Nomads make encouraging European return with first-leg draw

Connah’s Quay Nomads’ UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round tie against FC Ballkani remains finely poised after a goalless draw in the first leg at Llanellian Road on Wednesday evening.

The Nomads were walking into their ninth European campaign in 11 seasons and were slightly on the back foot in the early stages as Ballkani enjoyed the majority of possession. However, the Nomads would end up having the best chance of the first half as Mikey Stone’s header was cleared off the line.

James Jones and Joe Ferguson also had opportunities for the Nomads, but Ballkani goalkeeper Adnan Golubovic came to his side’s rescue.

There was a nervy moment in stoppage-time as Ballkani nearly stole victory, but Anel Sabanadzovic fired wide of the post from close range.

It was an evenly contested match, but the Nomads’ impressive display, which saw them limit full-time professional opposition to zero shots on target, will give John Disney and his side confidence heading into next week’s second leg in Prishtina.

Team News
John Disney’s first starting lineup of the 2027/27 season featured five new summer signings as Chris Renshaw, Joe Ferguson, Shane Flynn, Mikey Stone and Iwan Murray made their first competitive starts for the club.

Dynamic attacking trio Callum West, Max Woodcock and Harry Franklin were all named in the starting squad, while academy graduates Joe Bennett, Conor Partridge, Harvey Morris and Jack Waterhouse were on the bench.

Ballkani’s squad, managed by Mislav Karoglan, featured many players with prior international experience for their respective countries.

First Half 
Former Kosovan top-flight champions Ballkani showed their quality in the opening stages and nearly forced home an early opening goal as Renshaw had to tip the ball behind following a nervy and awkward bounce.

Ballkani’s Ivorian striker Valentin Serebe was soon the centre of attention as he was booked for a late foul on Flynn, while he nearly broke through on goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Nomads captain James Jones.

The Nomads had their first major opportunity and best chance for either side with 21 minutes on the clock as Woodcock’s cross towards the back post found Stone, whose header across goal was cleared off the line by Gentrit Halili.

Stone was a threat again, this time with a corner late in the half as his inswinging delivery eventually bundled around the box and was destined to be turned home, but the referee spotted a foul in the midst of the goalmouth scramble and ultimately brought the half to an end.

Second Half
The Nomads went extremely close to finding the breakthrough on two occasions within the first five minutes of the second half.

West delivered a dangerous ball into the box, where Franklin powered his effort towards goal, only for it to be saved by Golubovic. Franklin was involved once more as his header back across goal from the resulting corner was steered on target by Jones, but only straight at Golubovic, who kept the scoreline level.

After a few audacious and wayward strikes from both teams, the Nomads created another opportunity as West slotted the ball through to Ferguson, who raced down the byline and tried to squeeze his shot beyond Golubovic at the near post, but the Ballkani goalkeeper was there again to be his team’s hero.

Darren Stephenson, Frankie Deane, Hussein Mehasseb and Alex Hughes all came onto the pitch to make their Nomads debut as Disney freshened up the spine of the team, knowing his side’s impressive second half performance could result in a winning goal.

Stephenson was brought down in stoppage-time and the majority of Llanellian Road thought the Nomads should have been awarded a penalty, but nothing was given.

The clock ticked down but there was a late chance for Ballkani, who waited until the final few seconds to create their best chance of the game as Sabanadzovic met Serebe’s flick-on but could only volley inches wide of the bottom corner from point-blank range.

A goalless draw means the tie is still all to play for in next week’s second leg in Kosovo.

Our players and staff made themselves, the club and community proud, while our result also adds points onto Wales' UEFA coefficient ranking.

What’s Next? 
The Nomads will prepare professionally for next week’s second leg in Kosovo.

After a positive performance, particularly in the second half, John Disney and his side will be confident they can go on to win the tie and bring more European success to the club - a whole decade after our first ever European win against Stabaek in Norway.

Our second leg against Ballkani will take place at Stadium Fadil Vokri, Prishtina, Kosovo, on Thursday, 16th July (7:00pm kick-off BST).

Match Report by Adam Angerer