CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS played out a 1-1 draw with Caernarfon Town FC on Tuesday evening (Aug 31) at Deeside in the JD Cymru Premier.
A 28th minute Darren Thomas goal and 50th minute John Disney equaliser ensured the spoils were shared between the two sides.
The game was Nomads’ fourth of the JD Cymru Premier season, following a 1-1 draw with Penybont on Saturday evening which had placed them third in the league coming into Tuesday’s clash.
Andy Morrison made only one change to his line up from that game, as Tom Moore started with Aeron Edwards injured for his part in the Penybont game.
Caernarfon manager Huw Griffiths, who watched the game from the stands due to suspension, started the likes of captain Dion Donohue, Daniel Gosset and ex-Nomads Rob Hughes and Noah Edwards.
The game started with the two sides giving little away, but Nomads soon began to press through Jamie Mullan on the right wing who, swung a cross into Craig Curran which was headed wide in the 9th minute.
Mullan then had a good chance in the 16th minute, cutting through to seven yards from goal only to see his low strike saved by Liverpool loanee Caernarfon keeper Jacob Ojrzynski.
Nomads’ possession increased in the game, seeing Kris Owens again target the area for the hosting Connah’s Quay, with the ball this time headed wide by Curran.
After 20 minutes, Andy Morrison’s side were on top and controlling much of the ball as they plotted a way through to open the scoring.
However, against the run of play, it was Caernarfon who broke the deadlock when Darren Thomas found space to the left of goal and struck to score from around eight yards out.
With the Cofis leading 0-1, they looked for more and nearly doubled their lead when Thomas again went close to goal but shot just wide, with a corner ball then headed goalwards but caught by Ollie Byrne.
The second half saw Nomads start and immediately put pressure on the Caernarfon end, with Ryan Harrington shooting from the edge of the area to see his effort dip but go wide on 47 minutes.
In the 50th, Nomads found their equaliser through an unlikely source, as John Disney came up with a cross-come-shot which swung into left side of the goal from Disney’s effort on the right side of the area.
The scores were level, but Caernarfon quickly threatened to take the lead again with a powerful strike from around 12 yards which hit the crossbar and bounced out in a close call for Connah’s Quay.
In the 57th, Andy Morrison made his first change, swapping Tom Moore for Aron Williams who added to Nomads’ firepower as they hunted for a vital second goal with both sides well in the game.
With an hour played, the Nomads were level and playing much of their football in the Caernarfon end, with the Cofis holding their defensive line against a Nomads side constantly looking for ways through.
This continued well into the game, with Byron Harrison having a header close to goal with Aron Williams pushing his side upfield to camp in the Cofi’s final third.
There were 20 minutes to go in the game and the score were still level as Nomads tested the Caernarfon defence with a series of crosses, leading to a Harrison header again threatening but going wide in the 74th.
On 79 minutes, Kris Owens went close with a free kick from around 20 yards out which was on target, but pushed off the goaline by keeper Ojrzynski.
Another change saw Tom Bibby replace Jordan Davies as Nomads made a last push in the final ten minutes to find a winner.
They packed into the final third and passed the ball around it multiple times, looking for an opening to attack on goal.
This nearly paid off in the 90th, when a storming run from Aron Williams saw him cross to the goal just evading George Horan, who had been playing an attacking role for Nomads during the second half.
An additional four minutes of injury time was indicated, and Nomads spent nearly all of this time with possession, forcing a corner ball in the 93rd which was headed away by the Cofi defence.
Full time signalled a point for Nomads, who remain unbeaten in their league campaign so far and place third in the table.
Their attentions now turn to a JD Welsh Cup clash with CPD Y Rhyl 1879 at Deeside, taking place this Friday, September 3, for a 7:45pm kick off.
Match report by Will Catterall
