Horan heads late in Deeside Draw

Saturday afternoon saw Connah Quay Nomads earn a point in a home clash against Port Talbot Town with goals from Martin Rose in the 54th minute and George Horan in the 95th.

Deeside welcomed Port Talbot Town for a game full of expectation for both sides. The Nomads were hoping to continue their good form of two away wins whilst Talbot had confidence after a 3-0 defeat of Rhyl.  The line up for The Nomads was identical to the side who were victorious against Bangor, whilst Port Talbot started their brightest attackers in Reffell, Bowen and Martin Rose.

The game began with a bang with Nomads' captain George Horan sending a threatening cross into the box but no one was there to capitalise on it.  One of the best chances of the game came early on for The Nomads when O’Toole set up Miller into a 1-on-1 situation with the 'keeper, and The Nomads No.17 shooting just wide of the goal.  Minutes later, Reffell – who would be a key player in terms of beginning attacks for Port Talbot – set up Rose who couldn’t get his shot away.

The game settled with play fairly even between both sides, who were playing from the back wary of opening themselves up.  Horan had a number of aerial chances in the game, the first of which went over from a set piece.  The Nomads enjoyed another good chance with Gary Roberts finding space in the box to hit his shot straight at Steven Cann who also easily saved a looping Steve Evans header.

Reffell was in the centre of the action for Port Talbot, playing a ball from the left wing through to the oncoming Casey Thomas who hit the ball over the crossbar. Reffell again made a great run overseeing challenges from three of The Nomads' defenders, until his possession was finally stopped by the sweeping McCormick.

This was a period in the middle of the first half which saw Port Talbot be the attacking side.

At half time there was only a handful of major chances to look upon, with both teams solid and settled in their approach to the game. The Nomads were playing the ball well up front, where they were challenged by a physical defence from Port Talbot.

The second half again started quickly, with The Nomads seeing more of the ball up front.  Ricky Evans was brought down in a box scuffle for an oncoming free kick from Gary Roberts, however referee Mark Petch waved penalty shouts away.

Port Talbot got the lead against the run of play, with Martin Rose getting a free header from a cross to send the ball looping over McCormick and into the net. Confident from their opener, Luke Bowen then had a shot go just wide for Port Talbot.

After receiving treatment earlier in the half, Gary O’Toole made way for academy product Sean Cookson.  The Nomads may have found the equaliser earlier in the game had a bicycle effort from Miller hit the target.  Terry McCormick was then in focus, making a great sweeping save to deny Luke Bowen.

Sean Cookson then made a great tackle against Chad Bond, who with two other team mates had got The Nomads on the back foot on the counter attack. Cookson made up the yards and slid in to dispossess Bond just before he was going to put the shot away. Due to injury Cookson would then leave the field with Anthony Stanton replacing him.  The Nomads had been attacking with no success for a while in the second half, groans coming out of Deeside Stadium when Horan sent his header inches wide of the goal. 

With five minutes of injury time, The Nomads kept on pushing and were rewarded in the death of the game.  Horan rose up for his 'umpteenth' header of the game, hitting the ball low through the legs of 'keeper Steven Cann to earn a point for Nomads in dramatic fashion. A minute later, Referee Mark Petch signalled for full time ending a well contested game by both sides.

In what had long seemed a game that The Nomads were not going to succeed in, the team persisted against a resilient Port Talbot defence to win a well earned point, placing them in 10th position in the table with 10 points.

The Nomads continue their season with another home game against 11th placed Prestatyn Town, taking place live on TV channel S4C on Sunday 9th November.

Photos courtesy of Taylor's Photography

Match Photos