Nomads put three past Archers in Deeside victory

Connah’s Quay Nomads ran out 3-0 winners against Cardiff Met FC at Deeside Stadium in the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Michael Bakare, Andy Owens and Rob Hughes completed a comfortable win for the home side.

• Bakare lobs keeper to open scoring
• Andy Owens clinches first Deeside goal
• Rob Hughes opens Nomads account
• Nomads stay second and five points off fourth

Andy Morrison named an unchanged lineup from The Nomads’ 1-0 victory away at Bala Town last week.  With Michael Wilde, Jay Owen and George Horan suspended, Joe Heath went on the bench alongside academy products Dom McHugh and Jacob Barratt.  Cardiff Met meanwhile started the likes of Adam Roscrow, Emlyn Lewis and Charlie Corsby.

The Nomads started proceedings brightly, with Declan Poole making a darting run inside the first minute only to be beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Will Fuller.

In the eighth minute, Michael Bakare sent a cross glancing across the Cardiff goal after Andy Owens set him up.  After 10 minutes the visitors grew into the game, forcing a corner in the 13th minute which was cleared away by John Danby.

Three minutes later, Met hit The Nomads on the break, sending a shot goalwards only for the ball to trickle along the goal line and go safely out for a corner.

But The Nomads replied to the opposition’s pressure in the best way possible, as Michael Bakare sent them ahead in the 19th minute.

From a John Danby goal kick, Michael Bakare watched the ball fall to his path before sending a lob shot over the Cardiff's Will Fuller to break the deadlock.

Following the opener, The Nomads kept to their offensive game plan and repeatedly attacked the Cardiff end, with Michael Bakare and Andy Owens going close.

A dynamic midfield consisting of Callum Morris, Declan Poole, Rob Hughes and Ryan Wignall was key in keeping the game flowing, with Wignall using his tricky pace to get into Cardiff’s final third.

After a series of attacks, The Nomads finally got their second goal when Michael Bakare worked the ball well on the left wing before setting up the oncoming Andy Owens, who made no mistake from ardoun seven yards out.

Just three minutes later, The Nomads got their third in unusual circumstances, as 'keeper Fuller was unable to deal with a corner ball from Rob Hughes which went directly into the net to give The Nomads midfielder his first goal for the club.

In the second half, Rob Hughes was prominent for The Nomads as he chased another goal.  In the 46th minute he showed initiative by swinging a 25 yard free kick past the outside of Cardiff’s wall, hitting the side netting of the goal.

In the 53rd minute Hughes set up captain Michael Pearson who saw his effort go way over from the edge of the Cardiff Met area.

Despite their lead Cardiff Met did their best to find a way back into the game, with Will Evans breaking forward but shooting wide on a number of occasions.

Christian Edwards’ side were then dealt a blow when goalkeeper Will Fuller was substituted for keeper Daniel Evans after injuring himself while taking a goal kick.

With a strong lead, The Nomads turned on the style all over the pitch, giving spectators a slick passing display as they looked for a fourth against a down but not out Cardiff Met.

Cardiff’s day got worse on 70 minutes, when Emlyn Lewis was taken off an injury with all three of their substitutions already made, forcing them to see the game out with 10 men.

10-men Met tried to get in The Nomads' defensive third, but were dealt with well by the Sean Smith and Jonny Spittle, who both enjoyed impressive individual performances.

With 10 minutes to play, recently recalled defender Joe Heath was brought on to replace Rob Hughes.

He helped his side see the game out with professional vigour, with Nomads’ final change coming three minutes from time when Nathan Woolfe replaced Michael Bakare.

Referee Lee Evans blew for full time to confirm a major victory for Nomads, who are chasing automatic Europa League qualification for the second consecutive time.

The win completed a 100% record for The Nomads in March, as they had previously defeated TNS, Cefn Druids and Bala Town.

The club’s attentions now turn to the JD Welsh Cup semi final against Bangor City FC, which takes place on Saturday 7 April for a 7:35pm kick off. The match will broadcast live on S4C.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall