Simatupang-Ferguson hat-trick inspires Nomads to convincing win

Joe Simatupang-Ferguson scored a hat-trick Connah’s Quay Nomads secured back-to-back Novira Cymru Premier wins with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Trefelin at the Essity Stadium on Friday night. 

Simatupang-Ferguson and Hussein Mehasseb both scored twice and assisted each other as their braces put the Nomads four goals to the good near the hour mark. 

The Indonesian international then scored from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick, while Harry Franklin added his name to the scoresheet in stoppage-time to earn a convincing victory. 

There were many positives to take alongside Simatupang-Ferguson’s hat-trick as Mehasseb and Callum West contributed to three goals each, while Mikey Stone also caught the eye with his energetic display. 

Team News

John Disney made two changes from our 3-1 win over Holywell last Friday as Frankie Deane and Rhys Watson returned to the starting lineup to replace 18-year-old Conor Partridge, who was named on the bench and Iwan Murray, who was absent through a minor injury. There was a milestone for Scottish forward Max Woodcock, who made his 50th competitive appearance for the club. 

Trefelin manager Andy Hill made three changes from his side’s 4-0 defeat at home to Llandudno last time out as Jasper Jones, Jacob Jones and Declan Evans replaced Morgan Thomas, Shaun Macdonald and Callum Saunders. 

First Half

The Nomads immediately took control of the contest and went close from two Mikey Stone corners as James Jones’ deflected effort was tipped over by Scott Coughlin before Simatupang-Ferguson’s header was cleared inside the six-yard box before it could test the Trefelin goalkeeper. 

However, the Nomads made their early pressure count in the 15th minute as Stone’s low cross was parried out by Coughlin and straight into the path of Simatupang-Ferguson, who scored the rebound to bag his first goal for the club. 

Ferguson turned provider for Hussein Mehasseb six minute later as the Indonesian’s cross found the Egyptian striker, who controlled the ball well before firing the bottom corner with a clinical finish. 

The Nomads continued to control the game and nearly added a third close to half-time through Stone, whose drilled effort across goal flew inches wide of the far corner. 

Second Half

Trefelin nearly pulled a goal back five minutes after the restart as a corner into the area deflected off a few bodies inside the six-yard box and clipped the crossbar, but the Nomads were able to quickly clear the danger. 

Despite that mini scare, the Nomads made it 3-0 with a sublime counter-attacking move as Callum West squared the ball to Mehasseb, who produced another clinical finish into the far corner, leaving Coughlin no chance of the save. 

Simatupang-Ferguson also bagged a brace moments later after a diagonal ball fell down off Mehasseb, allowing the 22-year-old to send a sweetly-struck volley into the net. 

The Nomads then made a triple change as Abdi Sharif, Freddie Redshaw and Darren Stephenson replaced Mehasseb, Max Woodcock and Rhys Watson. 

Coughlin pulled off saves to deny Alex Hughes, Redshaw and Harry Franklin, but the goalkeeper conceded a penalty after bringing down West inside the area. 

Simatupang-Ferguson was handed the chance to bag his hat-trick and he made no mistake from the spot, cementing his impressive start to the season. 

There was a moment to savour late on for 16-year-old Alfie Jones, who came on to make his senior debut by replacing another standout performer in Stone. 

Jones kept possession well with his teammates before Franklin rounded off the goalscoring fun with a delightful header from West’s teasing cross into the area to notch his second goal in as many games. 

What’s Next? 

The Nomads will be aiming to secure a third consecutive win next Saturday, 22 August as John Disney’s travel to face newly-promoted Ammanford in our first trip to South Wales this season. 

Saturday’s fixture will kick-off at 12:30pm and will be streamed live on BBC Sports Wales and BBC iPlayer for those of you who are unable to attend the Ammanford Recreation Ground. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer