Nomads defeated at Park Hall

Connah's Quay Nomads succumbed to their first defeat of the JD Cymru Premier season on Tuesday evening, losing 1-0 at The New Saints.

Despite a game full of chances for the visitors, a 41st minute goal from Louis Robles handed the hosts victory.

• Nomads start strong with flurry of attempts on goal
• Robles scores to give TNS lead at half time
• Connah's Quay saw a number of equaliser efforts go close
• Nomads go second in first league defeat sice January

The game was billed as one of the biggest of the JD Cymru Premier season so far, with the reigning Champions Nomads travelling to current runners up The New Saints.

With Connah's Quay on a run of six consecutive wins and TNS boasting a 100% record so far in the league with a game in hand, it was an early but key encounter in both sides' quest for this season's title.

Andy Morrison made two changes to his side which won 2-1 at Cardiff Met on the previous Saturday. He replaced Jay Owen and Michael Wilde with Declan Poole and Aeron Edwards, who was facing his former club for the first time.

Scott Ruscoe's TNS side saw regulars including captain Chris Marriott and summer signings Leo Smith and Ryan Astles.

The fixture, played midweek due to both sides having European action on the week of the original date for play, kicked off to a positive start for the travelling Nomads.

In only the fourth minute, Danny Davies saw a powerful shot from the edge of the area saved which couldn't be held by keeper Paul Harrison. The ball then fell back out to Aeron Edwards, whose follow up effort from close range was then collected.

TNS were also looking to attack, but had failed to break down Nomads' disciplined defence despite the likes of Smith and Robles looking for a way past.

They threatened in the 15th when Dean Ebbe was momentarily clear on goal, but tackled with the greatest of timing by John Disney who saw the ball out for a goal kick.

After 20 minutes, Nomads were more than holding their own as Declan Poole made good runs and crosses into the area where the likes of Craig Curran were waiting for their opportunity on goal.

In the 27th, Aeron Edwards went close with a 22 yard strike which sailed just over the TNS goal to continue Connah's Quay's promising attacks at Park Hall.

After half an hour of play, the chances kept coming as Poole had a shot blocked at the edge of the area, with Sameron Dool hitting the side netting from the subsequent corner ball on 32 minutes.

Nomads' pressure remained on, with a throw in from Aron Williams causing a scramble in the 33rd which saw Edwards, Davies and Poole all have efforts blocked.

Declan Poole was causing a series of problems for TNS, using great skill and pace to beat them on the wing and getting himself involved with attempts on goal.

Connah's Quay were threatening well, but despite their efforts they were dealt a blow in the 41st when Louis Robles sent TNS 1-0 up after a corner. The ball went to Routledge on the edge of the area, whose powerful strike was sent in by a deft touch from the TNS man.

Nomads nearly replied before half time, as Aron Williams had a header from a Declan Poole cross go towards goal but it was saved by keeper Harrison.

At half time Nomads were performing very well despite the scoreline, and came out in the second half to continue a series of attacks at the TNS end.

In the 47th, Poole threatened with a cross to try and cancel out Robles' opener, with Kris Owens seeing a free kick from the right wing cleared away after the 50 minute mark.

The second half was briefly paused as TNS man Daniel Redmond was forced off with a shoulder injury, but play got back underway with Danny Davies seeing a shot from 18 yards go wide in the 56th.

Davies was proving relentless on the wing for Nomads, as he so nearly found the equaliser when he ran down the left wing and cut into the area, seeing his angled shot bounce off the chest of keeper Harrison just before the hour mark.

With an hour played, it seemed Nomads had done everything but scored, and they again went close via Davies on 65 minutes who had a strike unfortunately deflected away by Aeron Edwards, despite him making clear efforts to avoid changing the path of the ball.

With 20 minutes to go the Nomads were on top, as yet more efforts from the likes of Davies, Curran and Williams went in inside the TNS final third.

After a Davies shot went out for a corner, John Disney then went close in the 74th thanks to a corner ball which he sent agonisingly wide as Connah's Quay continued to throw everything at the Saints' goal.

Andy Morrison made his only substitution with 15 minutes to play, taking Declan Poole off in place of Callum Roberts, who quickly intercepted TNS on the right wing to keep the hosts at bay.

Inside the final ten minutes Nomads were making all of the moves that had seen them dominate much of the second half, but their much sought after equaliser was yet to be secured as time began to run out.

In the 87th, TNS' Cieslewicz had a chance to seal the game for Saints, but despite going clear on goal he hit the post with Robles sending his follow up effort wide.

As the 90th minute arrived, Nomads welcomed an additional seven minutes' injury time to be played, giving them the opportunity to create yet more chances to level the game.

In the 92nd, they had the ball in the TNS end and held onto possession with two deep throw ins which didn't find the goal as TNS sent all back to defend Nomads' final onslaught.

The high pace, high energy game continued right through to the 97th, when referee Lee Evans finally blew his whistle to hand Nomads their first defeat of the season.

It would be a frustrating one for Nomads who had been beaten despite bringing much of the game to Park Hall and seen a number of close chances go begging.

They now move onto their third of a run of three away games, travelling to Jenner Park to face Barry Town this Saturday live on S4C Sgorio for a 5:15pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall