West stunner inspires Nomads to statement win over TNS

Connah’s Quay Nomads closed the gap on JD Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints to four points after a statement 3-1 victory at the Essity Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

Rhys Hughes’ penalty and Max Woodcock’s close-range finish saw the Nomads open up a two-goal cushion at half-time, putting John Disney's side on course for a seventh straight league win.

Jordan Williams gave Saints a lifeline with his finish one-on-one with Kit Margetson, but a moment of brilliance from West ensured the Nomads claimed all three points.  

West intercepted the ball in midfield, ran into the area, and sat down three defenders, including Nathan Shepperd before firing home into an empty net, leaving the whole of the Essity in awe. 

This was our first league win over TNS since 2021, while another impressive victory also means we have surpassed our entire point tally achieved from last season. 

Team News

John Disney made three changes from our 2-0 win over Flint Town United as Kai Edwards, Declan Poole and captain Chris Marriott returned to replace Callum Bratley, Abdi Sharif and Marco Fregapane. 

TNS manager Craig Harrison made two changes from his side’s victory at Briton Ferry Llansawel three weeks ago as Irish duo Rory Holden and Ben Wilson replaced Louis Phillips and Harrison McGahey. Former Nomad Danny Davies, who won the league title during his time in Flintshire, captained the visitors. 

First Half 

Saints struck the woodwork just four minutes into the contest as Ben Clark’s direct corner came back off the post. 

The Nomads did well to clear a flurry of deliveries into the box and just five minutes later, the hosts went up the other end and found the breakthrough as Jordan Marshall’s foul on Harry Franklin inside the area allowed Rhys Hughes to convert the resulting penalty and bag his 10th league goal of the season. 

Hughes nearly turned provider for Franklin in the 19th minute, but Clark tracked back to intercept a square ball across goal. 

Disney was forced to turn to his bench for the first time on 36 minutes after a slight knock to Franklin meant Max Woodcock was introduced up front. 

Woodcock made an instant impact by doubling the lead nine minutes after being subbed on as the young forward turned home Noah Edwards’ fierce cross into the six-yard box. 

Saints had a glorious chance to pull a goal back as we entered first half stoppage-time, but Rory Holden was unable to test Kit Margetson with his header from close range. 

Second Half  

Saints did take their early second half opportunity though, as Jordan Williams raced onto Ryan Brobbel’s lobbed through ball and slotted beyond Margetson to half the deficit. 

After Callum Bratley was introduced in place of our first scorer Hughes, Margetson was called into action and produced a quality and crucial save to keep out Brobbel’s free-kick from the edge of the area. 

Saints were pushing for an equaliser, but some resolute defending from the Nomads continued to frustrate Craig Harrison’s side. 

All nerves were put to bed nine minutes prior to the full-time whistle as West dispossessed Dominic Corness in midfield, sprinted into the area and left Danny Davies and Nathan Shepperd on the floor before tapping home into an empty net to score what will surely be one of the goals of the season. 

Saints failed to pose any major threat in the closing stages, with their closest chance coming courtesy of Williams, whose strike from the halfway line rattled the crossbar. 

The Nomads are now 12 JD Cymru Premier games unbeaten and with top six already confirmed, the next aim will be to secure a place in European Qualification by the end of the season. 

As 2025 comes to an end, we’d like to thank all our fans for their incredible support at the Essity Stadium and on the road. We hope you have all enjoyed a wholesome matchday experience at least once this year, and we can’t wait to see you all again in 2026! 

What's Next?

Our first game of 2026 is just three days away as we host Barry Town United at the Essity in a rescheduled league fixture (Saturday, 3 January - 2:30pm KO).  

It was a positive point and display in a goalless draw with the Linnets at Jenner Park back in September, but this time around, we’ll be searching for another three points and an eighth straight league win. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer