West and Franklin combine twice as Nomads sink Dudno for seventh straight win

Callum West and Harry Franklin scored and also assisted each other as Connah’s Quay Nomads extended their winning run to seven matches with a 2-0 victory over Llandudno in the Novira Cymru Premier at the Essity Stadium on Saturday. 

The Nomads remarkably opened the scoring after just 25 seconds as West produced a clinical finish into the bottom corner to mark his milestone 50th appearance for the club with a goal. 

Llandudno were reduced to 10 players shortly before half time as Jayden Lloyd was sent off for a reckless challenge on Frankie Deane. The Nomads took full advantage and found a crucial second goal 13 minutes after the restart as West released Franklin, who netted his sixth league goal of the season. 

It remained a quiet afternoon for Nomads goalkeeper Chris Renshaw as John Disney’s side kept their fifth consecutive home clean sheet and strengthened their place in second in the Novira Cymru Premier. 

Team News

Disney made two changes from our 4-0 victory over Porthmadog in the FAW Welsh Cup last weekend as Joe Simatupang-Ferguson and Shane Flynn were welcomed back into the starting lineup following their recent injuries. James Jones, Adam McCoy and Mikey Stone were absent through their respective knocks. 

Llandudno manager Jordan Hadaway made four changes from his side’s narrow 1-0 cup win against third tier Llannefydd as Iwan Cartwright, Joel Torrance, Harvey Bennett and Niall Flint replaced Ross Weaver, Shaun Pearson, Kieran Smith and Marc Williams. Former Nomads Kai Edwards and Ben Maher were amongst the Seasiders’ starting lineup. 

First Half

It was a dream start for the Nomads as West found the breakthrough with just 25 seconds on the clock. Jordan Hodkin breezed past Edwards and delivered a teasing cross into the box, where Iwan Murray and Franklin both played neat first-time passes before West sent a clinical low drive into the bottom corner. Throughout his 50 games for the Nomads, West has now contributed to an impressive 33 goals. 

The Nomads were forced into their first change on the 15 minute mark as Anthony Stephens’ rash sliding tackle on Flynn meant the Irish full-back was unable to continue with play. Former Cymru U21 Rhys Watson was introduced in Flynn’s place. 

Llandudno’s only real opportunity of the whole match fell to Tom Stephens, who just a few minutes after being booked saw his volley at the back post blocked well by Nomads captain Dan Cowan. 

Franklin thought he doubled the Nomads’ lead on 34 minutes he produced a neat finish off the post when receiving the ball from Hodkin’s scuffed shot, but the flag was raised on the far touchline as Max Woodcock was deemed offside when delivering the initial cross. 

Llandudno were a goal down and soon found themselves a man down too, as Deane skillfully got past Bennett before he was brought to the ground by Lloyd’s cynical foul. Referee Alex McInch did not hesitate and rightly showed the red card to Lloyd, who was given his marching orders. 

Franklin came extremely close to finding the net three minutes before half time as his header from Woodcock’s cross forced a fingertip save from Torrance. Franklin tried to pick up the pieces on the rebound, but he could nod onto the post, while Murray and Woodcock both had efforts blocked from inside the six-yard box as the clock ticked into first half stoppage time. 

Hodkin also nearly doubled the advantage in style as he brought down Alex Hughes’ clipped pass, turned smartly on the edge of the area and fired inches over the crossbar with a powerful strike. 

Second Half

Franklin had been denied by an offside and the woodwork, but he was not to be kept out at the third time of asking as he made it 2-0 early in the second half. Somalian international Abdi Sharif immediately settled into the game well after coming on for Murray ahead of the restart and he picked out West, whose through ball allowed Franklin to curl past Torrance into the bottom corner. 

Woodcock thought he had added a third goal for the Nomads with 20 minutes remaining when he ran onto West’s cross and fired in at the back post, but the Scotsman was once again deemed to be offside. There was a brief VAR check on Woodcock’s strike, but the on-field decision of no goal stood. 

Freddie Redshaw, who was celebrating his birthday, was brought onto the pitch along with fellow substitutes Conor Partridge and Egyptian international Hussein Mehasseb, and all three helped see the game out as the Nomads secured their seventh straight win in all competitions. 

John Disney has now beat every team he has faced at least once since taking over as Nomads manager at the start of last season. This impressive victory keeps Disney’s side second in the table and six points behind current leaders The New Saints, who the Nomads travel to face next on Saturday, 31 October (5:15pm KO), with this fixture live on Sgorio. 

Next Home Game

Our next home game is sure to be one for the memory books as both the Nomads and Flint Town United aim to have a crowd of over 1,000 fans inside the Essity Stadium on Friday, 6 November for the Flintshire derby! 

Just one hour before the 8pm kick-off, supporters can watch the annual RNLI Flint Lifeboat fireworks display. A combined, affordable ticket offer for both fireworks and football can be purchased exclusively via our Fanbase system:

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/connahs-quay-nomads/23783

Our project, titled ‘Friday Night Lights’ will also have a special half time show as viral internet sensation Kid De Gea faces penalties from both the Nomads and Flint academies. Bonni’s Pizza, The Sweet Box Wrexham and Coffee Dream will also have stalls outside the ground as we aim to improve the matchday experience for everyone. Free parking for this event is available at Flint retail park. 

Stay tuned to our social media channels over the next few days for more exciting announcements surrounding this event! 

Match Report by Adam Angerer