Nine men Nomads win in late drama at The Oval

Connah's Quay Nomads ran out 2-1 winners against Caernarfon Town at The Oval on Friday evening in their first JD Cymru Premier fixture following the national firebreaker.

Michael Wilde equalised for Nomads in the second half, whilst an injury time penalty for Callum Morris triggered a frantic finish in North West Wales.

• Good saves from both sides kept first half goalless
• Hayes' opener was cancelled out by Wilde's headed equaliser
• Callum Morris converted penalty to seal victory in injury time
• Injury time saw four red cards in total, with Roberts and Brass dismissed for Nomads

The match saw Nomads return from the firebreaker with a number of players back from injury, including captain George Horan and Michael Wilde who both started.

They were joined by the likes of Aeron Edwards and Sameron Dool as Nomads looked to pick up where they'd left their campaign in October, having lost only one league game so far this season.

Caernarfon meanwhile sat sixth and were plotting a climb up the table, with manager Huw Griffiths starting a strong side full of ex-Nomad players in Michael Hayes, Noah Edwards, Mike Parker and Jack Kenny.

The game started with a Nomads' attack, as Dool won a corner which was headed wide by George Horan. A bright start from both sides followed, as Caernarfon and Connah's Quay sought a way into their respective final thirds.

Lewis Brass was called into action for the first major chance in the 13th minute, when Hayes got into the Nomads' area and cut onto his right to shoot, with Brass stretching out well to push the ball to safety.

Hayes again looked to cause problems in the 15th, but Danny Holmes was there to stop him with a vital tackle before runs down the wing from Dool saw Nomads move further upfield.

Despite pushing up, Nomads were yet to find a clear chance on goal after 20 minutes as they battled hard against the Cofis. Aeron Edwards did nearly send Dool clear in front of goal in the 27th, but the offside flag went up against him.

After half an hour the game was goalless but proving a good advert for the JD Cymru Premier, with the well-disciplined defences largely cancelling each other out as half time loomed.

It was then that Nomads began to really threaten, with a low header from Aeron Edwards in the 38th being denied by a good save from Caernarfon keeper Josh Tibbetts. Holmes followed up with a powerful effort from the edge of the area, but this was blocked by the Cofi defence.

Andy Morrison was also forced to make a change before half time, as Craig Curran went off injured to be replaced by Aron Williams.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with both sides showing their eagerness to get at goal. This saw Danny Holmes take a knock while defending in his own goalmouth just after the restart, but he was given the all clear to continue after treatment.

In the 55th minute, Nomads found themselves behind after a Gareth Edwards pass found Hayes in front of Lewis Brass goal where he slotted through to send the host's 1-0 up.

Andy Morrison's side looked to reply instantly, winning a throw in near the Caernarfon end in the 57th, but it was cleared as the Cofi's sought to hold onto their lead.

After 60 minutes, The Nomads' manager rang the changes with Brayden Shaw and Callum Roberts coming on to replace Danny Harrison and Sameron Dool.

In the 66th, Brass again pulled off an impressive stop against Darren Thomas who shot from 10 yards out, and followed up to collect the following corner kick which swung in close to the Nomads' goal line.

With 20 minutes to play, the Nomads were still seeking a leveller and had been boosted by Brayden Shaw who was playing some dangerous balls into the Caernarfon area.

And this finally paid off in the 75th, when a Shaw cross was knocked up into the air inside the Caernarfon box and dropped down to Wilde, who headed into the back of the net to equalise.

In the 85th, Wilde nearly secured himself a headed brace when a second effort went off the right post following a free kick, but the move was found offside despite the Nomads forward's protests.

As the game entered the injury it looked likely to finish as a draw, however there would be much more in store at the Oval with late drama leading to almost 10 minutes of additional action.

It arrived when Callum Morris went down from a challenge in the Caernarfon area, with referee Lee Evans pointing to the spot in the 92nd minute to hand Nomads a lifeline to take all three points.

Morris stepped up as the club's serial spot kick taker, and made no mistake to score the winner for Nomads in late fashion amid Caernarfon's protests at the penalty decision.

The 93rd minute then saw Sion Bradley sent off for a foul as tempers flared in the final moments of the game, which then saw a challenge from Paulo Mendes on Aeron Edwards spark a melee between the two sides.

For their part in the scuffle, Noah Edwards was shown a second yellow card, with Callum Roberts and Nomads keeper Brass both shown red cards, leading to a nine-versus nine men finish with Priestley Farquharson going in goal for Nomads. Connah's Quay had however done enough to seal the victory, with full time confirming victory in late and dramatic fashion at The Oval.

Andy Morrison's side will now look forward to hosting Cefn Druids next Friday 20th November for a 7:45pm kick off held behind closed doors at Deeside Stadium.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall