Nomads beat Robins in live Sgorio match

Connah’s Quay Nomads recorded a 1-0 win over Newtown in a live S4C Sgorio game on Saturday evening.  A second half Callum Morris goal was enough to give The Nomads the victory which sends them to second in the JD Welsh Premier League table.

• Brothers Michael and Matthias Bakare handed first starts
• Callum Morris’ 61st minute goal allowed in controversial circumstances
• Ian Kearney returned from injury to captain side

The Nomads came into the game after a busy week, in which they had defeated Cardiff Met 1-0 at home before succumbing to a 1-0 loss at Bangor City in a midweek fixture.

George Horan, who was suspended after receiving two yellow cards at Bangor, was replaced by Ian Kearney who started in a game for the first time in nearly 12 months after a serious knee injury. He donned the captain’s armband on his return.

Also starting were brothers Michael and Mathias Bakare who sought to cause issues for Newtown throughout the game.  The home side started the likes of ex-Nomad Nick Rushton and ex-TNS and Llandudno forward, Jamie Reed.

The game started evenly, with both sides looking to make a good account of themselves in front of the live Sgorio cameras.  In the opening minutes, Nathan Woolfe sent a good cross into the Newtown area, before Michael Bakare nearly lobbed keeper David Jones who managed to get a hand to the ball and recover it.

Mathias Bakare then showed off his skill on the right wing, beating a Newtown defender before sending a cross into the area which glanced across the Newtown goal.

Jamie Reed showed good strength and power to go on a surging run up field on 26 minutes, and although he went down in the Nomads’ area, any penalty appeals were waved away by referee Kevin Parry.

Using the pace of the likes of Nathan Woolfe and Mathias Bakare, The Nomads enjoyed a good spell of possession inside the Newtown half but couldn’t convert this into any clean cut chances.

With the scores still level at 0-0, Newtown sought an opener before the break with what was the probably the best chance of the half from Nick Rushton.

Racing down the left wing he went eight yards in front of The Nomads' goal to shoot, but John Danby pulled off an excellent low save to keep his clean sheet intact on 43 minutes.

Half time saw Andy Morrison make a change, with Mathias Bakare replaced by fellow full time player Jake Phillips.  He got involved immediately, making a vital off the line block to deny Rushton a goal from a close ranger header after a Newtown throw in.

Phillips then threatened the Newtown goal with one of his long range throw-ins, but this was countered by Newtown leading to Jamie Reed hitting the post from a tight angle.

The Nomads went in front when a Callum Morris shot was adjuded to have crossed the Newtown goal line, validated by the nearest linesman who gave referee Kevin Parry the nod to award the goal.

Morris’ volley went past keeper Jones, and although Newtown defender Jamie Price attempted an off the line clearance, the ball was deemed to have already crossed the line. While controversial, The Nomads had their much sought after lead.

CALLUM MORRIS!

Gôl ddadleuol i Gei Connah. | A controversial goal for @the_nomads - was it over the line?

Y Drenewydd 0-1 Cei Connah pic.twitter.com/FrDGw0JbBK

— sgorio (@sgorio) 30 September 2017

Michael Bakare was replaced by Matty Owen with around 20 minutes left to play as Nomads looked to solidly defend their lead.  Newtown stayed well in the game and put the Nomads under an increasing amount of pressure towards the end of the encounter.

Joe Heath was forced to make a block on the by line before defending a corner before Luke Boundford sent a shot wide in a good position inside the Nomads’ area.

Ian Kearney, who enjoyed a strong performance in his full return to action, made a vital challenge on Jamie Reed who was again trying to get sight on goal in the 83rd minute.  Kearney’s tackle earned Newtown a free kick, which was sent just wide by Price.

With five minutes left on the clock Ryan Kershaw came close to equalising for the Robins, sending a low shot towards goal from close range only for Danby to make another vital stop.

The Nomads’ final change saw Nathan Woolfe come off for Sean Smith as the Nomads’ were handed three minutes of injury time to hold on for the win.

Danby was again called into action as Newtown forced a succession of corners, seeing The Nomads' goalkeeper make a succession of punches to clear the ball in a packed area.

Whilst frantically paced, The Nomads survived Newtown’s last onslaughts and their three points were secured upon full time.  The win sends The Nomads into second place in the league table on goal difference.

The Nomads move onto midweek Nathaniel MG Cup action, welcoming JD Welsh Premier rivals Bangor City to Deeside on Tuesday 3 October for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall