Connah’s Quay Nomads defeated Cefn Druids by two goals to one in a dramatic afternoon of JD Welsh Premier action at Deeside on Saturday afternoon.
An Alec Mudimu goal sent Cefn Druids ahead in the first half, but after being reduced to nine men, The Nomads came back to win the game with goals from Callum Morris and Michael Bakare.
The Nomads went into the game in high spirits, having knocked The New Saints out of the JD Welsh Cup in a quarter final clash at Deeside on Tuesday. Andy Morrison made one change from that game, starting Mike Pearson in place of Sean Smith. Druids started their usually strong line up which included ex-Nomads Ashley Ruane and Matty Owen.
The game began with both sides sticking to their respective game plans, which led to a controlled opening ten minutes. Jonny Spittle went close for The Nomads on 14 minutes, when he headed a Michael Bakare free kick just over the Druids goal.
Two minutes later, Druids scored with their first real attempt of the game, as Mudimu picked up the ball on the edge of the Nomads’ area before driving it low into the bottom left corner of John Danby’s net.
Despite trailing, The Nomads were having the majority of possession as they looked for an equaliser before the interval. Michael Bakare used his pace to go on darting runs down the wing, but these were dealt with by a Druids defence set on keeping a clean sheet. In the 26th minute, Jake Phillips sent a throw in into the Druids area, which was headed wide by Wilde, although Andy Owens was then found offside.
The Nomads’ persistence in Druids’ final third continued, with Spittle once again unlucky as he headed just over from a floating cross. Despite attempts on goal from Morris and Bakare with half an hour played, Druids’ keeper Michael Jones remained well protected by his defence.
There was controversy in the 43rd minute, when George Horan thought he had equalised with a low shot from six yards after a corner. His shot was cleared in a packed area, with protests from the Nomads’ skipper, claiming that that the ball had crossed the line, waved away.
At half time Nomads went in frustrated to be 1-0 down after a largely positive performance, and rang a change with the pacy Ryan Wignall being introduced in place of Jake Phillips.
But the second half got off to a nightmare start for The Nomads, as after Michael Wilde received a yellow card, Jay Owen was shown a straight red for a challenge on a Druids player. Reduced to ten men Nomads had a mountain climb, but they continued to battle away against a determined Druids outfit.
After replacing Michael Wilde for Declan Poole, The Nomads were served yet more bad luck on 65 minutes when George Horan was shown a straight red card by referee Rob Jenkins. After challenging for a ball in the Druids box, Horan was sent off to join Jay Owen in the stands, reducing The Nomads to just nine men with nearly 30 minutes still to play.
Sensing their strength against nine man Nomads, Druids attacked via Piskorski who shot wide from seven yards out on 69 minutes.
In the 73rd minute Nomads were handed a lifeline, as Jonny Spittle was brought down in the Druids area with the referee pointing to the spot for a penalty.
Callum Morris stepped up and converted it low into the left side of the net, raising hopes that the nine-man side could get a result from the game, despite all looking lost prior to Morris’ goal.
The closing stage of the game was played at a furious pace as both sides looked for a winner. Druids heavily populated The Nomads’ area, but Ryan Wignall took advantage of this on 85 minutes.
He hit Druids on the break, carried the ball into the final third and passed to Bakare, who took a moment to compose himself before curling a stunning effort into the top left corner of the net to give The Nomads a dramatic late lead.
With just minutes on the clock, Kai Edwards was brought on in place of Andy Owens who had been shown a yellow card. Edwards helped the Nomads defence stand up to a last minute onslaught from Druids, who forced a series of corners during the five additional minutes of time played at the end of the game.
The injury time attacks from Druids were all dealt with, culminating in John Danby punching away a last-gasp in swinging cross from the visitors.
Danby did enough, as seconds later full time was confirmed amidst joyous scenes between manager Andy Morrison, his players and the Deeside faithful.
The win keeps The Nomads well in the race for Europe, as they go third via goal difference, one point below second placed Bala who they face in their next game on Friday 23 March for a 19:45 kick off at Maes Tegid.
Following the game, a number of Nomads players and staff took to social media to comment on the comeback;
What a win ??????????????????!! @the_nomads
— Jonny Spittle (@jonny_spittle) 10 March 2018
One of the most memorable results and performances ever had pleasure to be involved in with @the_nomads. To be 1-0 down, down to 9 men and win 2-1, shows the togetherness, work ethic and belief we are lucky to have with an exceptional group of players. Huge credit to all at club.
— Jay Catton (@JayCatton) 10 March 2018
Insane but awesome win today by the lads! To come back from a goal down with 9 men shows #greatcharacter and #teamwork @the_nomads https://t.co/s0M7v2LW4h
— Gemma Bamford (@GBSportTherapy) 10 March 2018
WOW WOW WOW!!! What an unbelievable performance from @the_nomads today! Absolutely epic comeback - players dead on their feet but still found a way #NomadsNeverDie #JDWPL
— Nikitas Mesney (@nikitasmesney) 10 March 2018
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Saturday 10th March 2018
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Venue: Essity Stadium, Flint, Wales
Attendance: 188
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