Edwards and Durrant fire Nomads to win at Barry

Connah’s Quay Nomads returned to winning ways in the JD Cymru Premier in style with a 2-0 victory over Barry Town United at Jenner Park in the Play-Off Conference.

Noah Edwards found the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time with a clinical strike past Liam Armstrong, before our new signing Sam Durrant opened his account for the club late in the day with a neat strike to wrap up an important three points.

The result sees Billy Paynter’s side close the gap to just five points on Play-Off Conference leaders Barry with six matches left to play. The Nomads also became the first team to keep a clean sheet at Jenner Park in any competition this season.

Team News
Ben Nash missed last weekend’s JD Welsh Cup win at Caerau Ely due to suspension, but he slotted straight back into the defence to make his 100th domestic start since returning to the club over two years ago. Kris Owens also made his way back into the starting eleven, while Cameron Ferguson returned to the bench.

Barry Town manager Andy Legg made just one change from his side’s 1-1 draw with Newtown last time out as teenager Owen Cuddihy replaced Michael George.

First Half
Both sides found it hard to settle into the match in the opening half hour at Jenner Park. Barry forward Ollie Hulbert was the only person to go close as his effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, but The Nomads did their job in defence, clearing numerous crosses to keep the scoreline level.

When The Nomads eventually did grow into the match, it resulted in the opening goal through Noah Edwards in the 43rd minute.

A lovely team move saw Edwards control Declan Poole’s cutback and poke home into the bottom corner as the midfielder scored his fifth goal of the season - his best scoring season in Welsh football.

Second Half
The second half proved to be much more open with both teams finally able to create a flurry of chances. Barry were forced into their first change seven minutes after the restart as Will Richards replaced the injured Callum Sainty.

Rhys Hughes, who scored twice on our last visit to Barry, nearly doubled our lead in the 54th minute, but his effort was tipped away by Liam Armstrong. Linnets captain Kayne McLaggon then tried his luck from a tight angle, but he could only find the side netting.

Max Woodcock went close with two chances in quick succession as we entered the midway stage of the second half. The January signing curled wide of the far post, before seeing an almost identical chance denied by the woodwork.

Woodcock was later replaced by the returning Fumpa Mwandwe, while Dan Roberts made way for Sam Durrant.

Barry looked destined to equalise in the 80th minute as Ieuan Owen latched onto a loose ball inside the area and only had George Ratcliffe to beat, however our goalkeeper produced a tremendous diving save to deny Owen, before he quickly reacted to stop Hulbert’s effort on the follow up.

Moments after Ratcliffe made another crucial save to deny Michael George from distance, Durrant wrapped up all three points for The Nomads in stoppage time as he took a pass from Callum Bratley into his stride before picking out the bottom corner with a smart finish to open his account for the club.

What’s Next?
There is a short break next weekend for The Nomads due to the Nathaniel MG Cup final taking place. We return to action on Friday, 7 March against bottom-of-the-table Aberystwyth Town at the Essity Stadium (7:45pm KO)

Match Report by Adam Angerer