No ground lost on second-place as Nomads draw with Bont

Connah's Quay Nomads maintained their 10-point lead inside the automatic European qualifications places in the JD Cymru Premier after a goalless draw with Penybont at the DragonBet Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Max Woodcock and Noah Edwards had the two best opportunities for the Nomads, but they were unable to find the net from close range. It remained a quiet afternoon for Kit Margetson, who faced just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.  

The Nomads have now kept five clean sheets from seven visits to South Wales so far this season, conceding just once from open play during that time. 

Team News

John Disney named an unchanged starting lineup from our 1-1 draw with Caernarfon Town last time out as Ben Nash continued to captain the side while Chris Marriott nurses an injury. Harry Franklin likewise remains on the sidelines, with Woodcock leading the line for the second game in a row. Jack Kenny and young goalkeeper Ryley Berry were welcomed back onto the bench. 

There were three changes to the Penybont team that lost 6-0 to The New Saints last weekend as Ethan Cann, Jacob Jones and Billy Borge replaced Ioan Phillips, Jac Clay and Kane Owen. Bont manager Rhys Griffiths remained suspended, meaning Owain Warlow took charge in the dugout. 

First Half  

The Nomads started on the front foot and probably should have took the lead with 11 minutes on the clock as an unmarked Woodcock met Rhys Hughes' teasing cross, only to see the Scotsman head over the bar from close range. 

Just seconds later, Nathan Wood spotted Margetson just a few inches off his line, but his audacious lob from distance proved to be comfortable for the goalkeeper.

Perhaps the Nomads' closest chance came in the 32nd minute as a well-worked attacking move saw Abdi Sharif squeeze the ball through to Noah Edwards with a smooth backheel, but the midfielder's fierce drive was denied by Luke Armstrong in the Penybont goal. 

The Nomads nearly caught out the hosts with a short corner routine when Declan Poole's low ball found Woodcock, but his first-time strike from inside the area was blocked by Nathaniel Williams before it could test Armstrong. 

Second Half 

Poole was forced off with injury 10 minutes after the restart as his slight knock saw him replaced by Callum Bratley.

Woodcock nearly gained another sight of goal when he ran onto Ben Nash's long ball,  but the striker was penalised for an apparent foul on Borge. 

Kenny replaced Sharif in our next change and the 34-year-old got his first shot away just nine minutes after his introduction, although his volley from the loose ball caused by Callum West's free-kick was over the bar.

Zeli Ismail came on for Woodcock in another attempt to push for a late winner, but neither goalkeepers were really tested in the closing stages. Bont pushed forward in the 85th minute, but Bratley made a vital clearance to prevent any danger from Mael Davies' low ball. 

Tempers flared in the final action of the contest as Joe Woodiwiss and Edwards were both booked for an off-the-ball altercation. Despite six minutes of stoppage-time, the full-time whistle blew and both sides went home with a point each.  

What's Next?

It's one South Wales journey straight to another for the Nomads as we travel to face Barry Town United at Jenner Park next Saturday, 21 February (2:30pm KO) with hopes of strengthening our position in second-place. 

Both teams shared the points in a goalless stalemate at Jenner Park in September, but the Nomads were victorious in the reverse Phase One fixture last month as goals from Callum West, Noah Edwards and Rhys Hughes completed a late turnaround to see us win 3-1 at the Essity Stadium. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer