Nomads end Phase One with draw at Cofis

Connah’s Quay Nomads concluded their JD Cymru Premier Phase One campaign with a 2-2 draw against Caernarfon Town at the Go Goodwins Stadium on Tuesday night. 

Callum Bratley slotted home to give the Nomads an early lead inside two minutes, but Phil Mooney levelled midway through the first half from close range. 

Rhys Hughes netted for the fourth consecutive game in a row with a curling free-kick to restore the Nomads’ advantage, but Mooney equalised once more from another cross into the area to make it two apiece. 

Key missed opportunities when leading 2-1 certainly proved costly for the Nomads, but a positive all-round display away to a fellow top six team was pleasing to see, with our unbeaten streak now sitting at 14 league games. 

Team News

John Disney made three changes from our 3-1 victory over Barry Town United last time out as Kai Edwards, Callum West and Rhys Hughes all returned to the starting lineup. 

January arrivals Freddie Redshaw and James Jones were named on the bench, while Callum Bratley and Noah Edwards both started their 100th game for Connah’s Quay Nomads. 

Caernarfon manager Richard Davies made two changes from his side’s 1-0 win at Bala Town on New Year’s Eve as Brad Young and Matty Jones replaced Adam Davies and Kyle Harrison. Former Nomad Paulo Mendes was also amongst the Cofis lineup.         

First Half

The Nomads made a dream start at the Go Goodwins Stadium as Callum Bratley marked his 100th club appearance with a goal by receiving Rhys Hughes’ through ball, rounding Connor Roberts and finishing from a tight angle. 

Neither side created any major opportunities for the next 20 minutes, with Roberts making a comfortable save to deny Hughes’ floating volley from the edge of the area. 

Phil Mooney brought Caernarfon on level terms midway through the first half as he steered the ball into the roof of the net from Sion Bradley’s low cross. 

The Nomads were then forced into their first change of the evening after captain Chris Marriott went down with injury and was replaced by new signing James Jones, who came on for his debut. 

Roberts made a couple more saves shortly before the break, this time denying Callum West and Noah Edwards. The Nomads thought they should have been awarded a penalty two minutes before  the break when Declan Poole went to ground after a challenge from Paulo Mendes, but nothing was given. 

Second Half 

The Nomads had a glorious chance to edge back in front nine minutes into the second half when Hughes played West through one-on-one with Roberts, but the Caernarfon goalkeeper made a diving save to deny our No.8. 

Roberts was eventually beaten six minutes later though, as Hughes’ wide free-kick flew beyond everyone inside a crowded area and nestled into the bottom corner. Hughes has now contributed to at least two goals in a single game for the seventh time this season.

Bratley nearly doubled his tally and added a third goal for the Nomads in the 70th minute, but he could only steer the ball wide of the post when sliding in on Hughes’ low delivery across the face of goal. 

That missed opportunity proved costly as Caernarfon equalised through Mooney once more, with the Cofis defender applying a simple finish from Mendes’ cushioned header towards the back post. 

Attacking duo Freddie Redshaw and Max Woodcock were introduced as the Nomads pushed for a late winner. Redshaw, who arrived at the club just over a week ago, had an immediate sight of goal as his powerful first-time effort on the left hand side flew narrowly wide of the near post. 

Hughes stood over another free-kick on the edge of the box and tried to pick out the bottom corner, but a fingertip save from Roberts was enough to keep the effort out. 

Redshaw fired over the bar with another strike from distance, and that proved to be the Nomads’ last chance of the contest as both sides went home with a point each. 

What's Next? 

After equalling our second-best ever points tally in a Phase One campaign (47), we now await our JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference schedule, which is set to be announced on Friday, 16 January (12pm). 

The Nomads will face The New Saints, Penybont, Caernarfon Town, Colwyn Bay and Barry Town United both home and away during Phase Two, where John Disney’s side will look to strengthen their position in second-place. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer