Connah’s Quay 1-2 Kilmarnock: Late heartbreak for Nomads as Killie score late
Connah’s Quay conceded an injury-time winner as advantage went to Kilmarnock in their Europa League tie.
Defender Stuart Findlay scored with a minute to go after the Scottish Premiership side came from behind to claim a victory in their first European game in 18-years.
Greg Taylor’s own-goal gave Connah’s Quay a shock lead but Eamon Brophy equalised from the spot before Findlay headed home to give Angelo Alessio the win in his first competitive game in charge of the Scottish outfit.
Kilmarnock started the game the brighter of the two sides but struggled to create any clear cut chances as the Nomads decided to sit back and absorb the pressure.
The Nomads did begin to find a bit of rhythm towards the halfway point in the first half, but ultimately couldn’t create any meaningful opportunities as the visitors went close through Eamonn Brophy, whose low shot was fired narrowly wide!
Connah’s Quay Nomads started the second half the brighter of the two sides, having more of the ball and having much better ball retention than in the first half. However, they were still struggling to create chances in attack.
Kilmarnock then went close through Chris Burke, whose speculative effort was deflected wide, before the resulting corner was cleared off the line by Nomads keeper Lewis Brass.
But then the game sprung into life! Fantastic play down the left flank by Declan Poole and Callum Roberts led to the latter firing in a low cross that was put into his own net by Greg Taylor.
Kilmarnock responded well though and was given a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise just five minutes later, as the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors after a clumsy challenge on Chris Burke by Callum Roberts.
Eamonn Brophy scored the resulting spot-kick to put them back on level terms and ensured a tense last 10 minutes for both sides.
But the match wasn’t finished just yet, and with less than a minute remaining, Stuart Findlay headed home from a Chris Burke corner to ensure the visitors ended the match firmly in the ascendancy ahead of the second leg in Scotland next week.
Connah’s Quay Nomads manager Andy Morrison told the Daily Post:
“I am incredibly proud of the effort.
“To come up with a gameplan to nullify a Scottish Premier League team and for them to have one shot on target really that forced a save from Lewis (Brass), and we have got to pick the ball out of the net twice, that was really hard to take.
“It’s incredibly tough to take. We went toe to toe with them. Everything worked and they ran out of ideas. It took a couple of crazy decisions by us.
(Featured Image: NCM Media)
