Nomads crowned back to back Cymru Premier Champions

Connah's Quay Nomads clinched the JD Cymru Premier Championship on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win over Penybont at the SDM Glass Stadium.

Goals from George Horan and Aeron Edwards were enough to hand the Nomads their second consecutive title win in a thrilling conclusion to the league campaign.

• Nomads needed victory to guarantee title
• George Horan headed to send Nomads in front after four minutes
• Penybont battled to stay in the game
• Aeron Edwards' 77th minute header sealed historic title win for Connah's Quay
• Nomads crowned champions and qualify for the Champions' League Qualifying Rounds 2012/22

The game was hailed as the finale to the one of the most dramatic JD Cymru Premier title races in recent memory, with Nomads heading into their final fixture of the season just two points ahead of second placed rivals TNS.

This meant that they had to at least match The New Saints' result against Bala Town, or win to guarantee their second title in as many seasons.

To add to the drama, they travelled to Penybont, where they had never won nor scored in their only two previous attempts.

Following a dominant 4-0 win over Caernarfon Town in the previous week, Andy Morrison made only one change, starting Aron Williams in place of the suspended Michael Wilde.

The live S4C game kicked off after weeks of high anticipation, and only took 4 minutes to deliver when a strong start from Nomads saw them take the lead early on.

From an Aeron Edwards cross, George Horan rose high in the area to send a trademark bullet header low into the goal past goalkeeper Ashley Morris.

Buoyed by their early lead, Nomads continued to look to create chances with the likes of Danny Davies causing issues for the hosts on the left wing.

There were moments where Penybont tested them, but the disciplined defence of George Horan, John Disney and Kris Owens kept them at bay with 15 minutes played.

In the 23rd, Aron Williams put the pressure on for Nomads, challenging for a ball in the air with Ashley Morris who successfully punched to clear it.

With half an hour played, Nomads were on top as they chased a much needed second goal in the title-deciding clash.

Danny Davies went close in the 32nd, cutting in from the left and having a shot collected by Morris from around 22 yards.

As the half went on, Penybont tried to break down Nomads, seeing both Danny Harrison and Jamie Insall booked for challenges to ensure keeper Ollie Byrne remained untested.

Nomads took their 1-0 lead in at the break knowing they only needed to remain in a winning position for the final 45 minutes of the season to secure the title, with TNS also leading by the same amount against Bala Town.

They came out fired up for the second half and again started well, going close almost instantly when Davies intercepted and set up Williams, who shot just over the Penybont goal.

In the 54th Nomads then won a free kick on the left wing just a couple of yards outside the Penybont area, and whilst the set piece didn't convert, it did see Andy Morrison's side keep possession for a sustained period.

As the hour mark approached, Nomads were seeing the majority of the possession, but still searching for a second goal that looked likely to secure the title.

On 62 minutes Horan nearly sealed a brace, sending a bullet header wide of goal from a Declan Poole corner.

Andy Morrison then made his first change, introducing Craig Curran in place of Aron Williams to bolster his attacking options.

Penybont had also made a double substitution including the introduction of player-manager and former golden boot holder Rhys Griffiths.

The 70th minute approached and the tension was rising at the SDM Glass Stadium with Nomads still leading by only one goal, knowing the title depended on it.

In the 74th, Penybont then threatened with a well worked set piece which saw Griffiths swing a cross close to Ollie Byrne's goal.

But a minute later, Nomads took a giant step towards title glory when Aeron Edwards headed in a Danny Davies cross, sparking great celebrations on the Connah's Quay bench as they went 2-0 up.

With ten minutes to go, Nomads then made a double sub, replacing Danny Davies and Danny Harrison with Neil Danns and Jay Owen who returned from injury to help his side take their final steps towards the title.

Connah's Quay's composure and experience was clear in the final few minutes of play, as they ran the clock down before three additional minutes of play were announced.

There was time for one further change for Andy Morrison, who replaced man of the match Aeron Edwards with Johnny Hunt.

Full time sparked joyous celebrations amongst the Nomads ranks as they marked their second consecutive JD Cymru Premier title with a club record points tally of 79.

During the course of the season, Andy Morrison's side scored 70 goals in 32 games to clinch the Championship on the final day.

Their title success means Connah's Quay qualify for the 2021/22 Champions League qualifiers, with the draw to take place at UEFA headquarters in Geneva in June.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall