Connah’s Quay Nomads secured their place in the JD Welsh Cup quarter finals with a 3-1 win over CPD Porthmadog on Saturday afternoon.
The game saw The Nomads in action for the first time in two weeks, following the break after the JD Welsh Premier League phase one split. They came into the JD Welsh Cup fourth round looking to get back to winning ways having gone down 4-2 against Aberystwth in the final game of phase one.
Since that match Nomads had brought in new faces, with Jonny Spittle signing for The Nomads and going straight into the starting lineup. First team coach Neil Gibson also took part in his first game for the club having joined the Club from Prestatyn during the week.
Connah’s Quay’s opponents for the fourth round tie were their old Huws Gray Alliance and League of Wales rivals Porthmadog, who started the likes of Sion Bradley and ex-Bangor man Sion Edwards.
The cup encounter got off to a rapid start with two goals inside the first ten minutes. Joe Chaplin broke through for Porthmadog in their first attack of the game, and his low shot from around seven yards went past Danby to send the visitors 1-0 up.
Porthmadog’s goal boosted the side who were backed by a healthy away support, but their lead lasted just three minutes as a Michael Bakare free kick, taken on the edge of the visitors’ area, went straight into the bottom left corner of the goal.
With the scores level, The Nomads began to dominate the possession in the game but were tested by an organised Porthmadog side. Nomads’ debutant Jonny Spittle looked at home in the defence and also helped attack, as he sent a shot over from around 12 yards out on 15 minutes.
Andy Owens threatened the Porthmadog end with his long, looping throw-in’s into their area at regular interval during the game. In the 25th minute, his throw went to Bakare who went at goal but was found offside.
In the 34th minute The Nomads went ahead thanks to some good play down the left wing from Michael Bakare, who ran past the chasing Porthmadog defenders to send a well placed cross right in front of goal where Wilde tapped home.
In the 37th minute Bakare again threatened with a dangerous run which won a corner, before Declan Poole sent a cross to Michael Wilde which went just wide of his reach in front of the Porthmadog goal.
Despite The Nomads’ possession and attacking mindset, Porthmadog performed well and looked to attack whenever possible. Julian Williams sent a 25 yard effort towards John Danby, but the effort went wide of goal.
At half time Ryan Wignall replaced Declan Poole and made an immediate impression in the second half, hitting the post from close range in the 46th minute after a cross from Bakare.
Wignall then forced a corner, which was followed by a second attack in which Bakare crossed to Horan who sent a headed effort glancing across the Porthmadog goal.
With the score 2-1 and half an hour to play, the visiting Huws Gray Alliance side continued to press in hope of causing a JD Welsh Cup upset. Joe Chaplin went close on 57 minutes, sending a header wide around 10 yards from The Nomads’ goal.
The Nomads were forced to defend on 60 minutes as Porthmadog forced two successive corners, one of which was headed wide from close range, although the assistant’s flag went up to deny any chance of an equaliser.
Michael Wilde nearly got a brace on 65 minutes, as he controlled the ball in the air from 25 yards out, sending his self-set up volley just wide from 20 yards.
Nomads’ second substitution saw Michael Bakare go off in place of Nathan Woolfe, who used his skill and pace to cause problems for Porthmadog on the left wing.
Boosted by Woolfe, the home side continued to look for that two-goal cushion as the game went on but it eluded them as chances, created by the likes of Andy Owens and Michael Wilde, went amiss.
Porthmadog tried to punish Nomads on 70 minutes as they launched a counter attack, but a Kai Edwards block prevented them from getting a shot at goal inside the Nomads’ area.
As the game entered its final ten minutes of normal time, Sean Smith replaced Andy Owens as the Nomads looked to ensure they weren’t taken into extra time.
Their Welsh Cup fate was confirmed on 84 minutes, as an inch perfect corner kick from Nathan Woolfe fell to George Horan, who rose highest in the Porthmadog area to make it 3-1.
Nomads nearly got a fourth goal on 88 minutes, as Wilde received the ball one yard from the Porthmadog goal only to have goalkeeper Richard Harvey make a low save to deny him.
After four minutes of additional time, referee Lee Evans confirmed the result which sends Nomads into the quarter finals of the JD Welsh Cup for the fourth consecutive season.
The draw for the quarter finals will be held live on Heno S4C on Monday evening, with Nomads in the hat with the likes of The New Saints, Newtown and fifth tier South Wales Alliance League side Penydarren.
The club’s attentions now turn to the start of the phase two JD Welsh Premier League campaign which gets underway next Thursday February 1 with a home fixture against Bala Town.
The game, which will be streamed live by S4C on Facebook, kicks off at 7:45pm.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Saturday 27th January 2018
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Venue: Essity Stadium, Flint, Wales
Attendance: 241
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