Wilde hat trick sinks Saints at Park Hall

Connah's Quay Nomads defeated The New Saints by four goals to one in the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday evening at Park Hall.

In an emphatic victory, a first half Michael Wilde hat trick and a Jamie Insall goal in the second half saw Nomads go three points clear at the top of the league.

• Michael Wilde gave Nomads lead after just 7 minutes
• Ryan Brobbel equalised for The New Saints
• Nomads hit back, with Wilde sealing a hat trick in the first half
• Insall sealed fourth on 56 minutes as Byrne makes late penalty save
• Connah's Quay Nomads go top of the JD Cymru Premier

The game was the biggest of the JD Cymru Premier season so far, and one of the most significant in many seasons, with Nomads and The New Saints level on points at the top of the table.

The two sides were both on 66 points after 26 games, with only goal difference separating the hosts TNS in first place, and reigning champions Connah's Quay in second.

It was clear that the result on the evening would have huge ramifications on the JD Cymru Premier title race, and the Sgorio cameras were in attendance to broadcast the highly anticipated clash live.

Following a late 2-0 win over Bala Town in the midweek, Andy Morrison made three changes to his side as Jamie Insall, Kris Owens, and Aron Williams all started after coming off the bench against Bala.

They were also forced into a late change ahead of the game, as Neil Danns was set to start until an injury meant he was replaced by Craig Curran.

Recently-appointed TNS manager Anthony Limbrick meanwhile started the likes of Simon Spender, captain Chris Marriott and renowned Saints forward Adrian Cieslewicz.

The game took just seven minutes to live up to its hype, when Michael Wilde gave Nomads an early lead. In the 7th minute, he got on the end of a Declan Poole cross to send a header past TNS keeper Paul Harrison at close range.

The New Saints responded by pushing for an equaliser, as Louis Robles pushed his side forward, winning a corner which was cleared away by Nomads captain George Horan.

TNS continued with their efforts to threaten, but Andy Morrison's side dealt with the pressure well as the likes of Danny Davies and Jamie Insall made runs into the Saints' final third.

On 20 minutes, TNS were denied by a fantastic save from keeper Ollie Byrne, who palmed away a Louis Robles header just three yards from his goal.

In the 23rd, Louis Robles found TNS' much sought after equaliser with a low strike from around 10 yards, bringing the highly-competitive encounter level once again.

But the 1-1 scoreline would only last for 6 minutes, as Michael Wilde scored his brace in the 29th minute to retake the lead. Kris Owens crossed to Davies, who sent a deft header to Wilde who slid in to send the ball past the keeper from inside the six yard box.

With half an hour played, Nomads were in a strong position, and proceeded to quell the TNS attack as well as create chances in their final third.

This was seen close to the end of the first half, when Jamie Insall sent a header in from a Nomads corner only for it to be caught by the keeper.

Then, in the 2nd of two additional minutes of injury time, Michael Wilde struck to complete a sensational first half hat-trick. From a well delivered John Disney cross, he rose highest from six yards out to head in and give Nomads a 3-1 lead at half time.

Nomads started where they left off when the game restarted, and quickly looked to create chances through the likes of Declan Poole, Danny Davies and Aron Williams.

This pressure paid off in the 55th, as Jamie Insall got on the scoresheet to make it 4-1 to Connah's Quay. After a Byrne goal kick was headed on by TNS captain Chris Marriott, he used his quick wit to run between two defenders and onto the ball, finishing low from only four yards out.

This goal only served to strengthen Nomads' control of the game, as they showed great composure for the remainder of the top of the table JD Cymru Premier clash.

As the hour mark passed, Andy Morrison made his first change, replacing Jamie Insall with Danny Harrison, who helped maintain Nomads' defensive discipline which was keeping TNS at bay.

Their second change saw Neil Danns come on in place of Craig Curran, who joined the Nomads' attacking line with his side well on top as the match's final stages approached.

In the 82nd, TNS were given the chance to launch a late comeback after Blaine Hudson was brought down in the Nomads' area, with referee Iwan Griffith pointing to the spot.

Greg Draper stepped up, but Ollie Byrne denied him with a good low save to all but end TNS' hopes of reducing the deficit to get back into the game.

With only four minutes of normal time to play, Nomads' third substitution replaced Danny Davies with Johnny Hunt, who further consolidated his side's performance through to five additional minutes of play at the end of the game.

Full time confirmed Connah's Quay's first win over TNS at Park Hall in over 10 years, and their record-highest scoring win away to the Saints.

The victory sends them top of the JD Cymru Premier, with a three point lead over 2nd placed The New Saints.

They will now move onto another highly-anticipated clash with Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Wednesday 28th April for a 7:45pm kick off, streamed live by Sgorio.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall