Newtown 1-5 Connah’s Quay Nomads: Rampant second-half display secures emphatic win for Nomads
Connah’s Quay Nomads came from behind to continue their rampant form with a 5–1 win over a battling Newtown at Latham Park.
Despite falling behind from an early goal from Newtown striker Jamie Breese, the Nomads responded well, as Craig Curran found a swift equaliser.
A dominant second-half display saw Andy Morrison’s side take a commanding position with goals from Neil Danns and Callum Morris.
Late goals from Michael Wilde and Jamie Insall put the icing on the cake for the Nomads, as they sealed another three points.
The victory sees the league-leaders record 57 points at the end of Phase One, three points ahead of The New Saints, who claimed a 4-1 win over Caernarfon Town.
Despite a competitive performance for large parts of the game, Newtown succumb to their 12th defeat of the season, as they are overtaken by Aberystwyth Town, who claimed a 3-1 victory over Cefn Druids.
The game sparked into life immediately as Newtown hit on the counter-attack to open the scoring in just the third minute.
Striker Breese got in behind the Nomads defence and raced through to slide past Oliver Byrne for the opening goal.
Despite falling behind, Morrison’s side responded well and went close to an immediate equaliser.
Attacker Curran found space in the box to lay the ball off to experienced midfielder Danns, whose effort from the edge of the box struck the woodwork.
The visitors continued to apply pressure and they broke Robins’ resistance to level proceedings.
A long-throw into the box fell to Curran, who turned and hooked the ball past Dave Jones to draw the league-leaders level.
Newtown responded well to the Nomads’ equaliser and continued to battle, as Nick Rushton crossed superbly for Breese, who couldn’t quite direct his header goalwards.
The Nomads continued to create chances, however, as the ball dropped kindly to Danns in the box, but the midfielder fired over from close range.
Hughes’ side continued to battle well with the league leaders, as both sides went into the break with the score level at 1-1.
The Nomads started the second-half brightly and forced an early chance, as Curran crossed well for Aron Williams, who headed wide of the mark.
Much like in the first half, Newtown proved to be stern competition for the Phase One pacesetters and created chances of their own.
Breese was found in space on the edge of the box, but the striker fired wide of the mark.
Morrison’s side showed their quality, however, as they forced themselves into the lead just a few minutes after the hour mark.
The industrious Danns lifted the ball over Jones in the Newtown goal and headed into an empty net to give the Nomads the lead.
The visitors continued to create chances and made the pressure count, adding to their lead with fifteen minutes remaining.
Williams’ long-throw into the box saw George Horan brought down in the box, as Callum Morris dispatched the penalty to add a third goal.
With just five minutes left, Nomads striker Wilde, who caused problems throughout, got himself on the scoresheet, heading home an excellent cross from left-back Kris Owens.
Morrison’s men compiled the Robins’ misery in injury time, with substitutes Aeron Edwards and Jamie Insall combining; the latter headed past Jones to add a fifth goal and seal another victory for the reigning champions.
Newtown: Dave Jones, Jake Phillips, Jack Kelly, Sean McAllister (Alex Fletcher 61’), Kieran Mills-Evans (C), James O’Neill (Jordan Evans 82’), Nick Rushton (Lifumpa Mwandwe 82’), Jamie Breese, Tyrone Ofori (James Davies 75’), George Hughes (Ryan Edwards 82’), Shane Sutton
Goals: Jamie Breese 3’
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Oliver Byrne, George Horan (C), Danny Harrison (Aeron Edwards 61’), Callum Morris, Michael Wilde, Neil Danns, Danny Holmes, Kris Owens, Craig Curran (Jamie Insall 61’), Aron Williams, Danny Davies (Johnny Hunt 75’)
Goals: Craig Curran 20’, Neil Danns 63’, Callum Morris 75’, Michael Wilde 85’, Jamie Insall 90’
Yellow Cards: Michael Wilde 53’
