Connah’s Quay Nomads ran out 3-1 victors over Newtown AFC on Friday evening in the JD Welsh Premier League.

• Jay Owen scores 49-second opener
• Wignall and Morris secure Nomads’ victory
• Luke Boundford scores Newtown consolation
• Connah’s Quay stay second in JD Welsh Premier

The fixture was Nomads’ third in six days, and the final game of a demanding schedule that had seen them travel to Falkirk to win 1-0 in the Irn Bru Cup second round, before being on the other end of that scoreline in a rare home defeat to Caernarfon.

JD Welsh Premier League manager of the month Andy Morrison rotated his squad, with Michael Bakare, James Owen and Laurence Wilson returning to the starting line up.

Newtown came into the game after a 3-0 defeat to Carmarthen Town, and were looking to climb further into the top six, sitting in sixth place. They started ex-Nomad Nick Rushton alongside the likes of Neil Mitchell and Joe Kenton.

49 seconds after referee Mark Petch signalled kick off, Jay Owen sent the Nomads upfront with the fastest goal from kick off this season so far.

After a John Danby free kick was cleared out of the Newtown area, Owen struck a sweet volley into the bottom right corner of the net from around 15 yards.

Although Nomads had taken an ultra-early lead, the opening stages were even as Newtown made good moves into the Connah’s Quay half through winger Callum Roberts and forward Steve Leslie.

Ryan Wignall went close to creating Nomads’ second in the 14th minute, sending a low cross into the Newtown area that was just too far away for Michael Bakare to attempt to convert.

As the half went on Nomads began to control more of the possession but without creating a clear cut chance, as Bakare had an effort from the edge of the area blocked, and Michael Wilde was found offside on a run towards goal.

With 30 minutes played, Newtown’s Roberts played a good cross into Leslie, who sent a half volley over the goal after it took a touch off the Nomads’ defence, which dealt with the subsequent corner.

As the interval loomed Nomads got into the Robins’ final third and were threatening to double their lead. Michael Wilde shot just wide from 12 yards in the 37th minute, with a 44th minute counter attack strike from Bakare going over the Newtown keeper Dave Jones’ goal.

Andy Morrison made changes at the break, replacing Michael Bakare and George Horan with Declan Poole and Michael Parker.

Although there was no goal in a matter of seconds after the restart this time, the Nomads were well set up to prevent any major incidents in the opening stages of the second half.

Newtown continued to look good on the attack, with John Disney making a number of well timed challenges to keep them at bay, seen on 58 minutes when he tackled Joe Kenton who was on a darting run into the Nomads’ area.

With an hour played the need for a second goal was clear, with Newtown looking to set pieces in the Nomads’ half to force an equaliser.

In the 65th minute Danny Harrison headed away a deep Newtown throw in and then help defend two consecutive Robins free kicks around 25 yards from the Nomads goal.

In the 70th minute Ryan Wignall stepped up to take the pressure off Nomads, running a through ball from Declan Poole into the area to slot coolly below the goalkeeper.

Despite Nomads finding a two goal cushion, Newtown remained in the game, winning a free kick just five yards from the Nomads’ area in the 76th minute which was sent over by Roberts.

With less than 10 minutes to play, Michael Wilde was replaced by Andy Owens as Andy Morrison looked to the striker to finish the game off with a third goal.

Nomads third did come, and Owens played a huge part in it, heading towards goal from a Wignall corner to see the ball bounce twice on the bar before falling to Callum Morris, who simply headed the ball on the goal line.

Newtown grabbed a consolation in the 93rd minute of four minutes’ additional time, with Luke Boundford breaking through to slot past John Danby from 12 yards out.
The victory keeps Nomads second in the JD Welsh Premier League table as they move to focus on next week’s game at Llandudno FC. The game will be broadcast live on Sgorio, kicking off at 7:30pm.

Match report by Will Catterall