Nomads up to fourth with emphatic win over Llanelli

Connah’s Quay Nomads moved up to fourth in the JD Cymru Premier table after goals from Jacob Cook, Callum West and Harry Franklin secured a 3-0 win over Llanelli Town at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.

The Nomads came agonisingly close through West’s effort from distance which struck the post and Ben Nash’s disallowed goal from close range. However, the opener eventually arrived on the stroke of half time as Cook poked the ball home on the goal-line.

John Disney’s side continued to dominate after the restart, and it was sublime strikes from West and Franklin outside the area which wrapped up a convincing win.

Team News
Disney was forced into five changes from last weekend’s goalless draw with Barry Town United as injuries to Chris Marriott, Abdi Sharif and Jack Kenny meant they were replaced by Marco Fregapane, Callum West and Jason Oswell.

Dan Cowan was serving his one-match suspension, but Ben Nash made his return from injury to slot in at centre-back and captain the side in Marriott’s absence. Max Woodcock also replaced Harry Franklin in attack, while Callum Bratley, Andrew Buah and James Hughes returned to the bench.

Llanelli manager Lee John made two changes from his side’s 1-0 win over Haverfordwest County last time out as Rio Booth and Jamie Baker replaced Danny Williams and James Parry.

First Half
The Nomads immediately took firm control of the contest as Noah Edwards’ first-time effort from just inside the area was tipped away by Alex Pennock, before West’s strike from distance was denied by the post.

Cook and Declan Poole then each put dangerous low balls into the box, but nobody was able to get the all-important touch to divert the ball goalwards.

Nash thought he had put the Nomads ahead in the 44th minute as he tapped beyond Pennock at his near post, but the defender was deemed to be in an offside and therefore, the goal was ruled out.

However, the mood soon changed as Jacob Cook opened the scoring in the first minute of added time. West’s corner flew all the way over to Nash, whose touch back into the six-yard box was tapped home on the line by Cook for the 18-year-old’s first Nomads goal.

Second Half
Oswell nearly marked his first league start since August with a goal on the hour mark as his header from West’s free-kick was tipped away by Pennock.

However, Pennock stood no chance of saving West’s sublime strike six minutes later as the attacker cut inside onto his favoured left foot and curled beautifully into the far corner for his first goal for the Nomads on home turf.

Franklin was introduced in place of Oswell late in the day and the substitute made an instant impact just eight minutes after his introduction as he sent an unstoppable shot beyond Pennock from distance.

Two more changes arrived in stoppage time as Callum Bratley made his return from injury by replacing Rhys Hughes, while talented Steven Gerrard Academy scholar James Hughes replaced our first scorer Cook to gain more senior experience.

Both men helped see out the closing stages, with Kit Margetson hardly facing any trouble all game. The result was the Nomads’ biggest league victory under John Disney, and his side are now up to fourth in the table.

What’s Next?
It is a quick turnaround for the Nomads as we travel to face Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Tuesday, 7 October (7:45pm KO)

The Nomads will be seeking revenge for the 3-1 loss to the Lakesiders last month. We wish a safe journey down to all our travelling supporters as we aim to build on our recent bright form!

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer