Connah’s Quay Nomads first team coach Craig Harrison praised his side’s comeback performance to avoid exiting the JD Welsh Cup in the third round away at Guilsfield FC.
The Huws Gray Alliance side shocked the cup holders to go 2-0 up within 30 minutes, but a spirited second half performance from Nomads took the game to extra time, where a further two goals booked Connah’s Quay’s place in the fourth round draw.
Harrison said: “We made it hard for ourselves, in the first half we weren’t great. We gave two poor goals away, which isn’t like Connah’s Quay at all, from two set pieces which is desperately disappointing.”
After two goals in eight minutes from Callum Bromley and Steve Blenkinsop had rocked Nomads, Ryan Wignall was introduced to help spark a fightback from Nomads.
Harrison praised the winger, saying: “I think Wiggy changed the game, he was fantastic, and we’ve scored all four goals from building up play in the wide areas.
Despite a poor showing on a heavy pitch in the first half, he was pleased with Nomads’ second half reaction.
“We changed a couple of things at half time, and said you’ve got yourselves in this situation, now we’ve got to get out of it – and the lads were fantastic.
“They stood up as men, counted, and in the end we probably could have scored six or seven, but fair play to Guilsfield, they put us under pressure and it was a tough game.”
Callum Morris flicked a header past goalkeeper Michael Jones to reduce the deficit in the 54th minute.
It wasn’t until 14 minutes before the end of normal time that the equaliser came, with Bakare sending a powerful effort through a busy area to make it 2-2.
Although both sides had chances to win the game late on, it went to extra time where a 97th minute header from Wilde finally gave Nomads control, before a 110th minute strike from Wignall kept Connah’s Quay’s cup defence on track.
The ex TNS and Bangor boss reflected on a positive season for Nomads so far as they head into the festive period.
“We’ve had a really good season up to date, we’re into the semi finals of the Irn Bru Cup, through in the JD Welsh Cup, and top of the league at this moment in time.
“The challenges are every single week, and that goes for here today, the pitch was tricky for both teams, but if you’re going to be a top team and win things, then you’ve got to make sure you’re ready for it every week because everyone wants to beat you.”
Featured Image: Tom Houghton
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