Deesiders Seal Semi-Final Spot

Three goals in the first dramatic twenty minutes gave Nomads the springboard to claim a place in the semi-final of the FAW Welsh Cup for the first time since 1998.

Dean Thurston took his place in the starting line-up with Louis Mackin between the posts replacing the cup-tied James McIntosh and goalkeeper Adam McGee respectively. Tom Baker retained the centre-half berth with Andy Alston serving the second of his three match ban.

There was a splendid atmosphere at the Deeside Stadium when the Under-12 players took the field with the two teams, the youngsters carrying their 'Show Racism the Red Card' banners. The sun shone brightly but Nomads found themselves kicking into a strong wind as the game began.

Yet, it was those very conditions that brought Nomads a goal in only the second minute of the game. Tom Baker thumped a long ball upfield that held on the wind and dropped invitingly for Gary O'Toole to round the UWIC 'keeper Tom Edmonds and slot in the opening strike.

If that took the students by surprise, then they were positively rocked back on their heels three minutes later when the home side doubled their advantage. Sent away down the left flank, Alan Hooley crossed invitingly for Stuart Scheuber to stab the ball past Edmonds at his near post.

Connah's Quay could hardly have asked for a better opening and they quickly settled into their passing game with Hooley, Jones and Scheuber prominent in midfield.

UWIC were not helped by an injury to full-back Steve Bowen, the former Aberystwyth Town player, and found themselves three goals down in the 19th minute. The ball found its way to Dean Thurston on the edge of the penalty area and he fairly thumped a left-foot effort past the hapless UWIC custodian.

With little option remaining, the students began to mount attacks prompted largely by Eliot Evans on the left wing and Nomads appeared content to soak up the pressure as the first-half drew to a close. Goalkeeper Mackin was forced into a couple of saves low down before acrobatically tipping a header from UWIC skipper Donal Roughneen over his crossbar following a right-wing corner.

The early part of the second period followed a similar pattern with UWIC pressing forward at every opportunity only for their attacks to founder on the Nomads' defensive line marshalled by McGregor, Baker and Ben Alston. UWIC substitute Kane Smith added a substantial presence to their forward line and he must have thought he had brought his team back into the game only to watch Mackin pull off a tremendous save.

Danny Forde made a welcome return to first team action after three months out and 16 year-old George Baxter enjoyed a highly promising first team debut on the right wing for the last quarter hour.

With time running out, the visitors were caught out at the back by an incisive through ball which allowed Ben Collins to place his shot across Edmonds and watch the ball rebound into the net off the inside of the post.

UWIC will rue their start to the game for it was clear that they would have had much more of a say had they not had such a mountain to climb so early in the proceedings. Nevertheless, they were deservedly applauded from the field by an appreciative crowd.

On the other hand, the Deesiders can look forward to joining Bangor City, The New Saints and Llanelli or Prestatyn Town in Monday's semi-final draw.

NOMADS: Louis Mackin, Ben Alston, Ben Collins, Mark McGregor, Tom Baker, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie (George Baxter 80), Alan Hooley, Gary O'Toole, Dean Thurston (Sam McNutt 71), Stuart Scheuber (Danny Forde 64).
Substitutes not used: Rob Jones and Scott Baker.
Attendance: 227