Nomads Exit Conference League Despite Valiant Display

Connah’s Quay Nomads bowed out of the UEFA Conference League despite a valiant effort in a 3-2 defeat to FC Ballkani at Fadil Vokrri Stadium on Thursday evening. 

With the tie finely poised following a goalless first leg in Colwyn Bay last week, the Nomads turned up to Kosovo full of confidence.

Ballkani took the lead in the first half through Edvin Kuc before quickfire goals from Giovanni and Valentin Serebe opened up a three-goal advantage for the Kosovans. 

Max Woodcock pulled a goal back for the Nomads with a calmly converted penalty before fellow substitute Hussein Mehasseb slotted home to half the deficit with 20 minutes to play. 

However, despite mass amounts of late pressure onto the Kosovans, John Disney’s side were unable to find another goal to force extra-time, bringing our European journey to an end. 

The courageous display will give Disney and his squad many positives heading into the new Novira Cymru Premier season. 

Team News

Disney made just one change from the goalless first leg as Frankie Deane made his first start for the club by replacing fellow Scotsman Max Woodcock. 

The first leg’s Player of the Match Shane Flynn was named in the starting squad, while Somalian Abdi Sharif and Indonesian Joe Ferguson completed in the array of international talent on show for the Nomads. 

Ballkani manager Mislav Karoglan made two changes to his side as Giovanni and Engjell Ajazaj  replaced Toni Domgjoni and Albert Diene. Goalkeeper Adnan Golubovic, who rescued his side in the first leg, kept his place inbetween the sticks. 

First Half

Ballkani made an energetic start in front of their home crowd and had two early efforts on target, but Chris Renshaw got down low to save Giovanni’s effort across goal and Ajazaj’s header. 

The Nomads’ first dangerous attack was led by Harry Franklin, who intercepted the ball and raced down the centre of the Ballkani defence, only to be pulled back by Gentrit Halili, who received a yellow card. Mikey Stone stood over the resulting free-kick, but his strike dipped over the bar. 

The Nomads tried their best to hold off the early Ballkani danger, with Dan Cowan making a vital block to deny Serebe, but the hosts found their breakthrough five minutes later as Montenegran international Edvin Kuc met a cross and steered the ball home from around 12 yards out. 

The contest settled down for the remainder of the half, with the only slight chances for the Nomads coming from Sharif, whose half-volley flew over the bar and Cowan, whose header at the back post was caught by Golubovic. 

Second Half

It was the worst possible start to the second half for the Nomads as Ballkani doubled their lead on 49 minutes as Giovanni received a square ball and sent a fierce strike into the roof of the net from close range.

Serebe made it three for the hosts shortly before the hour mark as he timed his run to stay onside and meet a chipped pass before he rounded Chris Renshaw and tapped into an empty net. 

The Nomads managed to pull a goal back on 70 minutes as substitute Max Woodcock was fouled inside the area, resulting in a penalty, which was converted into the bottom corner by the Scotsman. 

Hussein Mehasseb, Alex Hughes and Darren Stephenson all made a positive impact off the bench and the Nomads ultimately made their pressure count once more as Egyptian forward Mehasseb capitalised on a defensive mistake from Ballkani and sent a low driven shot across goal and beyond Golubovic to set up an interesting finish in the Kosovan capital. 

Ballkani’s nerves were evident as the Nomads continued to dominate in the closing stages. A tame clearance from Golubovic was intercepted by Woodcock, who sprinted into the area but could only find the side-netting with his powerful strike. 

Despite four goals and 10 substitutions in the second half, there were only four minutes added on by the fourth official, just as the Nomads were in their full attacking flow. Several crosses and long balls were put into the Ballkani box, but there was little time to find a way past Golubovic, bringing the Nomads’ European adventure to an end. 

What’s Next?

The Nomads will travel back from Kosovo, regroup and return to training in preparation for the new domestic season, which starts against Caernarfon Town in the Novira Cymru Premier on Sunday, 2 August (2:30pm KO). 

John Disney’s side will continue to perform positively ahead of that league opener next month, with our next pre-season friendly coming away to Hednesford Town on Saturday, 25 July (3pm KO). 

Match Report by Adam Angerer