Murray steers Nomads to three points against Archers

Iwan Murray scored his third goal of the season to give Connah’s Quay Nomads a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cardiff Met in the Novira Cymru Premier at the Essity Stadium on Friday. 

Both goalkeepers were on top form for the majority of the contest, with the most notable stop seeing Chris Renshaw get down low to deny Sam Snaith from close range. 

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 70th minute as Max Woodcock’s effort was parried out by Arron Davies and straight into the path of Murray, who tucked away the rebound. 

Renshaw and the whole Nomads defence did incredibly well to defend several set-piece deliveries from the visitors in the closing stages. A Player of the Match performance from Alex Hughes also deserved acknowledgment - his heatmap in each half speaks volumes! 

Team News

The Nomads were facing their third game in six days and that brought three changes to the side that beat Airbus UK Broughton 3-0 on Tuesday as Adam McCoy made his first senior start for the club, while Dan Cowan and Alex Hughes also returned in defence.

Cardiff Met’s first-choice captain CJ Craven was suspended for this fixture following his red card against Flint Town United last weekend, meaning New Zealand midfielder Bailey Gaughan came into the starting lineup in the only change for the Archers. Former Connah’s Quay winger Fumpa Mwandwe also started for the visitors. 

First Half

The Nomads nearly took the lead inside the opening 20 seconds as Hughes’ fierce low ball narrowly averted Harry Franklin at the back post. 

Renshaw then pulled off a remarkable save at full stretch to deny Snaith from inside the area shortly before McCoy came close to a debut goal as his effort from the edge of the area curled inches wide of the top corner. 

Renshaw was forced into another vital save, this time to stop Jack Veale’s free-kick from distance. In a similar scenario to McCoy’s earlier chance, Murray also fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area after receiving Joe Ferguson’s short pass. 

There was a glorious chance for Dan Cowan to score just his second Nomads goal close to half time as he met a cross from fellow centre-back James Jones at the back post and could only power his header over the bar from a few yards out. 

Franklin thought he had put the Nomads ahead five minutes before the break after he latched onto Renshaw’s long ball and slotted past Davies at the near post, but the referee assistant’s flag was raised for offside. There was a brief VAR check on Franklin’s finish, but the on-field decision stood and the scoreline remained goalless. 

The Nomads were forced into their first substitution moments before the half time whistle as a clear offside was not flagged immediately, meaning Jones continued to run alongside Snaith when trying to block his low cross, but unfortunately took a knock to his leg and was replaced by Shane Flynn, who marked his league debut with a goal against Airbus on Tuesday. 

Second Half

It was a much quieter start to the second half, with both sides failing to unlock their opponents’ defence. The Nomads made their second change on the hour mark as Woodcock replaced McCoy, who showed positive signs on his first start for the club. 

The first major talking point of the second half arrived on 65 minutes as West’s deflected effort from just inside the area headed towards the bottom corner, only for Davies to get down low and push the ball out to safety. 

The Nomads were not to be denied five minutes later though, as Murray grabbed the opening goal by sliding in to convert the rebound from Woodcock’s saved strike from the left hand side. 

Egyptian forward Hussein Mehasseb and teenager Conor Partridge both entered the field in place of Frankie Deane and Jordan Hodkin. 

Mehasseb’s first key involvement almost resulted in a second goal as his outside-the-foot pass released West, who charged down the right hand side but was tackled inside the area before he could get his shot away. 

Cardiff Met pushed for a late equaliser, a crucial save from Renshaw to deny Harrison Matthews and a brilliant all-round defensive display in stoppage time ensured John Disney’s side claimed another important three points and back-to-back clean sheets. 

What’s Next?

Connah's Quay Nomads return to Novira Cymru Premier action next Saturday, 26 September as our lads travel to face Barry Town United at Jenner Park (2:30pm) in what is sure to be an interesting clash with both teams currently sat at the higher end of the league table. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer