close range header saved by GK Jones. They then made their second change, bringing on Jake Phillips in place of Andy Owens.
In the 64th minute, Nomads finally brought themselves level when Danny Harrison scored his inaugural club goal. From a Rob Hughes cross, he sent a low header into the bottom right corner from five yards out.
Newtown were then forced into a change, as keeper Dave Jones came off with injury to be replaced by young stopper Jack Perry.
With 13 minutes left to play, Nomads went in front thanks to a well worked move and finish from Michael Wilde, who got on the end of a Jake Phillips cross to send a bold header past Perry.
A tight final 10 minutes ensued at Latham Park, with Newtown’s Craig Williams running free into the Nomads’ area to send an 18 yard effort way wide of John Danby’s goal in the 83rd.
Adam Barton, who was enjoying a solid start to life at Nomads, helped them keep possession in the 85th minute with a cool flick on to Bakare up front.
In the 89th minute, Nomads went close to sealing victory, when Michael Wilde set up Rob Hughes who sent a first time effort from the edge of the area which went just wide.
With normal time up, the fourth official indicated a minimum of five minutes’ injury time for Nomads to hold out against a Robins side still determined to get a result.
In the 91st minute, Rob Hughes again went close with a 25 yard effort lifted just above goal, before Newtown broke into the Nomads’ half in the 93rd, but were blocked by the towering Barton.
Newtown did eventually reach the Nomads’ final third, but their time to find a result had ran out as referee Dean John blew his whistle to confirm Connah’s Quay’s victory.
The result saw Nomads end Newtown’s undefeated record in the JD Welsh Premier this season, and sends them top of the league by one point.
Andy Morrison’s side now turn their attentions to a return to their Deeside home ground on Friday 8 February when they entertain Caernarfon Town FC for a 7:45pm kick off.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Saturday 2nd February 2019
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Venue: Latham Park, Newtown
Attendance: 210
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