Connah’s Quay v Bala Town: Three players who stood out before abandonment
FLINT, WALES - 14TH JANUARY 2025: Connah's Quay Nomads score a third before half time the JD Cymru Premier fixture between Connah's Quay Nomads and Bala Town at the Essity Stadium, Flint. 14th of January, Flint, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Connah’s Quay held a three goal lead against Bala Town before the Cymru Premier game and to be abandoned due to the weather conditions.
With the game going ahead being uncertain, due to a 15-minute delay for fog to clear before the game.
The game got underway and Connah’s Quay were on course to pick up their first win of 2025 but in doing so it means it will be bottom six football for both sides for the second half of the season.
Even if the game played to its conclusion it would’ve been the same story for the Nomads, this is because of Barry Town United’s 1-1 draw with Haverfordwest County, which lifted Steve Jenkins’ side into that lucrative sixth position.
It was pretty much one way traffic in Flint on Tuesday evening as Rhys Hughes scored his 11th of the season just after three minutes and that was shortly followed by his 12th moments later. On 33 minutes The Nomads added to their lead after an own goal by Bala Town’s captain, Nathan Peate.
Just after the hour mark referee, Tom Owen brought a halt to proceedings after one of the assistant referees were unable to see the other side of the pitch for offsides. Then after waiting over 20 minutes before making the final decision, with the fog not lifting the game was abandoned.
There were three standout players for Billy Paynter’s side against the Lakesiders in their last game of phase one at a very foggy Essity Stadium.
Rhys Hughes
Goal scorer Rhys Hughes, the former Wales U21 international joined the Nomads from Tranmere Rovers after a loan spell at Curzon Ashton and what a start he has had to life in the JD Cymru Premier. He scored twice but let’s be honest it should’ve been more with the display that he put on.
He enjoyed so much time on the ball throughout the 60 minutes and that was evident with his first goal from the halfway line. It was great intelligence as he saw Joel Torrance off his line and potentially scored the goal of the season.
He also showed great composure with his free kick to secure his second of the contest.
Aron Williams
The 29-year-old was one of the main controllers of the ball for the hosts success. Having played over 900 minutes so far this season for the Nomads, comparing that to last season’s minutes in phase one (477) it looks like he is being utilised exceptionally well. In defence he was great at pressuring the desperate attack of the Lakesiders.
He gets into this top three simply on his work rate throughout the game and controlled the right hand side of the pitch which gave the Nomads numerous chances, with some great reading of the visitors defence.
Declan Poole
Another standout performer at the Essity stadium was midfielder, Declan Poole. He has played for the Nomads on 210 occasions and became the clubs first full time professional player in 2017.
He grew into the game and was a major contributor to supplying Max Woodcock and Rhys Thomas with great balls for them to work their magic in and around the box. Poole had the defence of Bala always on their feet as he found space with ease.
Having played nearly 1800 minutes this season in Phase 1, Poole is a huge player for this Nomads team as he was also great value with his work in defence.
