Connah’s Quay Nomads picked up a vital away win in the JD Welsh Premier League at Bala Town on Friday evening.
A solitary goal from substitute Michael Wilde was enough to give The Nomads the win in one of their performances of the season so far.
Andy Morrison’s side came into the game after a week’s break, which followed their dramatic 2-1 comeback win with nine men against Cefn Druids at Deeside.
Morrison was without some key players with Jay Owen, captain George Horan and Danny Harrison all unavailable. The likes of Ryan Wignall, Declan Poole and Sean Smith all started along with Rob Hughes, who played his first full 90 minutes for The Nomads.
Three of The Nomads’ academy products were called up to the squad with Jacob Barratt, Dominic Elsey-McHugh and Tom Bridges all on the bench.
Bala meanwhile started a host of familiar faces with Les Davies, Lewis Short and John Disney, who all played a part in The Nomads' Europa League qualifying 2016/17 squad, included in their first eleven.
The game began to even play as The Nomads looked to utilise their pacy attacking line against the Lakesiders. This was seen in the 2nd minute, when Wignall crossed to Michael Bakare who had a shot from eight yards out blocked.
In the ninth minute, Rob Hughes burst forward and forced Ashley Morris to make a low save, winning a corner for Nomads which was dealt with by an organised Bala defence.
Bala’s structured approach to the game locked in with The Nomads’ equally stubborn backline, which stopped Bala’s Nathan Burke from seeing the goal frequently.
With 15 minutes played, The Nomads were looking strong, nearly dispossessing Bala 'keeper Morris twice when Michael Bakare and Andy Owens chased the ball by his feet, the stopper doing enough to clear the danger.
With 20 minutes played the moment of the first half came when Michael Hayes crossed to Venables in The Nomads' area. Venables stood around six yards from goal and only had to tap in to score, but Danby rose up to push the ball over and maintain his clean sheet.
Lewis Short utilised his familiar long throws against The Nomads, but Jonny Spittle made sure he was first to every ball with multiple defensive headers throughout the game.
There was controversy on 31 minutes, as Ryan Wignall made a run into the Bala area and was brought down by Short, but the penalty appeals were waved away by referee Kevin Parry.
Bala went close to taking the lead just before half time, as on 43 minutes a Les Davies header towards goal was blocked by Michael Pearson, who returned to The Nomads’ line up after representing Wales C along with Kai Edwards on Tuesday evening.
The second half saw The Nomads come out with great confidence, which they would use to become the dominant side for the next 45 minutes.
Mike Hayes ran at The Nomads' end after the restart, but John Danby and Jonny Spittle combined to neutralise the threat.
After 10 minutes of deadlock, The Nomads introduced Michael Wilde to replace Michael Bakare in what would prove the game’s key substitution.
Having been on the pitch for just four minutes, Wilde scored the decisive goal on 63 minutes. Following a cross from Sean Smith, Andy Owens had an effort blocked which fell to Wilde who made no mistake from just eight yards out.
Bala looked to retaliate to The Nomads’ goal in the knowledge that their hold on second place would diminish if they could not get a result on the night.
Les Davies nearly equalised on 72 minutes, but his header was pushed onto the crossbar by the fingertips of Danby who once again made a vital stop for his side.
The Lakesiders forced a series of corners, but The Nomads coped with the threat well as they held onto hopes of a first win at Maes Tegid since January 2015.
Boosted by their lead, The Nomads went on the offensive and were unlucky not to extend their lead. Rob Hughes, who enjoyed a great performance in a commanding midfield role, sent a stunning curling effort towards goal only to be denied by the top corner woodwork.
Andy Owens then cut into the left side of the Bala area, lifting a shot just over Ashley Morris’ goal.
As the game entered its final ten minutes a real battle was well underway in a great advert for the JD Welsh Premier. Rob Hughes kept up his deft touches and pace to get The Nomads upfield, winning an 81st minute corner which was cleared.
The Nomads again went close from a corner on 85 minutes, when from Hughes’
delivery Jonny Spittle had the chance to seal the game for The Nomads but headed just over to the agony of the nervous away support.
Wignall, Hughes and Owens put on a sublime attacking show, as they continued to cause Bala problems by hitting the home side on the break.
As the game went into an additional four minutes of injury time, Ryan Wignall showed experience by keeping the ball near the opposition corner flags as the clocked ticked down.
Nomads held on until full time, when they celebrated a determined performance and deserved win against Bala to overtake them in the JD Welsh Premier.
Andy Morrison’s side now sit second in the league, two points above third placed Bala and three above Bangor City in fourth.
The Nomads now move onto a home clash against Cardiff Met FC in the JD Welsh Premier League where they will again be battling for an all important three points in the race for automatic Europa League qualification.
The game kicks off on Saturday 31 March at 2:30pm at Deeside Stadium.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Friday 23rd March 2018
Kick Off: 7:45pm
Venue: Maes Tegid, Bala
Attendance: 233
© Connah's Quay Nomads Football Club Ltd 2024
Sitemap | Website design by NCM Media
