Nomads avoid loss to Lakesiders

gap Connah's Quay Nomads survival hopes were saved last night at the Deeside Stadium, where after trailing 1-0 through a Ryan Valentine goal, Michael Hayes hit back in the 82nd minute to clinch a vital point in a 1-1 draw.

This was huge game for Nomads and their last home game of the season, which was also poignant as the game was dedicated to the late club stalwart Gareth Roberts, for whom a minutes silence was held before the game.

Nomads saw another start for Jack Riley, the latest academy product for the first team whilst Luke Holden returned to the squad from suspension. Meanwhile for the Lakesiders, no introduction was needed after last time out against them, superb performances from Mark Connolly and Ashley Morris sealed a 2-0 win.

Nomads knew this was a game they could not lose, as the fight is still very much on at the bottom of the table, with Prestatyn given a golden chance to overtake The Nomads if they were to lose that night.

The game opened as a lively one, with Hayes putting a chance just wide in front of goal after Mark Connolly missed a golden chance after a square ball played to him took him beyond keeper McCormick, but somehow he scuppered his shot.

For the first quarter of the half The Nomads looked to be emerging the stronger side, with chances from Hayes and Holden narrowly missed with the crowd feeling there could really have been a breakthrough with 30 minutes played. Perhaps sensing luck not with the home side, Bala began to build up their play and pressure the Nomads final third, which paid off when a free kick was given which hit the bar, Ryan Valentine scoring off the rebound.

Taking what was a deserved lead after a strong performance towards the end of the half Nomads knew going in at half time they would have to come out a better side for the second half to get anything from their Europa Play Off chasing opponents.

At the end of the first half Gary O'Toole had gone for Lee Healey out of injury and at the start of the second Michael Burns made an appearance in place of Luke Holden. Michael Hayes looked to apply some momentum towards the Ashley Morris's line with a shot that went just above the crossbar. Likewise did Lee Healey, who was causing problems for the Bala defenders with a range of shots that threatened a Nomads equaliser.

As the final 10 minutes were being played in the game it looked as if a positive result was slipping away from Nomads, just then Michael Hayes delivered when after a scramble in the box led to the ball bouncing towards Hayes in the box, who volleyed the ball in to make it 1-1 and save the idea of a disastrous defeat.

Despite both teams still pushing, the full time whistle was blown after 3 minutes injury time sealing a valuable point for Nomads. Now 9th in the table many fans will look onto Nomads position admirably, but it is all still to play for with Prestatyn and Port Talbot still with the opportunity to get points from the likes of Bala and Aberystwyth.

Nomads next and final game will be at the Marstons Stadium, on the 26th April where they will face Afan Lido.

Match Photos