Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Cardiff Met: Morrison’s men battle to victory at the Deeside Stadium
The Nomads reign victorious over Cardiff Met in the league once again.
An early goal from Michael Wilde gave the Nomads the lead, as he headed home from Brayden Shaw’s cross in only the third minute.
Emlyn Lewis equalised for the visitors in the 18th minute, as Ollie Hulbert chipped the ball over Oliver Byrne, and Lewis tapped him into an empty net. This was the only clear chance that Met had throughout the entirety of the first half.
Morrison’s men kept getting corner after corner for the rest of the second half, as they continued to dominate possession. This possession didn’t lead to anything other than a few squandered chances.
The sides went in at half time with a 1-1 scoreline.
Both sides came back out to a windier and wetter Deeside Stadium, as the conditions continued to worsen during half time and in the second half.
Aron Williams’ dangerous crosses were a thorn in the side of Cardiff Met, as Alex Lang and the Met defence kept having to deal with the inviting crosses.
Callum Morris had an effort saved in the 54th minute, as he curled a strike from distance but could only earn the Nomads a corner.
Danny Davies had the opportunity to give the Nomads the lead, but his tame effort when one-on-one was easily collected by Lang.
Andy Morrison sent central defender, and skipper, George Horan up front to start the second half. This decision paid off in the 64th minute, as Horan headed home from a Declan Poole cross.
Between the 80th and 88th minute, it was all Cardiff Met. They had the Nomads pinned in their own half, and kept pinging balls into the home side’s box. The Nomads were defensively solid, and didn’t allow Met to have a clear opportunity, and thwarted any attack they started.
Williams secured all three points for the home side, as he slotted home from about eight yards following a Davies through ball in the 88th minute.
The Nomads remain in second place, three points behind leaders TNS, but with a game in hand.
Cardiff Met also remain in eighth, but with only five games until the split, it looks unlikely that the Archers will break into the top six.
Both sides next play on boxing day, as Connah’s Quay travel to Flint, and Cardiff Met travel to Newtown.
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Oliver Byrne (GK), John Disney, George Horan (C), Callum Morris, Michael Wilde, Brayden Shaw (Kris Owens 45′), Declan Poole, Danny Holmes, Aron Williams, Danny Davies, Aeron Edwards.
Goals: Wilde 3′, Horan 64′, Williams 88′
Yellow cards: Morris 85′
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang (GK), Bradley Woolridge (C), Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Charlie Corsby, Ollie Hulbert, Joseph Evans (Price 78′), Rhydian Morgan, Liam Warman (Pashen 63′), Matthew Chubb, Liam Black.
Goals: Lewis 18′
The live updates as it happened from the Deeside Stadium is below:
