Nomads go joint-top after Prestatyn win

Connah’s Quay Nomads came out 2-1 victors against Prestatyn Town in the JD Welsh Premier League at Deeside Stadium on Friday evening.

• The victory keeps Nomads second in the table
• Kai Edwards headed Nomads in front
• A long range Michael Bakare effort doubled their lead
• Alec Williams scored for Prestatyn to make for a tense finish

The Nomads came into the game in a rich vein of form, having not lost in their last seven games.  Andy Morrison announced a lineup with only one change from their previous team which won 1-0 at Barry Town United last Sunday, as Sean Smith was replaced by Joe Heath who started alongside Kai Edwards, who helped make history as his brothers, Zyaac, Zebb and Noah started for Prestatyn making the game the first ever time four brothers have started in a JD Welsh Premier League match.

The game started to an immediate chance for The Nomads, as Michael Wilde hit a half volley against the Prestatyn goal post from a wicked Wignall cross.  The Nomads would again go close in the early stage of the game when in the 12th minute Matty Owen caught keeper Carl Jones off his line, setting up Williams who dragged a low shot wide from 14 yards.

Despite Nomads’ early pressure, the game settled and became even as both sides sought a way past each other. Michael Wilde again went close when he just missed a well placed Wignall cross just seven yards from the Prestatyn goal.

The Nomads were dominating the chances of the game and limiting Prestatyn’s sight on the Nomads’ goal, but a clinical finish continued to evade them.

A substitution was made bringing Nathan Woolfe on in place of Joe Heath, with Woolfe using his set piece technique and skill to try and break the Seasiders down.

Connah’s Quay pressed right until the half time whistle, and although they went in still goal less at the interval they had a strong first half performance to build on.

It was again The Nomads who created the chances in the second half, as on 51 minutes Nathan Woolfe found the ball at his feet inside the Prestatyn box, but his effort was blocked by a Prestatyn defender.

The Nomads then made their second substitution, replacing Matty Williams with Jake Phillips whose long range throw-in's helped The Nomads force more pressure on the away side’s goalmouth.

With just a short drive separating the two clubs there was a tense atmosphere which spilled over on the pitch, resulting in a yellow card for Noah Edwards and Callum Morris.

But with an hour played The Nomads finally found the net from a Nathan Woolfe free kick which Kai Edwards headed into the Prestatyn top right corner from around 10 yards.

Despite The Nomads’ lead Prestatyn remained determined to get something out of the game, and threatened when a free kick taken on the edge of The Nomads’ area by Jack Kenny hit The Nomads’ wall.

The Nomads’ third and final substitution would prove to be an inspired one, as Ryan Wignall replaced eventual goalscorer Michael Bakare.

As the game entered its latter stages Prestatyn increased their amount of possession in The Nomads’ half but managed few clear shots such was the organisation of the Nomads’ back line.

The Nomads’ second goal came in the 82nd minute, when Michael Bakare went one-on-one with a Prestatyn 'keeper Carl Jones who had entered the midfield leaving his goal completely open.

After beating a defender with a cool flick, Bakare rounded the keeper to send a 35 yard effort rolling across the floor and into the goal to open his Nomads’ scoring account in style.

However, a tenacious Prestatyn side hit back with an excellent strike from Alec Williams making the score 2-1 with four minutes of normal time to play, forcing The Nomads to see the game out in tense circumstances.

After Jake Phillips made a vital header off the line to maintain The Nomads’
lead, the Seasiders forced five consecutive corners which the Nomads showed great resilience to defend with John Danby tipping some efforts over the crossbar.

Deep into four minutes of additional time, the Nomads finally cleared the danger and held the ball in the Prestatyn final third until full time was announced.

The win keeps Nomads second in the JD Welsh Premier League and sends them joint on points with leaders TNS. Andy Morrison’s side will move onto a November packed with difficult fixtures, starting with an away game at Bala Town on Friday 10 November for a 7:45pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall