Connah’s Quay Nomads were defeated by two goals to nil at Cefn Druids in their final game of the JD Welsh Premier League 2017/18 season.
Going into the game, The Nomads sat second in the league on 57 points, separated from third placed Bangor City by a +3 goal difference.
The Nomads were guaranteed a minimum finish of third place, but knew second was up for grabs if they bettered Bangor’s result away at Bala.
The club was already guaranteed a spot in the Europa League qualifying stages as a result of the FAW’s licensing appeal decision on Thursday afternoon.
Andy Morrison started a strong lineup, with two changes that saw Michael Wilde and Jonny Spittle return to the starting eleven. Jay Owen and Declan Poole started on the bench alongside club captain George Horan who return after serving a suspension.
The Druids started a similarly strong side which included Zimbabwean international Alec Mudimu and former Nomad Matty Owen.
There was much riding on the game for the Cefn Mawr side, as they were aiming for a fifth place finish, which will give them a bye into the play off final should The Nomads be successful in next week’s 131st JD Welsh Cup final.
The game got off to a rapid start, and Druids took full advantage taking the lead with just six minutes played. Ex-Nomads Matty Owen sent a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net from 18 yards to boost the Druids’ campaign for fifth.
MATTY OWEN! @CefnDruids 1-0 Cei Connah
— sgorio (@sgorio) 27 April 2018
Owen yn sgorio yn erbyn ei gyn-glwb! | Owen scores against his former club!
???? yn fyw ar @S4C
???? Facebook: https://t.co/tHUeIgrsJm pic.twitter.com/gawEVq8mNH
The Nomads looked to reply to the early goal with chances of their own. Michael Bakare took a free kick from 25 yards out in the eighth minute, but keeper Michael Jones held the ball before a clearance deflected off the oncoming Andy Owens for a Druids goal kick.
The fast paced affair continued and both sides were locked in a tough, physical battle for each ball.
After Rob Hughes carried the ball near to the Druids area without getting a shot away, Nomads and Druids forced a corner each which neither could take advantage of.
Michael Bakare tested the Druids' 'keeper with a shot from 10 yards out, but Jones kept a hold of the low and powerful effort on 25 minutes.
As The Nomads grew into the game and created more chances in the final 10 minutes of the first half. In the 35th minute, Andy Owens sent a long throw in into the Druids area, forcing a corner which was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Jones.
The Nomads won three more corners in quick succession, but a clinical finish evaded them in their hunt for an equaliser.
Despite The Nomads finishing the first half strongly, Druids nicked a second goal on 44 minutes and went in with a commanding 2-0 lead during the interval. James Davies got away from Mike Pearson, running into The Nomads area’ and slotted past John Danby from seven yards to score.
EGWYL | HALF TIME @CefnDruids 2-0 Cei Connah
— sgorio (@sgorio) 27 April 2018
James Davies yn sgorio'r ail i Cefn. | Davies with Cefn Druids' second. pic.twitter.com/8PAwRSk3Av
The Nomads made changes at half time, bringing George Horan and Declan Poole on in place of Michael Bakare and Jonny Spittle.
After a first 15 minutes of stalemate following the restart, Nomads’ final change saw Nathan Woolfe replace Rob Hughes.
On 60 minutes, The Nomads were awarded a succession of four corners, and although the likes of Andy Owens were trying to convert the set pieces into goals, the Druids’ defence withstood the pressure.
A free kick was taken by Nathan Woolfe from the left wing of Druids’ final third on 64 minutes, but it evaded all red shirts and went out for a goal kick.
With 20 minute to play, Andy Owens was unlucky not to reduce the deficit for The Nomads when he beat the 'keeper in an aerial challenge only to see his goal-bound header cleared off the line.
In the 79th minute, Owens again rued his luck when from just four yards out he sent a header off the Druids’ left post.
The Nomads kept at the Druids end in the final ten minutes of the game, but their much sought after goal didn’t seem to be coming.
The travelling side’s night got worse with just two minutes left to play, as they were reduced to 10 men after Callum Morris was shown a straight red card for an off the ball clash with a Druids player.
After four minutes of injury time, The Nomads’ defeat was confirmed in a disappointing close to the JD Welsh Premier League campaign.
The Nomads can however finish the season on a high, as they move onto the JD Welsh Cup final on Sunday 7th May. The final, which is Nomads’ first since 1998, kicks off at 14:45 and is live on S4C.
Anyone wishing to travel to the final can contact will.catterall@the-nomads.co.uk to book onto the club’s official supporters coach.
Match Photos
Match Report by Will Catterall
Date: Friday 27th April 2018
Kick Off: 7:30pm
Venue: The Rock, Cefn Mawr
Attendance: 351
© Connah's Quay Nomads Football Club Ltd 2024
Sitemap | Website design by NCM Media
