Nomads forced to share spoils after late Bluebirds comeback

Connah’s Quay Nomads extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions with a 3-3 draw against Haverfordwest County at the Essity Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The Nomads led by two goals at the break thanks to clinical finishes from Declan Poole and Jacob Cook before Haverfordwest pulled a goal back immediately after the restart through Greg Walters. 

Dan Cowan scored his first Nomads goal to restore the two-goal cushion, but Dylan Rees’ strike and Ben Ahmun’s penalty saw the Bluebirds complete a quickfire comeback and salvage a point. 

The Nomads end October unbeaten and remain fourth in the JD Cymru Premier table, with John Disney’s side continuing to look firm top six contenders. 

Team News

Disney made just one change from last weekend’s cup win at Bala Town as captain Chris Marriott replaced Callum Bratley, who dropped to the bench. Marco Fregapane and Abdi Sharif were both absent through injury and illness respectively. 

Haverfordwest manager Tony Pennock made three changes from his side’s cup loss away to Llanelli Town as Alaric Jones, Ricky Watts and Panashe Makwiramiti replaced Tom Shepherd, Owain Jones and Iori Humphreys. 

First Half

The Nomads wasted no time to apply pressure on their opponents and that paid off inside just 13 minutes as Declan Poole received Franklin’s pass on the right hand side, cut onto his left foot and curled beautifully beyond Luc Rees to grab his first league goal of the season. 

After a couple of bookings for visiting manager Tony Pennock and midfielder Greg Walters, the Nomads doubled their advantage shortly after the half hour mark as Jacob Cook brought down Franklin’s deflected cross and slotted home into the bottom corner to bag his second goal in as many games at the Essity. 

The Nomads were nearly gifted a third goal as Noah Edwards’ low delivery saw Alaric Jones steer the ball inches past his own goal. 

Second Half

Haverfordwest improved in the early stages of the second half as Ahmun forced Kit Margetson into a crucial save inside the six-yard box with his low effort. 

Ahmun did find the net three minutes later with a well-placed header into the bottom corner, but he was in an offside position and the goal was ruled out. 

However, it would not be long before the away side did pull a goal back as Walters intercepted the ball deep into the final third and slotted past Margetson when clean through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. 

Margetson produced another sublime save to deny Ahmun from point blank range again, while Callum West had a glorious chance straight up the other end as he escaped his marker but could only head wide from Franklin’s cross. 

The Nomads retook control of the contest midway through the second half as Rhys Hughes forced Rees into two more diving saves with his strikes from distance. 

Hughes may have been denied a goal, but he was once again amongst the assists as he delivered a pinpoint cross into Dan Cowan, who bagged his first ever Nomads goal with a neat first-time finish. 

However, the Nomads would suffer late heartbreak as Haverfordwest skipper Dylan Rees raced onto Jones’ long ball and found the net from a tight angle to half the deficit before Cowan’s foul inside the area allowed Ahmun to step up from the penalty spot and make it three apiece. 

Franklin somehow saw his goalbound header kept out by Rees in stoppage time, while substitute Max Woodcock nearly snatched all three points for the Nomads with his curling effort, which flew narrowly wide of the top corner. 

Woodcock’s strike proved to be the last kick of the game as the Nomads were forced to settle for a point. 

What's Next?

The Nomads are back on the road next Saturday (1 November) as John Disney’s side travel to face Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Stadium (2:30pm KO).

Having earned 10 points from four games in south Wales so far this season, the Nomads will be hoping to put in another positive performance in order to strengthen their place in the top six.

Match Report by Adam Angerer