gap Connah’s Quay Nomads secured UEFA Europa League qualification for the second successive season on Friday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Bala Town at Deeside Stadium.
A George Horan goal sent Nomads ahead in the first half, before an own goal nine minutes from full time confirmed The Nomads’ win and place in the UEFA Europa League for the 2017/18 campaign.
The Nomads went into the game needing a minimum of a point to secure Europe as they were still being chased by fourth placed Bangor City with two games to go.
Matty Owen and Declan Poole retained places in Andy Morrison’s lineup, as Michael Wilde and Les Davies were forced to sit out with injuries. Bala meanwhile, started Kieran Smith, Chris Venables and former Nomad Mike Hayes.
The Nomads started the game well, attacking the Bala end through Ryan Wignall and Lewis Short, who consistently threatened with his trademark long throw-in’s into the Bala area.
After an initially quiet start to the game, Bala became more active, with Anthony Stephens attempting to catch John Danby off his line with a 45 yard effort which went wide on 15 minutes.
On 24 minutes, Lewis Short took a deep throw in in the Bala half which reached the centre of the area where George Horan headed home to send The Nomads 1-0 up. Although goalkeeper Ashley Morris did catch the ball, it was already adjudged to have crossed the line which was confirmed by the assistant referee.
After taking the lead, The Nomads sought to assert their authority on the game and did so by continuing to test Bala.
Declan Poole made a series of good runs down the wing, and The Nomads came closest to a second in the first half when Matty Owen was denied a goal directly from a corner as he saw his effort cleared off the line.
Bala remained dangerous in front of goal, and nearly equalised on 38 minutes when Kieran Smith headed wide from around seven yards in front of John Danby.
The Nomads started off the second half with a substitution, as Sean Smith who suffered a blow to the face just before the half time whistle was repalced by Wes Baynes.
The second half got off to a similar start as the first, as The Nomads sought chances which saw Callum Morris denied by goalkeeper Ashley Morris from around eight yards out on 54 minutes.
A second goal continued to evade The Nomads despite their good chances, as Ryan Wignall sliced an effort wide inside the Bala six yard area just before the hour mark.
JD Welsh Cup finalists Bala were ever-dangerous on the attack, proving so when a Kieran Smith free kick from 30 yards went just wide into the side netting.
Despite Bala's pressure, The Nomads held their nerve, with strong tackles from Jay Owen, George Horan and Callum Morris keeping the Lakesiders at bay.
The Nomads all but sealed victory nine minutes from the end of normal time, when a rocketing long throw from Lewis Short was headed into the Bala goal by defender Stuart Jones.
With a 2-0 goal lead and just minutes to play out, The Nomads topped off a brilliant performance by seeing the game out professionally.
After three minutes of additional time, referee Lee Evans blew the full time whistle to confirm The Nomads' victory and their place in the UEFA Europa League.
The Nomads have achieved their season objective of European qualification, but move onto their final game of the season at Cardiff Met, where victory will mean a highest ever finish of second place and entry into the Irn Bru cup.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Friday 14th April 2017
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Venue: Essity Stadium, Flint, Wales
Attendance: 286
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