Super sub Poole secures victory over Champions

gap Connah’s Quay Nomads moved in to second place in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League on Tuesday evening following a 2-1 victory over league champions, The New Saints.      

• The Nomads started the game well but James Jones sent TNS ahead
• John Disney equalised for Nomads in the 75th minute
• A stunning strike from Declan Poole clinched the win
• The result moves The Nomads up to second in the table

The game was much anticipated as the first clash of three between The Nomads and TNS, including a JD Welsh Cup semi final in under two week’s time.  The Nomads came into the game in good form, having won their previous two games, knowing a victory would send them second in the table level on points with Bala Town.

The Nomads started with the returning Nathan Woolfe and Ryan Wignall, while Michael Wilde made his 250th Welsh Premier League start against his former side. Meanwhile, The New Saints included Ryan Brobbel, Wes Fletcher and Scott Quigley in their starting lineup.

It was The Nomads who took the upper hand in the early stages of the game, having chances through Wignall and Woolfe who both saw shots from inside the TNS area go wide.

George Horan had one of the chances of the half on 20 minutes, heading just wide from a corner, but he was forced off the field five minutes later with a cut to the head, a move which saw Lewis Short come on in his place.

The New Saints then took the lead via a 33rd minute James Jones goal.
After a TNS corner, The Nomads made one clearance off the line before Jones struck a powerful effort high into the goal.

TNS held their lead until half time, leaving The Nomads disappointed to be trailing despite dominating large parts of the first half.  The Nomads made their second substitution of the game at half time, bringing on Les Davies for Sean Smith.

The Nomads once again started the second half well, and created a number of good chances without finding a clinical finish.  Michael Wilde dribbled into the TNS area, but was edged out of goal sight by the defence.  Wilde then saw a header from a Woolfe cross saved as the Saints battled to keep their clean sheet.

With over an hour played, The Nomads were beginning to rue their luck in front of goal, when both Michael Wilde and Les Davies had headers go agonisingly wide. Nathan Woolfe was brought off for Declan Poole in a substitution which would go on to win the game for Nomads.

The Nomads persisted with their attacks on the TNS goal and finally broke through in the 75th minute.  From a Declan Poole cross, the ball fell to John Disney who sent a strike into the top left corner of the net, giving The Nomads their much deserved equaliser.

But The Nomads onslaught on the TNS end continued, with bursting attacks from the likes of Wignall and Callum Morris.  On 82 minutes, The Nomads were rewarded for their persistent attacks, when Declan Poole sent a stunning volley in off the bar, sending the home support into raptures.

If you’re gonna beat the champions, you might as well do it in style! What a hit by Declan Poole @the_nomads https://t.co/QsYwGvyd8W

— sgorio (@sgorio) March 22, 2017

The Nomads fought to hold onto their valuable lead, and successfully saw the remainder of the game out whilst maintaining control of the game.

The result sends The Nomads up to second in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, and boosts the side heading into their next fixture against Bangor City for a 2:30pm kick off at Deeside Stadium on Saturday 25 March.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall