Shootout success for Nomads

Connah's Quay Nomads beat Guilsfield FC 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round on Wednesday evening.

After a Jamie Insall goal in the 43rd minute sent Nomads ahead, but a 48th minute Callum Bromley goal was enough to send the game to penalties.

The tie was set up by Nomads' early season second round Nathaniel MG Cup game against Rhyl, in which goals from Nathan Woolfe and Ryan Wignall sent them through to face JD Cymru North side Guilsfield at Clos Mytton.

Nathan Woolfe made the starting line along with debutant Sameron Dool, whilst Conor Harwood formed part of Nomads' attacking line up with Insall.

The first major chance of the game came in the 4th minute, when an aerial ball into the Guilsfield area saw Callum Morris head just over the crossbar.

Connah's Quay then began to target the host's area with the long throw ins of Priestley Farquharson, but these were headed away by the Mid Wales side's stern defence.

Nomads again went close in the 14th, when a Woolfe corner went to Jamie Insall near the left post, but he was unable to connect with the ball, seeing a follow up strike from Farquharson go wide.

It was then the turn of Harwood to go at goal, but his well taken 17th minute strike was saved by keeper Mike Jones.

As the half went on, Nomads were continuing to look to put pressure on the opposition's goalmouth at every opportunity, but were coming against a spirited performance from Guilsfield.

As half time neared a goal before the interval looked likely, but Nomads broke the deadlock via Jamie Insall in the 43rd minute. He burst into the area and connected with the ball on the edge of the box to slot past keeper Jones.

Boosted by their goal, the Nomads came out for the second half aiming to add to their lead and consolidate their winning position.

But they were set back early on, as Callum Bromley rose up in the Nomads' area on 48 minutes to head a cross past Lewis Brass.

Sameron Dool was impressing in his first Nomads appearance with some skilful and pacy runs down the midfield, which he utilised to set up the likes of Woolfe and Insall as they looked to reply to the equaliser.

After 56 minutes, Andy Morrison made his first change of the evening, bringing on Michael Bakare in place of Declan Poole.

Two minutes later Guilsfield almost took the lead when a corner ball went close to the Nomads' goal, but was cleared off the line in a packed Connah's Quay area.

After the hour mark, Michael Wilde replaced Conor Harwood as the cup tie began to play out with an end-to-end feel as both sides sought to take the lead.

Nomads won a number of set pieces in the Guilsfield half, but were again frustrated by the hosts, seen in the 71st minute when Woolfe broke clear in front of goal only to be blocked by keeper Jones from six yards.

With 15 minutes to go, Nomads' final change saw John Disney take the field in place of Danny Harrison.

Disney was soon involved with Nomads' efforts to find a late winner inside the final 10 minutes, which saw them increase their share of possession and set pieces in the Guilsfield half.

In the 83rd minute, Nathan Woolfe sent a corner swinging in close to goal, and then fired just over from 15 yards in the 85th.

Despite last ditch efforts from both teams to find a winner in normal time, full time saw the tie decided by penalties with no extra time played as per competition rules.

The shoot-out saw some consistently strong penalties from Jamie Insall, Callum Morris, John Disney, and George Horan, but Guilsfield remained in the shootout, scoring two and missing one.

The penalty to send Nomads through fell to Michael Bakare, who stayed cool on the spot to fire low into the goal to book Nomads' place in the quarter final for the fifth consecutive season.

The last eight draw of the Nathaniel MG Cup will take place this Thursday evening, with Nomads now turning their attentions to a JD Cymru Premier match against Penybont on Sunday 29 September for a 2:30pm kick off at Deeside.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall