Abdi opens account but Nomads beaten by Saints in penultimate fixture

Abdi Sharif scored his first Connah's Quay Nomads goal but other missed opportunities proved costly in a 2-1 defeat to The New Saints at Park Hall in our penultimate JD Cymru Premier fixture on Good Friday. 

It was an evenly contested first half in Oswestry, with Nomads' March Player of the Month Max Woodcock being denied by the crossbar. 

However, despite bright spells in the first period, a defensive mistake allowed Jordan Williams to put TNS in front before Ryan Brobbel quickly doubled the lead for the home side. 

Sharif fired home from close range to open his account for Nomads late in the day, but despite the late pressure, we came home empty handed. 

Team News 

John Disney made three changes from our draw with Barry Town United last weekend as Dan Cowan and Declan Poole both returned from four-week injuries, while goalkeeper Kit Margetson returned from international duty with Wales U21s. 

After helping his country Somalia reach the AFCON Qualifiers for the first time ever, Sharif was named on the bench just 24 hours after arriving back from camp, while Chris Marriott was also amongst the substitutes after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

TNS manager Craig Harrison made just one change from his side’s 4-0 win away to Caernarfon Town last time out as Eoin Farrell replaced Ben Clark. 

First Half 

The Nomads had a glorious chance to take the lead inside the first 10 minutes at Park Hall as Max Woodcock timed his run to meet Harry Franklin’s through ball, but could only fire his effort narrowly wide of the far post. 

Woodcock came even closer to the opening goal eight minutes later as he cut inside onto his right foot, curled towards the top corner and left TNS goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd standing still, but his effort was denied by the crossbar. 

Saints Irishman Eoin Farrell had a great chance to test Margetson when he headed over from close range, and that ultimately allowed the Nomads to create a dangerous counter attack straight away, but Franklin’s square ball destined for Woodcock at the back post was blocked at the last second. 

Neither side created any major opportunities in the closing stages of the first half, although Margetson did get down low to keep out Brobbel’s dipping shot from the edge of the area. 

Second Half 

It was the worst possible start to the second half for the Nomads as TNS took the lead just five minutes after the restart. A miscued pass from Dan Roberts allowed Rory Holden to retrieve the loose ball and play through Williams, who finished into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of Dan Cowan to track back. 

Saints doubled their lead just two minutes as a lucky ricochet off James Jones fell straight to Brobbel, whose strike deflected off Cowan and therefore flew into the net.  

Although conceding twice within the space of two minutes was frustrating, the Nomads continued to push for a way back into the game as Woodcock saw his free-kick from the edge of the area dip narrowly over the bar. Woodcock was then spotted in a pocket of space by Franklin in the next attack, but this time he was denied by Jack Bodenham's block inside the area. 

Moments after Abdi Sharif and Freddie Redshaw replaced Woodcock and Roberts, Margetson was forced into a diving save as he kept out Williams' drilled effort towards the bottom corner.

The Nomads nearly pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute as a well-worked team move saw Callum West receive the ball down the left-hand side and deliver a powerful low cross into Franklin, who could only steer the ball wide from inside the six-yard box. 

Margetson made another brilliant save to prevent a third TNS goal as he got enough on the ball to tip Dan Williams' low-driven volley past the post.

Two more substitutions arrived as Marriott replaced Callum Bratley to make his first appearance in nearly three months, while young Steven Gerrard Academy scholar Conor Partridge came on for Poole. 

Sharif's first Nomads goal arrived in the 88th minute as he controlled a loose ball at the back post and clinically fired beyond Nathan Shepperd to half the deficit and set up an interesting finish in Oswestry. 

The Nomads began to dominate the closing stages and it was 17-year-old Partridge who went close to the late equaliser first as his cross-turned-shot forced Shepperd into a save at full stretch. 

Franklin probably should have made it two apiece in stoppage-time when he met Noah Edwards' cutback, but to his dismay, the forward shot straight into the hands of Shepperd from just eight yards out. 

TNS were able to cling on for the final few minutes and claim all three points, and despite some rued missed opportunities in front of goal, there were still plenty of positives for the Nomads to build on. 

What's Next?

For the first time in a staggering 10 years, the Nomads will get the chance to finish a JD Cymru Premier season on home turf as we host Colwyn Bay at the Essity Stadium on Saturday, 18 April (5:15pm KO). 

The Nomads are unbeaten in all three meetings against the Seagulls so far this season with Harry Franklin's brace inspiring a 2-1 either side of 1-1 and 2-2 draws. 

We will be hoping to see many of you in attendance at the Essity as we play out final competitive fixture before our UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round in July. Following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, details of our upcoming European draw and potential opponents will be revealed, so make sure you are following us as you will not want to miss the exciting news!

Match Report by Adam Angerer