Horan heads Nomads to victory at Barry

Connah’s Quay Nomads went second in the JD Welsh Premier League after a 1-0 win away to Barry Town United on Sunday afternoon.

• George Horan headed Nomads in front on 11 minutes
• A professional performance limited Barry’s chances
• Late equaliser attempts from Barry were saved by John Danby
• Nomads go second in the JD Welsh Premier League table

Andy Morrison’s side came into the game looking for a seventh unbeaten game, following recent victories over Newtown and Carmarthen in the league and Bangor City and Airbus in the Nathaniel MG Cup.  Matty Owen, Matty Williams and Sean Smith were all handed starting places with Michael Wilde leading the line for the visiting Nomads who were playing at Jenner Park for the first time since 2004.

Barry Town United omitted captain James Saddler from their lineup but included Jordan Cotterill and danger man Kayne McLaggon.

The game opened evenly, with Barry attempting an early attack when in the third minute Southam sent a cross into the Nomads’ area which was cleared.  The Nomads began to push up field and forced a corner in the ninth minute, which Matty Owen went close from as his delivery was palmed over by goalkeeper Mike Lewis. The second corner went in and this time George Horan was on hand to head home from around eight yards out.

The Nomads capitalised on their lead with some composed play throughout the first half, restricting Barry Town’s chances to give John Danby an undisturbed first 45 minutes.  In the 14th minute Matty Owen threatened once again from a free kick which this time was cleared by the Barry defence. Michael

Wilde was then shown a yellow card after an aerial clash with defender Ryan Evans.  With 20 minutes played Barry Town looked lively, but their play was met by a highly organised Nomads’ defence which nulled any chances for the home side.

When McLaggon was fouled by Callum Morris Barry Town were awarded a free kick 35 yards out from the Nomads’ goal, but the effort hit the wall before Harrison used his experience to head away a Cotterill cross into the away area.

Towards the end of the first half Nomads enjoyed an increased amount of possession in the Barry final third as they looked to double their lead.  Matty Owen went close in a solitary additional minute at the end of the half, shooting wide from around 15 yards out.

After the interval Barry went close to equalising when a Chris Hugh shot hit the Nomads’ left post before Drew Fahiya blasted a follow up effort wide.  Despite this chance, Nomads quickly re-established their hold on the game, forcing a corner in the 52nd minute with a follow up effort found offside.

The game grew physical with Nomads making a number of good challenges in the midfield, leading to Sean Smith being shown a yellow card for what appeared to be an unfortunately timed tackle.

With an hour played Nomads’ were holding their own against a tenacious Barry Town outfit. They won a free kick close to the Nomads’ area, but Matty Williams headed the effort away before John Danby caught a second ball into his area.

Showing trademark solidity the Nomads soaked up the pressure from Barry to pass well inside their own half, using the likes of Callum Morris and Ryan Wignall to try and exploit any gaps in the home defence.  Kai Edwards found himself in front of the Barry goal on a 67th minute counter attack, but he was tackled before he was able to release an effort.

Nomads then made a substitution, replacing Matty Williams with forward Michael Bakare. He was placed to the left of Michael Wilde, and did well on the wing to cause many issues for Barry.

As the game entered its final ten minutes play became increasingly rapid as Gavin Chesterfield’s side searched for a late goal.  On 81 minutes Nomads nearly doubled their lead in the same fashion as their first goal, when Michael Wilde rattled the crossbar with a header from a Matty Owen corner. This chance forced a second corner from which Matty Owen shot wide from 20 yards out.

Ryan Wignall continued his threatening form as he made multiple runs down Barry’s right wing, forcing Mike Lewis to make a save with a 10 yard angled effort.  Nomads were controlling the game as the clock began to run down, but Barry, who were running out of time, went close on 90 minutes when substitute Louis Gerrard made Danby make a low save on 90 minutes.

Nomads used experience from their reputable away record in South Wales to see out three additional minutes at the end of the game, replacing Ryan Wignall with Melford Simpson in a substitution which led to a yellow card as Wignall was booked for not leaving the field quickly enough.

It was last chance saloon for Barry on 90+4 minutes as they won a corner, but this went out for a Nomads goal kick which was succeeded by the full time whistle from referee Kevin Parry.

The victory marks Nomads’ seventh consecutive game undefeated in all competitions, and the three points moves them to second in the table three points behind league leaders TNS.

Connah’s Quay now move onto a Friday night JD Welsh Premier League fixture at Deeside, welcoming Prestatyn Town on 3 November for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall