Nomads exit Cup in TNS defeat

gap Connah’s Quay Nomads were eliminated from the JD Welsh Cup at the Semi Final stage against The New Saints on Saturday afternoon.  Goals deep in the second half from Adrian Cieslewicz, Aeron Edwards and Jamie Mullen sent TNS to the final with a 3-0 victory.

• The Nomads were aiming for their first Welsh Cup final since 1998
• The Nomads played well throughout with early chances for Jay Owen and Kai Edwards
• John Danby saved a Chris Seargeant penalty to keep the game at 0-0
• Two goals in four minutes sent TNS ahead with Mullen adding a third

The game was The Nomads’ sixth meeting with TNS this season, and their second semi final, having met in the Nathaniel MG Cup.  The Nomads came into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Bangor City and notably a 2-1 win over The New Saints themselves.

Andy Morrison selected a starting lineup including Michael Wilde, Les Davies, John Disney and captain George Horan.  Nathan Woolfe and Declan Poole started on the bench, whilst Ryan Wignall was cup-tied for the occasion.

The Nomads took the game well in a fast-paced opening period.  They forced a corner on two minutes, in which George Horan headed over a Lewis Short cross.

One of the best chances of the first half came in the 12th minute, as a Nomads corner fell to Kai Edwards around six yards from the TNS goal, but The Nomads' defender was unable to properly connect with the ball.

The Nomads continued to attack the defending champions with Sean Smith sending an 18 yard effort to goal where keeper Paul Harrison saved.  The New Saints threatened with a free kick just outside of The Nomads’ area, but Seargeant’s effort was met by Danby.

The moment of the first half came in the 33rd minute, when Jay Owen rattled the TNS crossbar with a 10 yard effort after a good move from a Lewis Short throw in.

The Nomads again started the second half brightly, seeing a chance missed when Michael Wilde and Lewis Short couldn’t connect with a low cross-shot from Les Davies with only keeper Paul Harrison to beat.

As the second half went on TNS began to play more in The Nomads' half, but seldom created a major goal scoring opportunity.  But their pressure looked to have paid off when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Mullen, but John Danby denied Chris Seargeant to hand The Nomads a vital lifeline.

The Nomads looked to build on the momentum of Danby’s save, but just a minute later TNS dashed these hopes when Adrian Cieslewicz converted a low cross to score in the 70th minute.  Minutes later Aeron Edwards added his side’s second, dribbling into The Nomads' area to lift an effort past Danby.

Two goals in the space of four minutes stunned a Nomads side who had until then matched The New Saints throughout the semi final.  Callum Morris replaced Michael Wilde after Nathan Woolfe and Declan Poole replaced Matty Williams and an injured Kai Edwards.

But with around 10 minutes to go, The Nomads could do little to stop a TNS side well in control of the game.  Jamie Mullen slotted home in the 81st minute to fully confirm TNS’ place in the JD Welsh Cup Final 2017/18.

The Nomads were left disappointed with the result having performed well for the majority of the game, as the club’s search for a first Welsh Cup final since 1998 goes on.

The Nomads’ sponsor for the game was Rowlands Contracting, a local and national building contractor based in Mold, Flintshire.

The side's attentions now turn to securing Europa League qualification through the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, in which they face TNS again on Friday 7 April for a 7:45pm kick off at Park Hall.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall