Nomads take slender lead into second leg

CONNAH'S Quay take a slender but deserved lead to Treflan in two weeks' time after Darren Williams broke the deadlock with five minutes remaining.

Neither side was able to create much in the way of scoring opportunities in a game dominated by defences.

But after having much the better of the second-half possession, Nomads converted from a succession of corners.

Skipper Gareth Owen swung the ball in from the left and Williams was first to react at the near post to beat Gerard Doherty.

With his squad depleted by injuries, 44-year old TNS manager Ken McKenna made his first appearance in four years as a late second-half substitute. Home keeper Lee Williams was rarely tested in the first-half, a Scott Ruscoe free kick after 20 minutes about the only TNS shot on target.

Dean Tuft shot wide for Quay after a good move with Owen and Doherty pulled out a good save to deny Jamie Holmes after a flowing move involving Stuart Rain and Tommy Mutton.

Chris King fired wide four minutes after the break, but Saints were pinned back for much of the time and Darren Williams missed a golden chance to put Nomads in front when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

John Toner could have done better when he burst down the right flank but failed to find Marc Lloyd-Williams in space before Doherty again came to Saints' rescue with another good save, this time from Mutton.

Stuart Cooke almost made an impression with his first touch after coming off the bench, but sent his shot over the bar.

Mutton could have added to Nomads' lead but hit the post from Cooke's lay-off to leave the tie finely poised for the second leg.

Photo and report courtesy of welsh-premier.com