Hodkin and Woodcock complete superb Nomads comeback at Ferry

Jordan Hodkin and Max Woodcock scored quickfire goals as Connah’s Quay Nomads claimed their fifth consecutive Novira Cymru Premier with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel at The Renewable Centre Stadium on Friday. 

Tom Walters missed an early penalty for the hosts, but made amends with a close-range finish to put Ferry ahead in a first half the Nomads will want to forget.

However, it was super sub Woodcock who inspired the Nomads’ comeback in a much improved second period as the Scotsman set up Jordan Hodkin, whose diving header levelled the scoreline.

Hodkin returned the favour to his fellow attacker as his cross out to the left hand side found Woodcock, who produced a clinical finish into the far corner to secure all three points. Hodkin and Freddie Redshaw both had goals disallowed after Woodcock’s strike, but that did not affect the result as the Nomads comfortably held on to take home all three points.

John Disney’s side remain second in the Novira Cymru Premier table and have now lost just once from their last 12 league games. 

Team News

Disney, who has now surpassed 50 games in charge of Connah’s Quay Nomads, made four changes to his team that triumphed 1-0 against Penybont last weekend as Conor Partridge, Abdi Sharif, Hussein Mehasseb and Rhys Watson all returned to the starting lineup. 

Sharif was starting for the first time since returning from AFCON duty with Somalia, while young Steven Gerrard Academy scholars Owen Cropper and Alfie Jones were named on the bench. 

Briton Ferry manager Andy Dyer made just one change from his side’s epic 1-0 win over Colwyn Bay last weekend as Joseph Lloyd replaced the suspended Ricky-Lee Owen. 

First Half

Ferry had the chance to take the lead inside just three minutes as Sharif’s foul on Dylan Packer inside the area resulted in a penalty. However, Tom Walters was unable to hit the target with his spot-kick and the scoreline remained level. 

The Nomads also had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock early on as Harry Franklin’s low cross towards the back post found Callum West, whose effort from a tight angle trickled wide. 

Walters put his early penalty miss behind him in the 33rd minute as he latched onto Tom Price’s long ball and slotted in at the near post to put Ferry ahead. 

Mehasseb managed to get three shots away towards the end of the first half, but the Egyptian striker was denied twice by Will Fuller before having an effort destined for the bottom corner blocked by Ryan George. 

Second Half

The Nomads made a double change early in the second half as Scottish duo Woodcock and Frankie Deane replaced Watson and Mehasseb. 

Woodcock made an instant impact and set up the equalising goal just three minutes after his introduction as Hodkin met his pinpoint delivery and squeezed his diving header past Fuller for his fourth goal in five games. 

Hodkin returned the favour to Woodcock as the Nomads completed a quick and remarkable turnaround. A smooth passage of play allowed Hodkin to spot Woodcock in space before the Scotsman applied a clinical first-time finish into the net via the post to reward the Nomads for their improved second period. 

Hodkin bundled the ball home from Franklin’s saved shot, but just as he thought he had his brace, the flag was raised for offside and the goal was ruled out. 

Chris Renshaw and the Nomads defence were kept quiet for the majority of the second half as Disney’s side took their narrow lead into stoppage time. Substitute Freddie Redshaw was denied his first goal for the Nomads in the 94th minute when he tapped in the rebound from another saved Franklin effort, but once again the flag was raised for offside. 

Those disallowed goals did not affect the outcome of the match though, as the Nomads took all three points back to North Wales. 

What’s Next?

The Nomads hope to transfer their bright league form into the FAW Welsh Cup next weekend as Novira Cymru North side Porthmadog visit the Essity Stadium on Friday, 16 October (7:45pm KO) 

Tickets for this cup fixture are available to purchase via our Fanbase system below:

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/connahs-quay-nomads/23416 

Match Report by Adam Angerer