Nomads rue missed chances in Ferry defeat

Connah’s Quay Nomads suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Briton Ferry Llansawel in the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference on Saturday afternoon.

The Nomads had the better chances for the majority of the contest, but a 70th minute strike from Ferry captain Alex Gammond put the visitors ahead against the run of play.

Billy Paynter’s side pushed for a leveller, but John Disney saw an effort loop over the crossbar, while Ben Nash, Declan Poole and Cameron Ferguson all had attempts denied by Ferry goalkeeper Will Fuller late on. Defeat means the Nomads are now eight points adrift of seventh-place in the table.

Team News
Paynter made just one change from last weekend’s win over Newtown as Callum Bratley replaced the recently returned Kris Owens, who joined new signings Sam Durrant and Cameron Ferguson on the bench.

Briton Ferry manager Andy Dyer made four changes from his team’s 3-2 loss to Aberystwyth Town last time out as Tom Price, Corey Hurford, Ryan George and Jasper Payne replaced Luis Bates, Luke Bowen, Ryan Bevan and Jaime Rickard.

First Half
The Nomads instantly applied the pressure on Ferry in the opening stages, but ultimately failed to test Fuller in the Reds goal.

Noah Edwards, who was making his 50th start for the Nomads in the JD Cymru Premier, saw his low drive flash past the post, while Callum Bratley’s acrobatic attempt from Rhys Hughes’ teasing cross narrowly averted the bottom corner.

Hughes was involved once again as he received a pass from Chris Marriott on the edge of the area before his curling effort was safely collected by Fuller.

Ferry’s first real sight of goal came towards the end of the first half as a corner fell kindly into the path of Nelson Sanca, only for the defender to fire straight at George Ratcliffe from close range.

Second Half
The Nomads continued to threaten the Briton Ferry goal after the restart, but fine margins denied Billy Paynter’s side again as Max Woodcock’s cross just missed the head of Ben Nash, before Kai Edwards’ audacious strike sailed over the bar.

Those missed chances, including those in the first half were punished by Ferry as the visitors took the lead shortly before the hour mark.

A dangerous ball into the box was not cleared, and that allowed captain Alex Gammond to slam the loose ball into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.

Woodcock used his pace to urge the Nomads forward as the home side searched for an instantly equaliser, but Sanca was able to track back and make a last-ditch tackle just before Woodcock was able to deliver into the box.

Paynter turned to his bench for the first time in the afternoon as Kris Owens and Cameron Ferguson were introduced in place of Cal Bratley and Jack Kenny.

Just moments later, the Nomads had their best opportunity to draw level as Nash rose highest from Hughes’ corner towards the back post, only for his downwards header to be parried to safety by Fuller.

There was a debut awarded to new signing Sam Durrant as the Sri Lankan international replaced Chris Marriott in an attacking switch.

More late chances for the Nomads included Hughes’ wide free-kick which was headed clear by Sanca, before efforts in the midst of a goalmouth scramble from Poole and Ferguson were kept out by Fuller despite arguments to whether the ball had crossed the line.

Nonetheless, Ferry held on to claim victory, therefore seeing our hopes of finishing seventh suffer a huge blow.

What’s Next?
Our attention turns to a JD Welsh Cup quarter-final away to JD Cymru South side Caerau Ely next Sunday (12:45pm KO) as we aim to continue our defence of the trophy.

For those of you who cannot make the trip down to Cwrt Yr Ala Road, the match will be shown live on S4C and will also be available to watch on Sgorio’s online platforms.

Match Report by Adam Angerer