Nomads off the mark with impressive win at Holywell

Connah’s Quay Nomads returned to winning ways in the Novira Cymru Premier with a convincing 3-1 victory away to Holywell Town on Friday. 

It was our first league trip to the Wellmen in 27 years and we were rewarded for our bright start as Joe Simatupang-Ferguson and Callum West combined well before Holywell defender Sam Baker turned the ball into his own net. 

Harry Franklin quickly doubled our lead by latching onto Max Woodcock’s superb long ball and slotting into the net. Ieuan Hewitt pulled a goal back for the hosts, but Hussein Mehasseb’s lofted finish on the stroke of half-time restored our two-goal cushion. 

Although the second half was overshadowed by two lengthy VAR checks, the Nomads held on to their lead and took home all three points. 

Team News

John Disney made two changes from the opening weekend as Max Woodcock and 18-year-old Conor Partridge replaced Abdi Sharif and Rhys Watson. There was a special moment for Steven Gerrard Academy Men’s scholars Miller Smith and Alfie Jones, who were both named in the senior squad for the first time. 

Holywell made three changes from their 6-1 defeat at Cardiff Met last weekend as Owen Davies, Sam Baker and Ryan Edwards replaced Alex Mudimu, Fabrizio Murtas and Caio Hughes. 

First Half

There were two brief VAR checks in the opening stages for potential Nomads penalties following challenges on Mehasseb and Franklin respectively, but nothing was given. 

John Disney’s side continued to dominate proceedings and found their opening goal on 28 minutes as magnificent solo run from Simatupang-Ferguson opened up the Holywell defence, allowing the Indonesian star to find West, whose low driven cross ricocheted off Baker and trickled into the bottom corner. 

That important breakthrough opened the floodgates for the Nomads as Franklin doubled the lead five minutes later. Our new number nine, who has now entered his fourth season at the club, ran onto a pinpoint diagonal ball from Woodcock and made no mistake slotting home when one-on-one with Swindell. 

Holywell immediately halved the deficit in the 36th minute as Hewitt’s long throw sailed over everyone inside the area, including Chris Renshaw.

However, Mehasseb restored our two-goal lead in the fourth minute of first half stoppage-time as West’s header down allowed the Egyptian forward to stretch and lift the ball over Swindell. 

Second Half

VAR checks took centre stage after the restart, with the first review arriving in the 55th minute. Holywell substitute Mark Winslade was shown a yellow card for his challenge on Mikey Stone before the referee was instructed to review the decision on the pitchside monitor. The check lasted five minutes, but the on-field decision of a yellow card for Winslade stood. 

The Nomads made their first change as former Cymru U19 international Rhys Watson replaced Iwan Murray, while Franklin went close to bagging a brace as his dipping strike from distance forced Swindell into another save. 

There was another lengthy VAR check, this time for six minutes as Partridge and Edwards collided near the halfway line. The referee quickly showed the red card to Partridge, but the card changed to yellow following the review. 

Abdi Sharif, Frankie Deane and Freddie Redshaw replaced Stone, Mehasseb and Partridge as the Nomads continued to pose a constant threat. 

Redshaw thought he had scored his first competitive Nomads goal when he met Woodcock’s threaded pass and finished well from a tight angle, but the flag was raised offside. 

The second half drama did not affect the full-time result though, as we bounced back from our opening weekend defeat in emphatic fashion to take all three points back to Connah’s Quay. 

What’s Next?

With our new-look squad now in their full flow, we hope to build on this win next Friday, 14 August as we host newly-promoted Trefelin at the Essity Stadium (7:45pm KO). 

Stay tuned to our social media pages for build-up to this game throughout the week, including supporter and ticket information. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer