Nomads defeat Penybont at Deeside

A solitary Kris Owens strike was enough to give Connah's Quay Nomads victory over Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier at Deeside on Sunday afternoon.

• Declan Poole hit crossbar early on
• Kris Owens' strike sent Nomads ahead in first half
• Even second half saw both sides battle for possession
• Nomads secure first win of JD Cymru Premier season

The game followed Nomads' Europa League clash with Dinamo Tbilisi, in which they had bravely battled to the verge of extra time before a 97th minute penalty cruelly sent them out of the competition.

It was their second JD Cymru Premier encounter of the season, having opened their campaign at Deeside in the previous week, where an injury time goal was also crucial as a 25 yard effort from Sameron Dool sealed a 1-1 with Bala Town.

Andy Morrison made one change from Thursday's line up as his squad selection continued to be limited by injuries and positive COVID-19 results. With Jamie Insall injured, Craig Curran led the line for Nomads, backed by Aeron Edwards with Priestley Farquharson again donning the captain's armband.

The visiting Penybont meanwhile named a starting eleven including captain Kane Owen, ex Cardiff Met man Sam Snaith and forward Connor Davies.

The game started brightly, with Penybont attacking the Nomads end within two minutes, but without getting a shot away thanks to John Disney retaking possession.

Nomads' first chance came just four minutes in, when Declan Poole sent a close range effort off the crossbar as he looked to test ex-Bala keeper Ashley Morris.

Connah's Quay were soon taking control of the game as they began to dominate the possession, seeing a number of throw ins from Farquharson target the Penybont end with 15 minutes played.

Despite this pressure, Rhys Griffiths' well drilled defence was keeping Nomads out as Craig Curran looked to open the scoring in the 18th with a header from eight yards which went wide, but won a corner kick.

Nomads continued to utilise set pieces well, seen on 22 minutes when Danny Davies sent a free kick up to Dool on the edge of the area who got away from surrounding defenders with good footwork to drag a shot wide from 18 yards.

Kris Owens was also putting in a great shift on the left wing to create chances, and had one of his own in the 24th when he got a good position inside the Penybont area to head just wide.

But his efforts did pay off, as he sent Nomads ahead in the 32nd minute. Lewis Brass found Aeron Edwards in the final third from a goal kick, with Edwards passing to Owens who found space on the left and stepped forward to fire a low shot in from 18 yards.

Andy Morrison urged his side to continue attacking before the break, and they were playing much of their football in the Penybont half by the time the interval came.

The second half started, like the first, in bright fashion with both teams immediately battling for the ball in the air. One of the first chances after the restart came on 53 minutes when Penybont's Mael Davies sent a 23 yard effort goalwards which sailed wide.

With an hour played little had changed, with Nomads and Penybont locked in a battle for possession that saw major chances go few and far between.

Connah's Quay were still looking to set pieces to seal their much-sought after second goal, and Danny Davies tried to find it on 73 minutes, hitting a half volley over Ashley Morris' goal following a throw in.

With 15 minutes to play Andy Morrison made a change, replacing Callum Roberts with Aron Williams as Nomads looked to stay organised against a Penybont side still very much in the game.

In the 78th, they saw a great chance to make it 2-0 when a corner kick from Dool connected with a header from Curran which clattered the crossbar at close range for the second time in the game.

As the game entered its final ten minutes, Nomads were in control but wary of the threat of Penybont whose sights were set on an equaliser.

However, Lewis Brass was there to stop them, as he got his body down to the left of his goal to stop a ball bundling towards him after a high ball from the visitors on 85 minutes.

There was more late danger for Nomads to deal with, as in the 88th Billy Borge headed a long throw in just over the Connah's Quay goal.

The fourth official indicated a minimum of six minutes' injury time, but Nomads kept their composure to professionally see the game off, with the likes of Aeron Edwards using his experience to keep the ball near Penybont's left corner flag.

After a series of set pieces for Nomads kept them in control, referee John Jones blew his whistle to confirm a home victory for Andy Morrison's side.

They will now turn their first away game of the campaign, travelling to Haverfordwest County on Sunday 27th September for a 2:30 kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall