Nomads draw with Druids in final game of 2017

Connah’s Quay Nomads played out a 1-1 draw with Cefn Druids in the JD Welsh Premier League at Deeside on Friday evening.

• Michael Bakare headed The Nomads in front
• James Davies equalised for Druids
• Ex-Nomad Ashley Ruane missed a Cefn Druids penalty
• The draw keeps The Nomads second in the league

The game was the second match in The Nomads’ back-to-back set of fixtures against Cefn Druids over Christmas.  In the previous game at The Rock on Boxing Day, a Ryan Wignall goal gave The Nomads a 1-0 win.  Wignall was later sent off in that fixture, meaning he was suspended and replaced by Nathan Woolfe in Andy Morrison’s otherwise unchanged starting line up.

After no major chances in the opening ten minutes, The Nomads began to control the game and dominate possession.  In the 12th minute, a slick move between Michael Bakare and Sean Smith won a deep throw in which went to Nathan Woolfe, who had a shot blocked.

With 20 minutes played, Michael Bakare broke through to go one-on-one with Druids’ keeper Michael Jones, who swept to deny The Nomads’ striker.

But around 10 minutes later, Bakare made no mistake in front of goal, as after Wilde headed against the crossbar from a Woolfe cross, Bakare headed the ball in from point-blanc range to send The Nomads ahead.

The Nomads’ hard fought lead was shortlived however, as on 40 minutes, James Davies sprung to catch the Connah’s Quay defence in a blip, shooting low into the goal from inside the area.

Half time saw substitutions were made from The Nomads, as Nathan Woolfe and Jay Owen went off with knocks to be replaced by Declan Poole and Jake Phillips.

Five minutes into the second half, Cefn Druids were handed a big opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a controversial penalty kick by referee Iwan Griffith.

Ex-Nomad Ashley Ruane stepped up to take the kick, but lifted his shot way above the goal to scupper the chance and keep the score level.

In the 54th minute, Druids again had a chance to go ahead, as Jonathon Taylor missed a header from six yards with much of the goal wide open for him.

The Nomads replied with a corner kick from Michael Bakare, which was headed around the Druids area before it was eventually cleared.

Declan Poole went close for The Nomads just before the hour mark, when he slid the ball towards the goal only to be accidentally blocked by Michael Wilde in a six yard box scramble.

On 69 minutes Declan Poole hit a half volley wide, before The Nomads made their last substitution, replacing Sean Smith for Matty Owen.

Druids, who were chasing a top six spot, went close to getting a shot away from just six yards out in the Nomads area, but

George Horan made a bold tackle on 74 minutes to deny the forward.  The second half had been full of chances for both sides, which led to a tight and tense final 10 minutes at Deeside.

In the 83rd minute a Cefn Druids free kick from the edge of the Nomads’
area bounced off Danby and spun on the wet goalmouth, before the Nomads’
'keeper swept to fully collect the ball.

Although both sides battled to the end, no winning goal came and both sides were forced to settle with a point after 90 minutes.

The result sees Nomads stay second in the JD Welsh Premier League in what was their final game of 2017.

During the year they have achieved their highest ever finish in the national league, qualified for the Irn Bru Cup and qualified for the Europa League in which they recorded a win over Finnish champions HJK Helsinki in a first leg first round qualifying match.

The result also continued The Nomads formidable home record, as they have lost just two league matches at Deeside in 2017.

They next welcome Barry Town to Deeside in a JD Welsh Premier fixture for a 2:30pm kick off on Saturday 6 January.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall