Cardiff Metropolitan 1-2 Connah’s Quay: Curran snatches late victory for Nomads.
Connah’s Quay battled from behind to claim victory over Cardiff Metropolitan at Cyncoed Campus.
Goals from both Craig Curran and Priestley Farquharson in the last quarter cancelled out Dylan Rees’ 42nd minute opener.
The Archers battled well with the Nomads for most of the game but lapses in concentration proved costly as they remain winless at home.
Nomads’ only dampener of the afternoon. was an injury suffered to Mike Wilde who required stitches for a head injury.
Nomads’ began on the front foot as Wilde forced Dylan Rees into a goal-saving block.
The visitors were moving the ball into the six-yard box well as they penned Met into their own half.
Another opportunity presented itself to the Nomads as Farquharson’s header glanced wide of the goal from Aron Williams’ cross.
Later it was Liam Black who blocked Callum Morris’ shot from close-range after good attacking work from Danny Davies.
Nomads’ attacking options were limited however after an aerial duel resulted in Michael Wilde being replaced by Declan Poole.
Wilde’s departure from the game allowed allowed the Met to stand firm in aerial duels.
Against the run of play, Met took the lead in their first meaningful chance of the game.
In a counter-attacking move, Liam Warman found Dylan Rees on the edge of the box and his low driven effort deflected past the already positioned Lewis Brass.
After taking the lead, Met were having to deal with a number of corners but were standing tall against a physical outfit.
Sameron Singh-Dool had the last chance of the half as his half-volley bobbled past the post.
At the break, Aeron Edwards was introduced for Jay Owen.
Nomads in search of an equaliser early in the second-half nearly had it as Curran flicked a header at Fuller.
Met were still playing well in defence and Joe Evans highlighted that with a block on Aron Williams.
They did however lose goalscorer Dylan Rees as he was replaced by Tom Wright, who was making his debut.
Nomads had a penalty shout on the hour mark as Kris Owens hit an attempted shot but the referee had his arms down.
Highlighting his versatility, Farquharson showed his strikers instinct as he drew the Nomads level after a positional change.
In his new position, Farquharson leapt highest to header past Fuller.
From the equaliser, the Nomads took it up a level as they peppered the Met goal.
With three minutes remaining on the clock, Nomads turned the game around as they took the lead.
Craig Curran flicked the ball up for himself before scoring with a bicycle kick past the rooted Fuller.
In a scrappy four minutes of stoppage time, Met’s closest opportunity to an equaliser was a speculative effort from Joe Evans.
Nomads were able to grind the victory in stoppage time and now prepare for the trip to Park Hall to face the unbeaten New Saints.
Cardiff Met: Will Fuller, Dylan Rees (Tom Wright, 59), Kyle McCarthy, Bradley Woolridge, Harry Warwick (Brandon Roberts, 82), Charlie Corsby, Ollie Hulbert, Joe Evans, Rhydian Morgan, Liam Warman (Sam Pashen, 72), Liam Black.
Goals: Dylan Rees 41,
Yellow Cards: Dylan Rees 45, Harry Warwick 74, Joe Evans 84’
Connah’s Quay: Lewis Brass, John Disney, Priestley Farquharson, Callum Morris (C), Mike Wilde (Declan Poole, 21), Jay Owen, Kris Owens, Craig Curran, Sameron Singh-Dool, Aron Williams, Danny Davies.
Goals: Priestley Farquharson 76, Craig Curran 87′
Yellow Cards: John Disney 20, Sameron Singh-Dool 24, Lewis Brass 90’
(Featured Image: Nikitas Mesney/Connah’s Quay Nomads)
