Nomads play out stalemate with students

Connah’s Quay Nomads recorded a 0-0 draw away at Cardiff Metropolitan University in a JD Welsh Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon.

In a meeting between the league’s two best defensive sides, a goalless draw was played out with few major chances.

The Nomads came into the game after a rare set of consecutive losses, as a
2-0 defeat at home to Bangor was followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of The New Saints in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi final.

But The Nomads had good reason to be confident going into the game as they have a formidable South Wales record with manager Andy Morrison undefeated in the South as a manager.

His lineup gave starts to Nathan Woolfe, Matty Williams and Jake Phillips who stepped in due to George Horan serving a suspension.  Phillips was placed as right back alongside a central defensive pairing of Mike Pearson and Kai Edwards.

The opening of the game was even, before Cardiff Met started to try and create chances on goal.  Met’s Chris Baker had an effort go wide from inside the area early on, with The Nomads’ Jake Phillips’ utilising his long range throw-ins to land the ball inside the Met area where Kai Edwards had a half-bicycle effort blocked.

Michael Wilde used his skill and experience to flick a header towards the Met area as a pass to the oncoming Nathan Woolfe, but the ball was collected by Met goalkeeper Will Fuller.

Phillips again sent a throw-in into the Met box on 14 minutes, with Michael Wilde sending a bullet header towards goal which was well caught by Fuller.

Met replied to these chances with a good period of pressure on The Nomads, who kept an effective shape to deal with the home side’s attacks.

The students went closest on 30 minutes, when Roscrow broke free on goal from around seven yards to shoot and have his effort stopped by John Danby.

A number of well placed crosses were sent into The Nomads’ area, but the duo of Edwards and Pearson did well to deal with them.  Whilst Cardiff Met had edged the possession in the first half, The Nomads began to control affairs more after the restart.

In the 52nd minute John Danby launched a free kick up into the Met area, which led to Woolfe having a shot go over from 10 yards.

Both sides continued to nullify each other’s attacks, which was personified in the  62nd minute when a corner ball for The Nomads was countered by Cardiff Met, who were unable to attack as Connah’s Quay won a free kick deep in their own half.

As the game entered its final 20 minutes, Cardiff Met replaced star player Adam Roscrow with Rhys Thomas as The Nomads’ defensive line was showing no signs of stopping its relentless shut down of Cardiff’s game.

Nathan Woolfe created a good chance for The Nomads in the 83rd minute, as his cross was met with a glancing header from Michael Wilde which went wide.

Rhys Thomas had a chance to go one on one with John Danby in the 85th minute as he broke through on the right wing, but Edwards stepped in to block him.

In the 90th minute Michael Bakare replaced Matty Williams and was trusted to take any opportunities in the remaining four additional minutes of injury time, but no chances came as both sides were forced to settle for the draw.

The point maintains The Nomads’ unbeaten record in South Wales so far this season and keeps them fourth in the table, just two points off the 30 point mark.

Who was your man of the match today? The Nomads’ defence put on a great performance...

— Connah's Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) 26 November 2017

They now move onto JD Welsh Cup action, welcoming Welsh Football League side Cwmbran Celtic at Deeside next Saturday 2 December for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall