Nomads and Saints play out table-topping stalemate

Connah's Quay Nomads and The New Saints played out a goalless draw in the JD Cymru Premier at the Deeside Stadium on Saturday evening.

• Nomads came into the game top of the JD Cymru Premier
• Just two points separated the sides
• Both put on solid performances, but failed to find a clinical finish
• TNS reduced to ten after Redmond saw two quick-fire yellows
• Nomads remain top with three games to go

The grandstand title match was billed one of the biggest in JD Cymru Premier history, with Nomads and TNS locked in the closest title race the league has seen in 10 years.

In the previous week, Connah's Quay had taken pole position with a 4-1 win over TNS at Park Hall, but the midweek fixture card saw further twists, with both sides dropping points against Bala and Caernarfon respectively.

This had left Nomads still top of the league by two points, and with just four games left to play this season, the live Sgorio clash had the potential to decide the fate of the JD Cymru Premier Championship for 2020/21.

Andy Morrison made three changes to his side, bringing in Jamie Insall, Craig Curran, and Danny Davies in place of the injured Aron Williams, Danny Harrison and Neil Danns.

His counterpart Anthony Lambrick meanwhile started a series of TNS stalwarts including Ryan Brobbel, Adrian Cieslewicz and Daniel Redmond.

The game began, and the tension of the occasion was clear, with neither side seriously threatening in the opening stages, despite showing their eagerness to create.

In their early attacking moves, both found themselves cancelled out, with TNS' Ryan Brobbel seeing a run go out for a goal kick and Michael Wilde having a half volley blocked from 16 yards out.

This would be a recurring theme throughout the opening half hour, as the disciplined shape of Connah's Quay locked horns for a battle in the midfield with the equally well-organised TNS.

In the 35th minute, Nomads did have a chance when Declan Poole whipped in a dangerous-looking cross, but it was headed away by Blaine Hudson before the rising Wilde and George Horan could get to it.

At the end of the first half, TNS' Ryan Brobbel teed up a shot from the edge of the Nomads' area, but sent it wide to cap off 45 minutes that showed little between Andy Morrison and Anthony Limbrick's sides.

After the interval, the second half restarted and Nomads were first to get into the visitor's final third, but again found themselves frustrated in front of goal.

This was also the situation for TNS, who were having their chances scuppered by the stern defending of George Horan, John Disney and Kris Owens.

On 55 minutes, Nomads turned up the pressure, winning two consecutive corners followed by a throw in in deep in the TNS end. Both sides packed into the six-yard area for the set pieces, but keeper Paul Harrison ultimately collected for TNS.

With the game goalless after the hour mark, the first substitution was made in the 65th, and it was from Andy Morrison who replaced Doug Tharme with Craig Curran.

The latter stages of the game were approaching with 20 minutes left, and the encounter was being played throughout an increasingly tense atmosphere as both sides chased what could be season-deciding JD Cymru Premier points.

This was seen through referee Lee Evans' bookings, as Jamie Insall and TNS' Keston Davies and Jonathan Routledge were all shown yellow cards as some big challenges went in across the midfield.

With 15 minutes left, Nomads were working hard for possession in the TNS half as they chased down a late breakthrough. Their second and final substitution then saw Neil Danns replace Jamie Insall.

Into the 85th minute, the game was goalless and still looked like it could go either way, as game play became increasingly end-to-end. Both sides used set plays to target the respective goals, but were again unable to break the deadlock inside the 90 minutes.

During four minutes of additional time, TNS were dealt a blow when they were reduced to ten-men after Daniel Redmond received two yellow cards in less than 60 seconds of play.

The end of the match did see the opportunity for a last-gasp chance for Connah's Quay, when they won a free kick in the 93rd minute just outside TNS' area.

Declan Poole stepped up, and sent the ball just over the goal to confirm what had been a hard fought stalemate between the league's top two.

The result leaves Nomads two points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, with three games left to play. They will now move onto an away trip to Jenner Park on Tuesday evening, facing Barry Town for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall