Nomads edge past Robins for sixth straight win

Connah’s Quay Nomads secured their sixth straight victory in all competitions as goals from Rhys Hughes, Jack Kenny and Ben Nash earned a 3-2 win over Newtown at Latham Park in the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference on Friday night.

Hughes calmly converted from the penalty spot to get things rolling, before a clever backheel from Jack Kenny put us two goals to the good at half time.

Desean Martin gave Newtown a lifeline early in the second half, but Ben Nash marked his return to the lineup with a goal to restore our two-goal cushion.

Jason Oswell halved the deficit for the Robins with his header, but there was to be no late drama as Nomads held on to claim an important victory, which keeps us firmly in the race for seventh place in the Play-Off Conference.

Team News
Ben Nash and Noah Edwards both made their way back into the starting lineup following suspensions. Sam Durrant was absent from the squad due to his international duties with Sri Lanka, while Fumpa Mwandwe missed out through a new injury sustained in our JD Welsh Cup semi-final over Llanelli Town last weekend.

Newtown manager Callum McKenzie made three changes from his side’s 1-1 draw with Newtown as Samuel Ussher, Ollie Sharp and James Rainbird replaced Julian Schwarzer-Garcia, Rackeem Reid and Zeli Ismael.

First Half
The first major chance of the match fell to Newtown forward Jason Oswell, who forced an important diving save from George Ratcliffe with his close-range header after just four minutes played.

The Nomads eventually settled into the contest, and nearly took the lead on 14 minutes when Jack Kenny’s effort from Max Woodcock’s square ball was saved by the outstretched Samuel Ussher.

Seconds later, Nomads got even closer to the opening goal as Woodcock rose highest to meet Noah Edwards’ teasing cross, but saw his effort tipped over the bar by Ussher.

However, it would not be long before Nomads did eventually find the breakthrough as a late challenge from Craig Williams on Noah Edwards saw the referee point straight to the spot with no hesitation.

Rhys Hughes stepped up from the spot and made no mistake in sending Ussher the wrong way and finding the bottom corner for his 14th league goal of the season.

Callum Bratley, who was the match winner from our cup win over Llanelli last weekend, nearly made it two goals in two games when his fierce volley on the edge of the area flew inches wide of the post.

However, the lead would soon be doubled through Kenny on the stroke of half time. The striker brought down Declan Poole’s cross inside the area, held off his marker and managed to find the bottom corner with a clever backheel for his eighth goal of the season.

Second Half
Newtown halved the deficit 11 minutes into the second half through Desean Martin, who received a pass from Aaron Williams and fired home into the far corner to give the Robins a lifeline.

However, Nomads quickly restored their two-goal cushion through Ben Nash, who marked his return to the lineup with an important goal.

Newtown scorer Martin was booked for a foul on Hughes, and the former Cymru U21 international delivered a pinpoint ball towards the back post, which was guided home by Nash, as the defender grabbed his first goal since November - also away to Newtown.

Moments after Billy Paynter made his first switch - Dan Roberts replacing Woodcock - Newtown managed to claw a goal back once again, this time through Oswell, who headed home from Williams’ cross.

Noah Edwards probably should have added his name to the Nomads scoresheet on 74 minutes, but his drilled first-time effort from Hughes’ pull-back flew wide of the bottom corner.

Nomads did extremely well to deal with any pressure arriving with Newtown, before launching a dangerous counter-attack, which almost resulted in a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Hughes combined with Poole down the right hand side, and the latter raced into the box, but Ussher was equal to his strike at the near post.

Nonetheless, Nomads were able to see out the closing stages to wrap up a vital victory on the road - one that keeps us on the tails of Barry Town United, who currently sit in the all-important seventh spot in the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference.

What’s Next?
We aim to continue our bright form next Saturday (29 March) as Nomads visit South Wales to face Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Renewable Centre Stadium (2:30pm KO)

Our Phase One fixture at Ferry was our biggest victory on the road this season to date as we stormed to a 5-1 comeback win in August.

Match Report by Adam Angerer