Connah’s Quay Nomads ran out convincing 5-0 winners in a one-sided affair against struggling Cefn Druids at the Rock.
Captain Callum Morris marked his return to the starting line-up with a hat-trick, while striker Michael Wilde netted a brace.
Andy Morrison’s side remain unbeaten in the league after four wins and a draw from their opening five matches.
The Druids’ difficult start to the season continued, and they remain at the foot of the table having lost four of their five games to date.
The game started with both sides testing each other’s resolve in the midfield, with neither managing to get a foot hold or make either keeper work in the opening quarter of an hour.
Nomads were forced into an early substitution when Aeron Edwards limped off on 13 minutes to be replaced by Declan Poole.
Minutes later, the substitute set up the game’s opening goal with a low cross that was turned home by Wilde.
Connah’s Quay began to show their championship credentials as they took hold of the midfield battle, totally neutralising Druids and setting up camp in their half.
The only other chance of the opening period fell to the head of Jamie Reed, the Druids forward, who flicked the ball wide of the post.
Conversely, Nomads could – or should – have had at least another goal before the break. Danny Davies forced a low save from Michael Jones in the Druids goal on the half hour, while both Wilde and Sameron Dool had efforts cleared off the line in quick succession, with Jones stranded on the floor.
Wilde twice set excellent chances wide of the post in as many minutes as the half drew to a close.
The experienced front man had a header brilliantly saved from point-blank range two minutes into the second-half, injuring himself in the process and requiring lengthy treatment.
Druids made their first change of the game six minutes into the half, Naim Arsan replaced Josef Faux on the left wing. The substitute’s headed clearance a minute later landed at the feet of Morris, who curled in a left-footed drive from 12 yards to score his first of the day.
He scored his second goal just minutes later. Wilde rose above the defence to head the ball over the keeper and it landed between the feet of Morris, who adjusted and tapped the ball into the open net.
Druids’ best chance of the game came on 56 minutes when Reed found himself in space on the left side of the box, however he was unable to work the keeper. It was to be his last contribution, as he made way for Thomas Reilly as manager Bruno Lopes tried to shore up his defence.
The tactical change looked like it had breathed life into Druids as they were more lively on the ball, but they couldn’t convert the possession into any more clear cut chances.
Morrison brought on Priestley Farquharson for Dool, pushing John Disney into an attacking midfield role with less than 30 minutes left.
With quarter of an hour to play, a Josh Green handball in the box saw Nomads awarded a penalty, and Morris stepped up to complete his hat-trick, drilling into the bottom right hand corner.
Aron Williams replaced Craig Curran and set up Wilde’s second of the afternoon, with another low and hard cross forced in by the powerful forward.
Nomads dominated the midfield and didn’t allow the home side any time on the ball at all, retaining their place at the top of the table while the Druids remain cemented to the foot.
You can follow live updates of the match from The Rock here:
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
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