Nomads end league campaign with point at Aber

Connah’s Quay Nomads closed out their 2024/25 JD Cymru Premier campaign with a point in a 1-1 draw away to Aberystwyth Town on Saturday afternoon.

Rhys Hughes finished off a sweet passing move to score his 15th league goal of the season, but his strike was cancelled out in first half stoppage time as Iwan Lewis intercepted the ball in a dangerous area and found the bottom corner.

The Nomads had numerous chances in the second half to restore their lead, but unfortunately there was to be no second goal, seeing both sides share the points.

Team News
Midfielder Noah Edwards was suspended for this match following his yellow card against Barry Town United last weekend. Therefore, Sam Durrant came back into the side, along with Dan Roberts. Academy star Riley Foster was named amongst the substitutes for the second week running.

Aberystwyth boss Antonio Corbisiero made two changes from his side’s win at Newtown as Jonathan Evans and Alex Darlington replaced Ben Davies and Niall Flint.

First Half
There were no major chances to report from the opening 20 minutes of the contest, but a swift attacking move from the Nomads led to an important opening goal.

Dan Roberts picked out Sam Durrant in a pocket space, which allowed the Sri Lanka international to slip in Rhys Hughes.

Hughes latched onto the ball from a tight angle, but managed to squeeze his shot beyond Seb Osment and narrowly over the line despite the best efforts from Aber captain Jack Thorn to clear the ball.

The Nomads were then forced into two changes in quick succession as injuries to Declan Poole and Chris Marriott saw them replaced by Olly Wright and Aron Williams.

Those substitutions meant there was six minutes of added time at the end of the first half, and in the closing stages of that time, Aberystwyth drew level.

Gwydion Dafis intercepted Wright following the midfielder’s heavy touch and the ball fell to Iwan Lewis, who took the ball beyond Kai Edwards and rolled home into the bottom corner.

Aber went close to taking the lead just a few minutes later when Rico Patterson’s curling free-kick from the edge of the area flew into the side netting.

Second Half
There was a moment to savour for Nomads academy sensation Riley Foster, who came on for his senior debut by replacing Max Woodcock ahead of the restart at Park Avenue.

The Nomads started to apply serious pressure on the Seasiders in the second half. Hughes nearly grabbed his second of the afternoon when his low drive from just outside the area forced a diving save from substitute goalkeeper Dave Jones.

Jones came to Aber’s rescue once again as Fumpa Mwandwe played in Hughes down the right hand side, only for the goalkeeper to keep out the attacker’s powerful effort at the near post.

The Nomads probably should have tested Jones once more late in the day as Wright intercepted John Owen’s loose pass and drove forward. Although he had both Durrant and Hughes either side of him, Wright decided to go alone, but saw his deflected effort tipped over the bar by Jones.

What’s Next?
Our JD Cymru Premier campaign may now be over, but our season is not over as The Nomads still have their eyes set on Europe via the JD Welsh Cup final.

We will face The New Saints at Rodney Parade on Sunday, 4 May (4pm), and if we are victorious, we will not only retain the trophy, but we will also secure European football.

As our league campaign comes to an end, we would like to thank our fans for their loyal support throughout all of our matches this season.

We need every cheer and every voice one more time this season, so we hope to see many of you at Rodney Parade next month!

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer