Connah’s Quay Nomads took a big step towards the Cymru Premier title with a dramatic 2–1 win over Barry Town United at Jenner Park.
Despite falling behind to Theo Wharton’s second-half strike, the Nomads responded excellently with a quick-fire double.
Midfielder Callum Morris’s emphatically dispatched penalty and Craig Curran’s close-range gave the Nomads a vital three points.
The victory sees the Nomads remain top of the table, two points ahead of rivals The New Saints, who claimed a 3–0 win over Penybont.
Despite a much-improved, competitive performance throughout, Barry Town’s winless run is extended to seven games.
The Nomads started well and forced the first opportunity of the game, as Danny Davies crossed excellently for striker Jamie Insall, whose header at goal was well kept out by Barry Town goalkeeper Mike Lewis.
In a competitive start, Morrison’s men pressed for the opener and could have gone ahead when captain George Horan met Declan Poole’s corner but headed narrowly over.
Insall and Wilde looked typically dangerous and went close with a great piece of interplay before a superb piece of defending from Evan Press denied the chance to shoot.
Barry Town looked dangerous on the counter-attack, however, looking to utilise the pace of both Curtis Jemmett-Hutson and Rhys Kavanagh, the latter firing narrowly wide from the edge of the box with the Linnets’ first chance.
Chesterfield’s side continued to grow into the game and looked much improved from their weekend defeat to Bala Town, as Press went close to setting Jemmett-Hutson through.
Kavanagh looked lively for the hosts and posed a real danger, beating his man on the edge of the box, before forcing a save out of Nomads goalkeeper Oliver Byrne.
Shortly before half-time, the Linnets had another dangerous counter-attack, this time led by young left-back Rhys Abbruzzese, who drove well and found Jordan Cotterill, whose effort at goal was saved by Byrne.
After a competitive first-half with chances for both sides, it was goalless heading into the break.
The second period started at an end-to-end pattern, as Nomads defender Kris Owens’ cross was headed towards Insall by Wilde, only for Luke Cooper to clear.
As Barry Town countered, Kavanagh found space on the left to cross, but his delivery just evaded the on-rushing Jamie Bird.
The Linnets continued to be positive and went close through Abbruzzese’s low free-kick delivery, which was almost met by Cooper.
As the Nomads grew into the second period, Morrison’s side had numerous opportunities to deliver into the box through free-kicks, with substitute Craig Curran going closest, as he headed narrowly wide.
Barry Town were rewarded for their bright performance, as they took the lead in the 66th minute.
A great reverse-pass from Jordan Cotterill found Jemmett-Hutson in space on the right. The attacker cut-back to midfielder Wharton, who lashed the ball home to give the Linnets the advantage.
The Nomads responded well to falling behind and went close to an immediate equaliser, as captain Horan fired narrowly wide from inside the box.
In another positive attack for Morrison’s side, midfielder Poole looked certain to score, before going down under the challenge of Rhys Abbruzzese with referee Dean John awarding a penalty.
The spot-kick was dispatched emphatically by Callum Morris to bring the Nomads level in the 75th minute.
As the league-leaders had momentum, they looked to grab a second goal and did so just three minutes later.
A delivery into the box was headed back across goal by Wilde and substitute Curran was on-hand to turn the game on its head and give the Nomads the lead.
Despite Barry Town’s efforts to find an equaliser, the visitors managed the game well and defended their lead resolutely.
In the dying minutes, Linnets playmaker Jordan Cotterill was shown a second yellow, as the Nomads held on for a crucial three points.
In the final two fixtures of the season, Connah’s Quay Nomads face Caernarfon Town and Penybont, while Barry Town travel to The New Saints, before hosting Caernarfon Town.
Barry Town United: Mike Lewis, Luke Cooper (C), Jordan Cotterill, Luke Cummings, Curtis Jemmett-Hutson, Theo Wharton (85’), Curtis McDonald (Kyle Patten 64’), Rhys Abbruzzese, Rhys Kavanagh, Jamie Bird (Robbie Patten 79’), Evan Press
Goals: Theo Wharton 66’
Yellow Cards: Curtis Jemmett-Hutson 59’, Luke Cooper 80’
Red Cards: Jordan Cotterill 90’
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Oliver Byrne, John Disney, George Horan (C), Danny Harrison (Craig Curran 54’), Callum Morris, Mike Wilde, Jamie Insall (Neil Danns 90’), Declan Poole, Kris Owens, Danny Davies, Aeron Edwards
Goals: Callum Morris 75, Craig Curran 78’
Yellow Cards: Danny Davies 62’, John Disney 87’
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