Nomads draw with Tudno in live S4C game

Connah’s Quay Nomads played out a 1-1 draw in a live S4C Sgorio fixture on Saturday evening.

• Live Sgorio game ends in draw
• Nathan Woolfe sent Nomads ahead
• A Danny Hughes long range effort brought Llandudno level
• Both sides battled against the elements of Storm Brian

The game was played throughout the challenging conditions of Storm Brian which battered the pitch with heavy rain in the first half and made the players battle with strong winds throughout.

Andy Morrison named an unchanged line up after The Nomads’ late 2-1 win over Carmarthen Town a week earlier.  Former JD Welsh Premier League Player of the Season, Marc Williams started for Llandudno along with The Nomads’ Academy alumni Ryan Edwards.

The game started with attacking play from The Nomads, which nearly yielded a goal in the third minute when goalkeeper Dave Roberts pushed away an effort from Callum Morris from five yards.

Ryan Wignall caused all sorts of problems for Llandudno in the first half, with his rapid runs down the wing creating good chances for Nomads.  Danny Hughes went close for Llandudno in the sixth minute, sending a shot goal wards from eight yards only for John Danby to push the chance wide.

Wignall’s efforts on the left wing paid off 11 minutes into the encounter, when his cross found Nathan Woolfe who, at close range, headed high into the roof of the Llandudno net to send The Nomads 1-0 up.

NATHAN WOOLFE!
Woolfe yn penio'r gôl agoriadol i Gei Connah. | Woolfe heads in the opener for @the_nomads.
??????? pic.twitter.com/C7imNWT2SK

— sgorio (@sgorio) 21 October 2017

The Nomads’ held onto their lead well despite Llandudno actively searching for an equaliser in the first half.  Ryan Wignall made another effective run towards the opposition goal on 20 minutes, but his cross was blocked by a defender.  Toby Jones threatened up front for Llandudno, running onto a long ball which landed in the Nomads area only to be beaten by an out coming John Danby who swept the ball to safety.

After soaking up pressure from Llandudno, The Nomads went close twice in the latter stages of the first half with Kai Edwards heading a cross wide from inside the area and Ryan Wignall sending a tight angled cross wide after a blistering run past the Tudno defence.

Llandudno had one more chance to equalise in the second minute of additional time at the end of the half, with a long effort being spilled by Danby before Ian Kearney cleared to ensure the score stayed 1-0 during the interval.

The Nomads made a substitution at half time, as Mathias Bakare came in for Nathan Woolfe who tweaked his hamstring late in the first half.  Llandudno started the second half determined to find an equaliser, leading to a strong 45 minutes from Alan Morgan’s men. They forced a corner which was cleared before Mike Pearson made a vital tackle against Ryan Edwards on a run into the Nomads’ area.

The away side enjoyed a lot of possession inside the Nomads half, and although Nomads defended well they would be undone by an impressive strike from Danny Hughes on 68 minutes. From around 25 yards out, he struck into the bottom left corner of the Nomads’ net, just beating an outstretched Danby.

DANNY HUGHES!
Hughes yn gorffen yn wych i Landudno gan unioni'r sgôr.
Great goal by @DannyJaggers for @LlandudnoFC's equaliser. pic.twitter.com/kVPtZ495Zd

— sgorio (@sgorio) 21 October 2017

Llandudno’s equaliser meant both sides were in for a tight close to the game as they both sought a winning goal. Nomads forced a deep throw-in in the Llandudno final third, but the resulting cross was missed by Horan who was vying for a headed effort.

The Nomads then made their second substitution, bringing on Jake Phillips in place of George Horan as the home side looked to utilise Phillip’s specialist long range throw ins with score level with 15 minutes to go.

Llandudno continued to try their luck in the Nomads’ area, meaning Ian Kearney had to make a vital tackle inside his own area on 76 minutes before a long ball from Tom Dix was collected by Danby.

With five minutes to go and the score still 1-1, Melford Simpson was introduced in place of Michael Wilde as Nomads looked to Simpson’s size and stature to try and edge a win.

Simpson would be involved at both ends of the pitch, knocking a Phillips throw in wide before heading a Llandudno free kick was taken in a dangerous position on the edge of the Nomads’ area.

After three minutes of additional time, referee Huw Jones signalled for full time leaving both teams with a point. The result maintains Nomads’
unbeaten record at Deeside this season so far, having lost at home just once for the duration of 2017 so far.

Andy Morrison’s men now move onto a midweek derby at Airbus UK in the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter finals, which take place on Tuesday 24 October for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall