Final home game ends in Bala stalemate

Connah’s Quay Nomads were left frustrated in their final home game of the season as they were held to a goalless draw against Bala Town on Friday evening.

The match was The Nomads’ last home game of the season as we began to say our goodbyes to club legend Michael Wilde, this season’s top goalscorer Jordan Davies and Hall Of Famer John Nixon ahead of their departures.

Jordan Davies and Harry Franklin both had glorious chances for The Nomads and academy star Jack Burman nearly found a late winner, but there was to be no breakthrough at The Essity Stadium as both sides came away with a point apiece.

Team News
Teenage striker Luca Hogan, who made his first league start for The Nomads last weekend against Cardiff Met, kept his place in the starting eleven as Ben Nash, Noah Edwards, Callum Bratley and Harry Franklin returned to the line up. Midfielder Josh Williams completed the midfield as he marked his 50th league appearance for the club.

Bala manager Colin Caton made just one change from his side’s 4-1 loss to The New Saints in midweek as Nathan Peate replaced Josh Ukek, who dropped to the bench.

The First Half
The Nomads were first to hit the target as Jordan Davies’ free kick from the edge of the area forced Kelland Absalom into a fairly comfortable save.

Absalom then nearly gifted The Nomads an opening goal as he was unable to safely catch Josh Williams’ corner at first, but the Bala goalkeeper quickly made amends by gathering the loose ball.

The closest chance of the entire half fell to Harry Franklin as the attacker and Jordan Davies combined once again on the edge of the area, but Franklin’s fierce effort was inches wide of the near post.

The visitors had a great chance to test Andy Firth for the first time in the match as Naim Arsan stood over a free kick on the edge of the area. The full back went for power, but in doing so, struck way over the bar.

Moments after Joe Malkin received the first yellow card of the match, Absalom came to Bala’s rescue again as he denied Franklin twice in quick succession.

The first attempt saw Franklin try to beat Absalom from distance, however the goalkeeper made an easy save. Two minutes later, Franklin latched onto another Davies pass, but despite having time to pick his spot, he shot straight at Absalom as both sides went into the break level.

The Second Half
Bala were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty moments after the restart as Kieran Smith went to ground following a challenge from John Disney, but the referee spotted Smith’s dramatic fall and the Bala captain received a yellow card for simulation.

Another glorious opportunity went begging for The Nomads on the hour mark. Noah Edwards made a superb block to deny Kieran Smith inside the area, and straight up the other end, a swift counter attack saw Jordan Davies cut the ball back to Franklin, who somehow fired over the bar from close range.

Neil Gibson turned to his bench for the first time in the match as Jack Kenny and Declan Poole replaced Luca Hogan and Aron Williams.

Poole nearly made an instant impact as his low ball sailed through to the feet of Franklin, who was left frustrated again after a heavy first touch inside the area allowed Bala defender Nathan Peate to scamper the ball to safety.

A third for The Nomads soon arrived as academy star Jack Burman replaced Franklin in attack.

Burman livened up The Essity Stadium as his slick dribbling posed a threat to the Lakesiders. The teenager almost broke the deadlock late on as his header from Poole’s curling delivery flew narrowly wide of the post.

Jordan Davies burst down the right hand side in search of a late winner, and after cutting onto his left foot, the forward decided to go alone and let fly from the edge of the area, but once again, another effort sailed over the top.

Neither side could find the opening goal despite three minutes of stoppage time, meaning both teams shared the points.

Next Fixture
The Nomads turn their attention to the final day of the JD Cymru Premier campaign as we bid to equal our second-best ever win record in the division with victory over our JD Welsh Cup Final opponents The New Saints.

The match against Saints will take place at Park Hall on Sunday 21 April with a 2:15pm scheduled kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer