Nomads set new attendance record in Flintshire derby win

Connah’s Quay Nomads broke their attendance record for a competitive fixture on Friday evening as goals from Callum West and Harry Franklin secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium. 

From the start, Alex Catton’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ project had the primary aim of achieving a crowd of over 1,000 fans, and after four weeks of promotion and event planning, we were proud to announce an official attendance of 1,557 - a new record for a CQN home fixture and the Essity Stadium. 

Hard work from Alex, his brother and Technical Director Jay Catton, and also our dedicated staff and volunteers ensured this matchday went smoothly. All of us involved at the Nomads were rewarded with just seven minutes on the clock as West sent a clinical first-time effort into the bottom corner, which sparked wild celebrations amongst the Connah’s Quay Nomads academy stars behind the goal. 

The Nomads were forced to defend their lead for the majority of the second half, but a crucial second goal arrived late on which put the game to bed as Franklin’s close-range strike squirmed under goalkeeper Jack Flint. 

John Disney’s side are now unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions, with this sixth consecutive home win keeping the Nomads second in the table, just six points behind leaders The New Saints. 

Team News

Disney made two changes to his team that played out a goalless draw with TNS last weekend as Conor Partridge and Jordan Hodkin returned to the starting lineup in place of Freddie Redshaw and Abdi Sharif, who has been called up to Somalia once again for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Ghana later this month. 

Novira Cymru Premier Player of the Month nominee Dan Cowan continued to captain the Nomads, with fellow centre-back James Jones still sidelined through injury. 

Flint manager and former Connah’s Quay top-flight title winner Danny Holmes made just one change to his side that beat Holywell Town 5-0 last weekend as Charlie Wilson replaced absent forward Tunde Owolabi.

First Half

It was the perfect start for the Nomads as West opened the scoring inside just seven minutes. Chris Renshaw clipped a ball over to the right-hand side, which Flint defender Mikey Burke misjudged, allowing West to latch onto Renshaw’s pass and pick out the bottom corner with an exquisite first-time finish for his eighth goal of the season. 

Flint had a glorious chance to equalise shortly past the hour mark when Lee Jonas ran onto a through ball down the right, but he could only fire wide of the post, untroubling Renshaw. 

The Nomads also went close twice more at the end of the half as Franklin saw his effort blocked at the back post before Max Woodcock’s low drive from the edge of the area flew a whisker wide of the bottom corner. 

Flint did test Renshaw in first half stoppage time, but our goalkeeper came up clutch with a fine diving save to keep out Isaac Modi’s strike which took a wicked deflection off Alex Hughes. 

Second Half

Hodkin had the first real opportunity of the second half when his fierce effort from a tight angle was palmed away by Jack Flint. 

The Silkmen probably should have levelled the scoreline moments later when Cowan’s clearance fell to an unmarked Harrison McGahey, who could only shoot wide of the post. 

Flint’s best chance came just two minutes after McGahey’s miss as Lassana Mendes dispossessed Partridge and played a low cross into Jonas, who slid in to get a decent connection on the ball, but saw his attempt bounce back off the post. 

Connah’s Quay substitutes Rhys Watson and Freddie Redshaw almost combined for a second goal just a few minutes after their introductions as Watson headed inches over the bar from Redshaw’s cross. 

Redshaw himself went for goal in the next action point as the 20-year-old cut inside and aimed for the top corner with a dipping effort, but he was also millimetres away from his first Nomads goal. 

Despite those close chances and a few penalty appeals for Fling which were turned away, the Nomads eventually eased their frustration as Harry Owen’s tame clearance fell to Franklin, who doubled the advantage with four minutes remaining with a powerful first-time strike which snuck underneath Jack Flint and nestled into the net. Franklin now has five goal contributions in our last four home games. 

West nearly wrapped up derby day with a stunning solo goal in stoppage-time as he danced his way past the Flint defence and saw his curling shot tipped over the bar. Flint thought they had halved the deficit in the closing seconds when Ben Hughes’ effort deflected off Cowan and found a way past Renshaw, but the goal was disallowed for an earlier offside, meaning the Nomads were able to keep their fourth consecutive clean sheet. 

What’s Next? 

After setting a new club record attendance for the Flintshire derby, we now hope to sustain and build on this matchday experience. We hope you all revisit us soon at the Essity Stadium to come and watch the high-quality football we have on show for you. 

Our next home game comes next Friday, 13 November as the Nomads host fourth tier Mochdre Sports in the FAW Welsh Cup third round. Tickets for this fixture are now available to purchase via our Fanbase system below: 

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/fixture/connahs-quay-nomads/23832 

Match Report by Adam Angerer