Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-0 Bala Town: Late show keeps Nomads hot on heels of Saints
Connah’s Quay left it late to take all three points from Bala Town from a tightly contested affair at Deeside Stadium.
The win means Connah’s Quay are still level on points with TNS in the race for the Cymru Premier title ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.
Declan Poole gave Nomads the lead after 86 minutes with a well-taken curling shot through a crowd of players. George Horan made it two with a header after 89 minutes.
After a tight first half where neither side really were able to gain a foothold in the game, the home side cranked up the pressure in the second. Nomads manager Andy Morrison made two changes at halftime and Connah’s Quay pushed Bala into defending much of the second half.
After a scrappy start to the game Connah’s Quay looked to utilise wide areas to send in crosses towards Michael Wilde. Daniel Davies trying early on but Alex Ramsey in the Bala goal able to punch away. Declan Poole also tried to do the same but again Ramsey able to collect the ball.
Henry Jones was Bala’s most lively player in the first half, he was able to send in a few crosses looking for Chris Venables but the Nomad’s were able to deal with the danger.
The home side had the best chance of the half when Neil Danns put the ball over just yards from the goal line. Daniel Davies sent in a free kick which was cleared but only to John Disney. Disney was able to find Dann’s in front of goal but somehow he was unable to direct the ball on target.
Alex Ramsey almost gifted Connah’s Quay the lead as he almost punched the ball into his own net but was saved by one of his team mates.
The Nomads continued to work from wide areas and cross to Wilde who had two chances that went close.
Towards the end of the first half Jon Disney, making his 100th league start had a shot from outside the box but sent his effort wide.
Andy Morrison made a double change at half time replacing Neil Danns and John Hunt with Craig Curran and Jamie Insall. The changes almost made an instant impact as Insall’s onward header found Wilde who forced a decent save from Ramsey. Moments later Ramsey had to save again as the Nomads stepped up a gear.
Nomad’s keeper Oliver Byrne almost set up Wilde for a goal as his long kick fell to the striker. Wilde got his head on the ball but it was tame and easy for Ramsey to collect.
Insall found space out wide to send the ball into the box but Kieran Smith was quick to clear the ball.
Poole tried a cross towards Wilde, but he couldn’t send the ball towards goal. The home side were pushing for the opening goal. Wilde flicked on looking for Insall but Bala able to deal with it. George Horan headed wide from a corner.
Horan had another chance from a cross from Davies but could only find the hands of Ramsey. Connah’s Quay kept probing as Craig Curran headed to Insall who forced a save from Ramsey.
The pressure told after 86 minutes as Poole found the net. Poole sent in a corner which came out to the edge of the box. Poole himself collected the lose ball and sent a curling effort through a crowd of players into the corner of the goal.
Three minutes later and Connah’s Quay made sure of the win. George Horan with a deftly flicked header into the corner of the goal.
A deserved win for the home side after a solid second-half performance.
Connah’s Quay: Oliver Byrne (GK), John Disney (Aron Williams 69), John Hunt (Jamie Insall 45), George Horan (C), Daniel Harrison, Callum Morris, Michael Wilde, Neil Danns (Craig Curran 45), Declan Poole, Aeron Edwards (Kris Owens 90+1)
Goals: Declan Poole 86, George Horan 89
Yellow Cards: John Hunt 11, John Disney 56, Callum Morris 68, Aeron Edwards 73
Bala Town: Alex Ramsey (GK), Sean Smith (Andrew Burns 90+1), Nathan Peate, Anthony Stephens, Jonathan Spittle, Raul Correia (Steven Leslie 79), Henry Jones, Kieran Smith, Liam Davies (Daniel Gosset 90+1), Jack Mackreth (Ryan Pryce 90+1), Chris Venables (C)
Yellow Cards: Raul Correia 27, Sean Smith 81
(Featured Image: Nikitas Mesney)
