Epic second half comeback gives Nomads derby day glory

Connah’s Quay Nomads earned their first JD Cymru Premier victory of the season in dramatic style as Jack Kenny’s brace either side of Chris Marriott’s first ever club goal completed an epic 3-2 comeback win over Flint Town United on Monday.

The Nomads trailed by two goals at half time as Flint scored through Elliott Reeves and Ben Wynne.

However, the introductions of Jack Kenny, Zeli Ismail, Harry Franklin and Callum Bratley ultimately proved game-changing.

Kenny tapped home just moments after Rhys Hughes had a penalty saved, and captain Chris Marriott planted a clinical volley into the bottom corner to level the contest.

The winning moment at the Essity came in the 90th minute as Kenny slid onto Franklin’s low cross and bundled the ball over the line to complete an extraordinary comeback.

Team News
Manager John Disney made two changes from Friday’s loss to The New Saints as Rhys Hughes and Jason Oswell replaced Bratley and Franklin. Kenny was named in the matchday squad for the first time this season, while Jayden Tang also returned to the bench.

Flint boss Lee Fowler made three changes from his side’s 5-2 defeat at home to Caernarfon Town three days ago as Isaac Lee, Darren Stephenson and Sidi Fofana replaced Ben Woollam, Mikey Burke and Jake Phillips.

First Half
The opening stages at the Essity were quiet until Flint took the lead through a piece of good fortune in the 16th minute. Jack Thorn lined up a shot from outside the area, but a kind deflection off Elliott Reeves took the ball beyond Kit Margetson’s reach and into the net.

Flint doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark as a short free-kick was played into the path of Ben Wynne, who fired past Margetson at the near post from just outside the area.

The Nomads almost pulled a goal back five minutes before half time through Max Woodcock, whose low first-time drive flew inches wide of the far corner.

Second Half
Although the first half was quiet for the Nomads in an attacking sense, John Disney made four substitutions which proved significant as Kenny, Ismail, Franklin and Bratley all entered the pitch.

Flint may have nearly added a third goal through Reeves’ curling strike which hit the post, but the Nomads eventually stepped things up a gear.

The Nomads were awarded a penalty on 54 minutes after Flint captain Harry Owen pulled down Kenny inside the area.

Rhys Hughes, who scored five goals in each of the four Flintshire derbies last season, had his penalty saved by Jack Flint. However, the Nomads kept the attack alive, and Hughes’ deflected shot ended up in the path of Kenny, who rounded the goalkeeper and tapped home to half the deficit.

Abdi Sharif, who was making his first home appearance since being called up to the Somalia national team, then had a header and effort from distance tipped away by Jack Flint.

However, despite the Flint goalkeeper’s flurry of saves, the Nomads would eventually find their leveller through Chris Marriott, who scored his first ever Nomads goal. Ismail’s pinpoint cross travelled all the way through to the unmarked captain, who produced a composed finish into the bottom corner to make it two apiece.

Bratley came agonisingly close to putting the Nomads ahead moments after Marriott’s equaliser, but his curling strike from distance was denied by the fingertips of Jack Flint.

The Nomads continued to pile the pressure on their opponents, and the winning goal eventually arrived in the 90th minute to send the Essity into raptures as Kenny got the vital touch on Franklin’s low cross towards the back post.

Kenny’s late winner was his fourth goal across the bank holiday weekend after he scored twice for our U18s in their win on Friday night.

Flint tried to push for a late leveller, but the Nomads did their job in defence to see out stoppage time and earn their first league victory of the season.

What’s Next?
Our Flintshire derby victory means we have taken four points from our first three matches, although we do still have a game in hand on the majority of other teams in the league.

We now face our first trip to South Wales on Saturday, 30 August as a tough Penybont test awaits us at the Dragonbet Stadium. Kick-off for Saturday’s fixture will be 2:30pm, and we will look to build on a positive derby day performance.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer