Hughes strikes as Paynter era begins with derby day delight

Billy Paynter got off to a flying start as new Connah’s Quay Nomads manager as Rhys Hughes’ second half goal secured a 1-0 victory over local rivals Flint Town United in the JD Cymru Premier.

The victory marked our first victory of the new league campaign after our opening two matches ended in a 1-0 loss to Haverfordwest County and a 1-1 draw against Aberystwyth Town.

Hughes’ winning moment arrived midway through the second half as the summer signing met Luca Hogan’s low cross at the back post and emphatically fired home to give Paynter his first win on his first match in charge.

Team News
Paynter’s first lineup as Nomads manager saw two changes from our 1-1 draw with Aberystwyth 10 days ago.

Jack Kenny returned from injury to make his first start of the domestic season while teenager Tyler Berry, who has impressed recently, earned his first JD Cymru Premier start for the club. Aron Williams dropped to the bench while Elliott Dugan missed out on the squad through injury.

Flint boss Lee Fowler made two changes to his side that lost 2-0 to Bala Town on Friday night as Ben Wynne and Michael Burke replaced Harley Brindley-Peagram and George Maire.

First Half
Both goalkeepers were tested in the early stages as Flint striker Florian Yonsian saw his strike comfortably saved by George Ratcliffe before Fumpa Mwandwe’s curling effort was stopped by Jack Flint.

The first major opportunity of the match fell to Noah Edwards, whose low drive aimed towards the bottom corner forced Flint into a diving save.

Ratcliffe was called into action on two more occasions within as many minutes as we reached the midway stage of the first half. A free kick from Jake Phillips fell kindly back out to Ben Wynne on the edge of the area, but his tame effort was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper. Yonsian had another opportunity to break the deadlock, but Ratcliffe was equal to his attempt from a seriously tight angle.

Youngster Tyler Berry had a glorious chance to open the scoring as he met Chris Marriott’s cross at the back post, but could only send his header from close range over the crossbar.

The Nomads continued to dominate possession and probably should have taken the lead through Rhys Hughes in the 38th minute. Hughes was played through one-on-one with Jack Flint, but was unable to convert his effort as the goalkeeper produced a diving save.

Second Half
It was a quiet start to the second half at the Essity Stadium with neither goalkeeper being tested. The only slight opportunities fell to Fumpa and Declan Poole, who both curled their strikes over the bar, untroubling Jack Flint.

There was a double change for The Nomads on the hour mark as Luca Hogan and Aron Williams replaced Jack Kenny and Tyler Berry.

Hogan made an instant impact off the bench as he assisted the opening goal, which arrived in the 64th minute. Hogan was played through down the byline and sent a low ball across the face of goal, which fell all the way to Rhys Hughes, who sent a powerful strike from close range into the bottom corner to open his account for the club.

Hogan nearly turned provider into goalscorer 10 minutes later, but a heavy touch inside the area allowed goalkeeper Flint to safely collect and end the attack.

Aron Williams nearly doubled the lead with 77 minutes on the clock as his attempt from inside the area rolled onto the post. Fumpa kept the attack alive and laid the ball off to Hogan, but the substitute’s strike was straight at Flint.

The Silkmen began to apply late pressure in search of an equaliser, but George Ratcliffe was on top form to keep his clean sheet alive. A corner from the hosts led to a goalmouth scramble, which looked to be trickling into the far corner, but Ratcliffe managed to tip the ball away at full stretch.

Flint striker Yonsian looked to be going through on goal when he controlled a long ball upfield in stoppage time, but a tremendous interception from Chris Marriott ended the attack and eased the late pressure.

The Nomads were able to frustrate their opponents by defending numerous attacks in stoppage time and the final whistle was later blown by the referee, seeing Hughes’ goal give The Nomads a precious three points.

What’s Next?
We face our first trip to South Wales next weekend as we travel to newly-promoted Briton Ferry Llansawel in the JD Cymru Premier.

Our match against Ferry will take place on Saturday, 31 August and will kick off at 2:30pm.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer