Connah’s Quay successfully began their defence of the Cymru Premier title as they claimed an opening day victory over the Cefn Druids at The Rock. An own goal in the first minute from Joe Faux set the stage for a dominant Nomads performance. The Cymru Premier champions would have two goals chalked off before captain George Horan headed in a second to secure a comfortable return to league football for Connah’s Quay.
A fervent start by Connah’s Quay was rewarded almost immediately when Joe Faux inadvertently put through his own net. A looping throw into the box by Kris Owens was aimed towards Jordan Davies and Jamie Mullan whose running appears to confuse the Druids defence. Neither Nomads man managed to get a touch on the ball, instead bouncing off the Druids wing back and sneaking in at the front post.
As the first half progressed Connah’s Quay began to control proceedings and were getting the ball out to the wings in high frequency. Aron Williams was particularly dangerous running at Charley Edge and clipping the ball from the byline. With quarter of an hour played George Horan should have doubled the Nomads’ lead when he met Williams’ cross at the back post but could only find the side netting after rushing in.
As more waves of Nomads’ pressure came and went Cefn Druids appeared equal to the task of repelling them and even capable of troubling the champions. Emmanuel Agyemang was isolated up front for the hosts but his tireless running was proving a danger and kept the visitors wary with a couple of pot shots at goal.
With half an hour played the ball found its way past Mike Jones into the net. Aron Williams got in behind once more and clipped the ball to the back post. Jordan Davieswas the unmarked man and leapt to head the ball home but the linesman’s flag was raised as the ball had already gone out of play from Aron Williams.
Five minutes later a more controversial decision saw Druids given another lifeline. Mike Jones could not keep hold of Aron Williams’ cross and dropped the ball onto George Horan who powered a header past a multitude of bodies. Cue Nomads celebrations before much confusion as the ref brings play back from what he judged as a foul on Mike Jones.
Cefn Druids would have a tenuous claim for a penalty waved away by the referee after Andy Brown went down under minimal contact before half time, but Ollie Byrne remained largely a spectator of the game.
Not long into the second half the Nomads almost repeated their first half feat of scoring early on. Aron Williams combined with captain Horan once more when his looping throw was met by Horan out of a sea of bodies. The experienced centre back crashed his header against the bar which bounced up and was then headed away by Tony Davies.
Ten minutes into the half and the Nomads finally doubled their lead and in almost a carbon copy of Horan’s previous chance. Horan doubles the Nomads lead. Williams’ long throw spiralled towards the box and Horan was the only man to move towards the ball. Moving away from goal he gleaned a header over Jones which clipped the underside of the bar as it flew into the net.
Jamie Mullan and Aeron Edwards would have chances in the latter stages of the game shooting wide from outside the box, however with their two goal cushion Nomads looked comfortable and assured and Druids were not able to trouble them. George Horan even found himself free in the box with a fine turn and his cross come shot almost hit the top corner with Insall unable to get a final touch to see it over the line.
Andy Morrison will be pleased to grab an all important win in his side’s opening fixture, and in such a dominant display. One notable absence was ofcourse Michael Wilde who signed for neighbours Flint Town United and as the Nomads pounded crosses into the Druids box to little avail there was a sense that the champions were missing the presence of the Cymru Premier legend. Morrison will be hoping new signing Byron Morrison can fill his shoes.
For their part Cefn Druids will not feel too hard done by however. Their performance was a marked improvement on some of last season’s matches. They defended resolutely against a Connah’s Quay onslaught and in glimpses showed potential in attacking spaces. Tony Davies playing in the centre of a back three and Emmanuel Agyemang operating as the lone striker were particular standouts for the hosts.
Connah’s Quay return to action on Friday night at the Deeside stadium against Aberystwyth, whilst Cefn Druids travel the short distance to the coast to take on Flint at the Essity.
Cefn Druids: Michael Jones (GK) (C), Liam Buckley, Charley Edge, Tony Davies, Pavel Viera, Joe Faux, Jake Hampson, Niall Flint, Ben Wynne (Ryan Kershaw 49’), Andy Brown (Aaron Pomeyie 64’), Emmanuel Agyemang (George Harry 75’)
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Ollie Byrne (GK), Tom Moore (Harry Owen 85’), John Disney, George Horan (C), Kris Owens, Aeron Edwards, Callum Morris, Aron Williams (Tom Bibby 75’), Jamie Mullan, Jordan Davies, Jamie Insall
Goals: Joe Faux (OG) 1’, George Horan 54’
Yellow cards: Jamie Insall 65’, Tom Bibby 90+3’
(Featured Image: Nikitas Mesney)
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