Nomads defeat Bluebirds to stay unbeaten

Connah's Quay Nomads defeated Haverfordwest County by four goals to one at the Bridge Meadow Stadium in the JD Cymru Premier.

A Craig Curran double, plus goals from Aeron Edwards and Declan Poole, saw Nomads take all three points in South Wales on Sunday afternoon.

• New signing Brayden Shaw announced pre-game
• Craig Curran opened scoring before Pemberton equalised
• Curran secured brace in second half to send Nomads back in front
• Edwards and Poole convert to secure Connah's Quay's victory

The game marked Nomads' third encounter of the JD Cymru Premier season so far, and their first trip to Haverfordwest since a JD Welsh Cup fourth round clash in 2017.

Craig Curran led the line for Nomads with Aeron Edwards supporting from the midfield, and Priestley Farquharson again captaining Connah's Quay as George Horan along with Jamie Insall remained out with injuries.

Andy Morrison's squad also included a new signing for The Nomads, as ex-Bangor City forward Brayden Shaw was announced shortly before the match and started on the bench.

Hosts Haverfordwest County meanwhile named a lineup featuring stalwart captain Sean Pemberton, Danny Williams and goalkeeper Steve Hall.

The Nomads could have been ahead within the opening minute as Sameron Dool went through 1-on-1, however slotted his effort just wide of the Haverfordwest goal, but the few watching on at the behind-closed-doors fixture only had to wait until the 10th for the opening goal. A powerful strike from Danny Davies on the edge of the box couldn't be held by Hall, who parried the ball into the path of Curran, who was able to slot home from inside the six yard box to give The Nomads an important early lead.

Building on this opener, Andy Morrison's side went on to dominate much of the half, creating good chances to get a second when Aeron Edwards jumped highest to head towards goal, only to see his effort saved low by 'keeper Hall in the 20th.

Just three minutes later and a period of pressure in the Haverfordwest final third gave Dool a chance to shoot with his left foot from the edge of the box, but the chance went over the bar as The Nomads continued to push forward. The Nomads' defence was rarely seriously tested until half an hour into the first half, when Haverfordwest won a corner ball which led to a free kick near the corner flag. The result free kick hit the post but was converted on the rebound by Pemberton who ensured, despite The Nomads' strong performance, the scores were level at 1-1 at half time.

Andy Morrison brought Danny Holmes on in place of Callum Roberts at half time and the second half started with a flurry of action, with Palmer seeing a big opportunity go begging in the 46th minute with a header which went wide from seemingly underneath The Nomads' crossbar.

At the other end, Sameron Dool and Declan Poole were linking up well, whilst Danny Davies was proving effective on the left wing.

Davies again played his part on 51 minutes when a shot from the edge of the area ricocheted up near Curran who was waiting to poach a strike from close range, and did just that to retake the lead for the travelling Nomads.

A quick-fire strike then saw Aeron Edwards make it 3-1 on 53 minutes, as after a surging run up the midfield and a through ball from Dool was knocked to him Davies, he was able to slot home from seven yards to officially open his Nomads account.

The fourth and final goal of the day went to Declan Poole who was also able to convert from around six yards in the 73rd after taking advantage of a cross-cum-shot across the goal from Aron Williams, who had come on as substitute for John Disney.

As the game entered its latter stages, Poole then departed to make way for Brayden Shaw to make his Nomads debut, but he unfortunatley was forced to leave the match just minutes after his entry with a groin strain.

After Lewis Brass comfortably dealt with some last-ditch comeback efforts from Haverfordwest, full time confirmed Nomads could travel back to Deeside with a well-deserved JD Cymru Premier victory.

Andy Morrison's side now move onto a busy week of action in the league, facing Aberystwyth Town at Deeside for a 7:45pm kick off on Wednesday evening before travelling to The Rock to face Cefn Druids on Saturday 3rd October for a 2:30pm kick off, with both games behind-closed-doors.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall