Nomads exit Welsh Cup after narrow Llandudno defeat

Connah’s Quay Nomads were knocked out of the JD Welsh Cup after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Llandudno in the third round at the Go Goodwins Stadium on Friday night.  

Ben Maher and Ross Weaver scored quickfire first half goals to give the hosts a healthy lead, leaving the Nomads with work to do in the second period.  

Dan Roberts came off the bench and curled beautifully into the top corner from distance to give the Nomads a lifeline and set up an interesting finish. Jason Oswell nearly found a late equaliser in stoppage time to send the tie to penalties, but his header was agonisingly denied by the post.  

Team News  

John Disney made just one change from his side’s 4-0 win over Penybont two weeks ago as Max Woodcock replaced Callum West, who was absent through a minor knock. Andrew Buah, Chris Marriott and Marco Fregapane were all welcomed back onto the bench. 

Llandudno manager Jordan Hadaway made one change to his side that beat Denbigh Town in the JD Cymru North last time out as Adam Stephens replaced Dylan Proctor. Ex-Nomads Ben Maher and Jordan Pownall both started for the Seasiders. 

First Half 

Neither side managed to create any major opportunities in the opening stages, with Llandudno goalkeeper Shaun Pearson only having to collect Harry Franklin’s cutback to prevent the ball from tricking across the six-yard box. 

Llandudno took the lead in the 18th minute as Adam Stephens was not closed down when driving forward into the area, which allowed him to find Ben Maher, who found the bottom corner with his low effort. 

The Nomads almost found an instant equaliser as Max Woodcock’s curling strike was blocked before Noah Edwards fired the loose ball narrowly wide of the post.  

The Seasiders produced another well-worked move to double their lead on the half-hour mark as a quick short corner saw Anthony Stephens deliver into Ross Weaver, who guided his header into the bottom corner, leaving Kit Margetson no chance of the save. 

Noah Edwards thought he had won the Nomads a penalty in first half stoppage-time after he was brought to ground by Weaver inside the area, but the referee waved away the appeals. 

Second Half  

Jordan Pownall, who is a Connah’s Quay Nomads academy graduate, nearly haunted his former club early in the second half as he blazed his effort over the bar from point-blank range.  

Rhys Hughes tried to add another spectacular finish to his collection as the Nomads searched for a way back into the game, but the attacker’s powerful strike crashed into the side netting. 

Substitute Dan Roberts did give the Nomads a lifeline with nine minutes of normal time remaining as he received Chris Marriott’s pass, found space for a shot and sent a clinical curling effort into the top corner, with Pearson standing still. 

Disney turned to his bench and introduced attacking duo Zeli Ismail and Jason Oswell in hope that they could help find a late equaliser. That task could not have come any closer to being achieved as in the final seconds of the game, Oswell rose highest to meet Ismail’s cross, but saw his header denied by the post. The home side defended their box for the last few seconds, which saw them come away victorious. 

What's Next?

The Nomads return to JD Cymru Premier action next, as the lads travel to face Llanelli Town at the LHP Stadium on Saturday, 29 November (2:30pm KO). 

Goals from Jacob Cook, Callum West and Harry Franklin saw the Nomads earn an impressive 3-0 victory in last month’s reverse fixture against the Reds. 

Match Report by Adam Angerer