Edwards and Wilde return to haunt TNS at Deeside

Connah's Quay Nomads defeated title rivals The New Saints by two goals to nil on Saturday evening in the JD Cymru Premier.

Two goals in the second half were enough to see Nomads go level on points with the league leaders.

• Dean Ebbe went close for TNS early on
• Nomads' keeper Ollie Byrne put on great performance
• Aeron Edwards broke the deadlock against his former side
• Michael Wilde headed in via Paul Harrison to secure big win for Nomads

The game was billed as one of the biggest of the JD Cymru Premier campaign so far as Nomads, the reigning Champions, hosted TNS, who had won the league eight times consecutively up until 2019/20.

And the two sides met once again wrangled in a battle at the top, with the visiting Saints three points ahead of 2nd placed Connah's Quay coming into the game.

Both sides were feeling confident in strong form, as Andy Morrison's side were on a five game winning streak whilst Scott Ruscoe's team were yet to lose in the league this season.

Andy Morrison made two changes to his side from their previous 2-1 win at Aberystwyth, with Danny Holmes and Aron Williams starting in place of Callum Roberts and Sameron Dool.

TNS meanwhile named a familiar line up fronted by Dean Ebbe, Louis Robles, and Jamie Mullan with defensive summer signing Ryan Astles also starting.

The match started with a fast pace and attacking theme that would remain throughout much of the 90 minutes.

In the 1st minute, Dean Ebbe went close to an instant opener for TNS when he broke through on goal only to be denied by Nomads 'keeper Ollie Byrne from around eight yards with a fantastic low save.

Nomads quickly responded, with a Danny Davies cross in the 7th minute being headed goalwards by Wilde, with veteran Saints 'keeper Paul Harrison holding the effort.

Two minutes later, Wilde was again threatening for Nomads as he headed a corner ball from Declan Poole close to goal, but TNS managed to clear the danger.

After 10 minutes it was clear both sides had an attacking game plan, with TNS winning a couple of free kicks inside the Nomads half in quick succession.

The second set piece for TNS on 15 minutes fell to Ebbe after being initially cleared out of the Nomads area, but he followed up to curl a half volley wide.

A minute later the action was back in the TNS end, as Danny Davies was denied by Paul Harrison from around 20 yards before Craig Curran sent a bicycle kick effort wide from close range.

In the 23rd minute the game's end-to-end feel meant Byrne was called into action again, as he made a low save to stop Louis Robles converting a square ball just six yards from the goal.

After half an hour played, both Nomads and TNS had created chances from free play in addition to going close with set pieces.

In the 33rd, Wilde looked to have finally broken the deadlock when he headed an Aron Williams ball in at point-blanc range, but referee Iwan Griffith ruled it out for a handball from Wilde, for which he was booked.

Despite the game playing out as an excellent advert for the JD Cymru Premier, the game was still goalless as half time approached. Aron Williams and Declan Poole chased down balls in the TNS half to create more chances, but half time saw both sides go in level.

The second half restarted with an early Nomads chance, as Craig Curran cut down the left wing to cross to Aron Williams who won a corner with a headed effort in the 47th.

Two consecutive corners followed for Connah's Quay, but TNS were able to do enough to keep them out, although the Nomads' attacks kept coming.

And in the 58th, they finally broke the deadlock via Aeron Edwards, who headed in an excellent Williams cross to beat keeper Harrison from just inside the six yard box.

AERON EDWARDS!

Cei Connah ar y blaen! The Nomads take the lead - BIG GOAL!

57' @the_nomads 1-0 Y Seintiau Newydd#JDCymruPremier pic.twitter.com/y7CcApv3Ly

— Sgorio (@sgorio) December 12, 2020

TNS looked to respond to Nomads' opener and won a free kick near the Nomads' right corner flag, but Redmond's delivery was dealt with by 'keeper Byrne who enjoyed a great individual performance on the night.

On 63 minutes, Connah's Quay doubled their lead as another ex-TNS man, Michael Wilde, after another assisted cross from Aron Williams. Rising up from seven yards out, he sent a well-placed header in off a combination of the post and Palu Harrison to double The Nomads' advantage.

MICHAEL WILDE!

Peniad Wilde yn dyblu'r fantais i'r Nomadiaid!
Great header by the striker – 2-0 to The Nomads

63' @the_nomads 2-0 Y Seintiau Newydd#JDCymruPremier pic.twitter.com/4aRL6OfyV4

— Sgorio (@sgorio) December 12, 2020

With 20 minutes left Nomads were in control with their 2-0 lead, and did well to restrict TNS' campaign to mount a late comeback.

With two assists already, Williams went for goal in the 71st, shooting from 18 yards out after a corner kick taken by Poole, sending the ball just wide.

Danny Davies was meanwhile scaling the length of the pitch on the wing to stop a run from Redmond, with TNS then introducing golden boot holder Greg Draper for the final stage of the game.

Draper did get involved in the 84th, receiving the ball from around 15 yards out after a breaking run from fellow substitute Cieslewicz, but his shot was collected by Byrne.

The remaining minutes were well managed by a composed Connah's Quay side, whose 2-0 victory sends them joint on points with TNS who stay top of the league via difference.

They will return to Deeside next Saturday 19th December to welcome Cardiff Met in a behind closed doors JD Cymru Premier match for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall