Nomads exit Conference League after heartbreaking extra time defeat

Connah’s Quay Nomads bowed out of the UEFA Europa Conference League after NK Bravo striker Matej Poplatnik scored a late winner in extra time to earn his side a 2-0 win at Nantporth stadium, which saw them progress with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.

The Nomads were four minutes away from progressing in normal time, but Nemanja Jaksic popped up with a late leveller to send the tie to extra time.

The match looked to be heading for a penalty shootout after some cagey moments in extra time, but the deciding goal came in the 116th minute as Poplatnik headed home from Tais Sabotic’s cross.

The Nomads came into this match with a 1-0 first leg lead after Ben Maher scored a late volley in Slovenia last week, which saw the club earn their third ever away win in Europe, following on from victories against Stabaek and Kilmarnock in 2016 and 2019 respectively.

Team News
Following impressive performances in all areas of the pitch in the first leg last Thursday, Nomads boss Neil Gibson named an unchanged starting eleven and an unchanged bench.

NK Bravo manager Ales Arnol made just one change to his side as Lan Stravs replaced Beno Selan in midfield. Young forward Victor Gidado, who was on the bench last week, was absent from the squad.

First Half
Both sides had their fair share of chances in the opening 15 minutes of the match with The Nomads coming closest through attacking duo Harry Franklin and Jack Kenny.

Franklin used his pace to beat his marker down the left hand side, which allowed him to try and find Kenny with a square ball. He was able to find space for the cross, but a last ditch interception from Miguel Rodrigues meant Bravo survived.

The visitors thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after Mark Spanring went to ground following a challenge from Callum Bratley, however, the referee was quick to dismiss the appeals.

Bravo enjoyed most of the possession towards the latter stages of the first half, but they were wasteful with their opportunities in the final third as efforts from Martin Pecar and Matej Poplatnik proved to be comfortable saves for George Ratcliffe.

Poplatnik continued to pose a threat, and just moments before the half time whistle, he had the best chance of the half. The Slovenian international was found unmarked inside the area, but he could only send his header onto the top of the crossbar, meaning the scoreline remained goalless.

Second Half
The Nomads were forced into their first substitution at the restart as an injury to Callum Bratley meant he was replaced by last week’s match winner Ben Maher in midfield.

Four minutes into the half, The Nomads were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty after Aron Williams’ cross appeared to have struck the arm of Jovan. Although the Bravo player had his arm in an unnatural position, the referee still waved away the claims.

A second substitution arrived for The Nomads on the hour mark as Elliott Dugan replaced Jack Kenny up front.

Dugan almost made an instant impact as he appeared to be dragged down inside the area, but once again the referee was quick to dismiss the penalty appeals.

In one of the most bizarre moments of the match, Bravo goalkeeper Matija Orbanic decided to rush out from his area and run all the way into the opposite half. He was not closed down and was invited to shoot, but his eventual strike from distance did not trouble Ratcliffe at all.

Bravo continued to apply pressure in search of the equaliser but were wasteful with a flurry of chances. Jakoslav Stankovic’s fierce shot was tremendously blocked by Kai Edwards before Martin Pecar’s curling effort flew over the bar despite the attacker having time and space on his hands.

The visitors did eventually make the most of an attack as they levelled the aggregate scoreline in the 88th minute through Nemanja Jaksic. Matic Ivansek found Jaksic with a low ball and the Bravo defender fired into the roof of the net from close range to frustrate The Nomads and send the tie to extra time.

Extra Time
The first half of extra time proved to be cagey as both sides were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Bravo had the better of possession and threatened more on the attack, but The Nomads defended well to see out the danger.

Youngsters Luca Hogan and Jack Burman came off the bench for their European debuts as The Nomads looked to provide fresh legs in the closing stages.

The duo gave The Nomads a late burst of energy, but there was to be late heartbreak as Bravo striker Poplatnik popped up with a 116th minute header to put his side ahead on aggregate with around four minutes to play.

Substitute Tais Sabotic’s curling cross reached an unmarked Poplatnik, who won an aerial duel against Ratcliffe to nod the ball into the back of the net and send the Slovenians into wild celebrations.

The Nomads gave it their all in search of a late equaliser, but the final whistle was blown, therefore ending the UEFA Europa Conference League campaign for Neil Gibson’s side.

Bravo won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and they will now face HSK Zrinjski Mostar in the second qualifying round next week.

It was a cruel ending to the match, but we thank all of our fans for their support in both legs at Ljubljana and Nantporth and we hope to see you all again when the domestic season begins in August.

What’s next?
Elimination from Europe means The Nomads now turn their full focus to the domestic season, which begins with a Nathaniel MG Cup second round tie against Prestatyn Town or Buckley Town on the weekend of 2-4 August. One week after that cup clash, our JD Cymru Premier campaign gets underway against Haverfordwest County on 11 August at the Essity Stadium.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer