Nomads forced to settle for point in Jenner Park stalemate

Connah’s Quay Nomads were forced to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw against Barry Town United in the JD Cymru Premier at Jenner Park on Saturday.

Nomads created opportunities throughout the whole contest, with Rhys Hughes, Max Woodcock and Callum West all going close, but John Disney’s side were unable to find a way past George Ratcliffe.

The result gives us our first clean sheet in September, and a point was enough to take us into the top six, but we will be hoping for a return to winning ways next month.

Team News
Ben Nash sustained an injury in training and was therefore replaced by Dan Cowan in the first of four Nomads changes. Harry Franklin, Abdi Sharif and Jacob Cook also returned to the starting lineup as they replaced Callum West, Marco Fregapane and Zeli Ismail.

There was a family affair for our goalkeeper Kit Margetson as he faced off against his brother Ben, while Jack Kenny made his 100th appearance for the Nomads in domestic competition.

Barry manager Steve Jenkins made three changes from his side’s 3-2 win over Haverfordwest County as Ieuan Owen, Dan Barton and George Ratcliffe replaced Morgan Wigley, Keston Davies and Joe Thomas.

First Half
The Nomads enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages of the contest with Kai Edwards sending pinpoint long passes over the top to Harry Franklin and Abdi Sharif, who were both unable to fully gain control of the ball.

Ieuan Owen raced onto a bouncing ball outside the area and tried to catch out Margetson with a lob, but our goalkeeper stood tall and made a comfortable catch.

Six minutes after Ryan Kavanagh was booked for a foul on Cook midfield, the Nomads had a great chance to test Ratcliffe when Rhys Hughes pulled a low ball back across the box, however nobody was there to get a shot away.

Second Half
Sharif came close to his first Nomads goal eight minutes into the second half as he received Noah Edwards’ pass, drove forward and let fly from distance, only for his effort to be tipped away by Ratcliffe.

Hughes went even closer for the Nomads in the 57th minute as he ran into Jack Kenny’s through ball and cut inside onto his favoured right foot before sending a low drive inches past the far post.

Cowan then retrieved the ball from Hughes’ and forced the Barry defence into a crucial block with his effort from a tight angle.

Margetson rushed off his line and did well to deny Owen a sight of goal, before Ollie Hulbert’s audacious lob seconds later flew over the bar.

The goalkeeper continued to be on top form in south Wales as he made a tremendous diving save to keep out Robbie Willmott’s sweetly struck volley.

Substitutes Max Woodcock and Callum West both had opportunities to bag a late winner in the closing stages at Jenner Park.

Woodcock received Cook’s through ball and cut inside, but his fierce effort was somehow tipped over the bar by Ratcliffe. West’s low driven shot on the edge of the area was also stopped by the Barry goalkeeper.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added on by the fourth official, but neither side were able to find a late breakthrough, meaning the points were shared.

What’s Next?
The Nomads are back on home turf next Saturday (4th October) as we host Llanelli Town at the Essity Stadium. Please note the slightly earlier 2:00pm kick-off time.

Our last meeting against Llanelli came in last season’s JD Welsh Cup semi-final, where quickfire goals from Max Woodcock and Callum Bratley earned us a 2-1 comeback victory.

Match Report by Adam Angerer