Connah’s Quay Nomads went top of the JD Welsh Premier League following a 1-1 draw with Bala Town on Friday evening.

• Nomads needed a point to go top of league table
• Michael Wilde sent Nomads ahead in the 37th minute
• A penalty to Bala saw Chris Venables equalise in the 85th minute
• The draw extends Nomads unbeaten run to nine games

The Nomads went into the game off the back of a hard fought 2-1 win against Prestatyn  as they prepared for a tough run of fixtures in which they face some of the league’s strongest sides in Bala, Bangor, The New Saints and Cardiff Met.

Bala came into the fixture in similar high spirits as they had won four games on the bounce and were looking to avenge a narrow 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture played out in September.

Andy Morrison made two changes to his line up with Nathan Woolfe and Sean Smith in for Matty Williams and Joe Heath. Two ex- Nomads started for Bala with Les Davies and Michael Hayes part of the Lakesiders’ attacking line.

Nomads made the stronger start to the game and forced a number of early chances. In the fourth minute Nathan Woolfe sent a header close to the Bala goal, kick-starting a flurry of early corners for the away side.

Les Davies looked to attack for Bala, but was held up by some good defending from Michael Pearson. The likes of Ryan Wignall and Woolfe proved themselves to be typically dangerous on the wing, but Bala withstood Nomads’ early dominance.

As the half went on The Nomads’ strong display continued and they looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. After Matty Owen sent an 18 yard effort over the Bala goal, Michael Wilde found the opener.

His goal came in the 37th minute after Nathan Woolfe and Callum Morris showed great ability on the wing, linking up for Morris to send a cross in which fell to Wilde who headed expertly away from the goalkeeper’s grasp to score for The Nomads.

After their goal, The Nomads looked to double their lead before the interval but after a Nathan Woolfe cross was missed in the 43rd minute they took a 1-0 lead in for half time.

In the second half Bala Town sought to end Nomads’ grip on the game, and nearly found an equaliser in the 47th minute when a low Jordan Evans shot was stopped by the legs of John Danby.

Michael Pearson and Sean Smith then did well to clear Bala attacks as they came in thick and fast after the restart.

The Nomads also got up into the Bala final third, winning four consecutive corners on 50 minutes only for each set piece to be cleared by the home side.

The Nomads made a substitution as they looked to consolidate their leading position, bringing on Michael Bakare in place of Nathan Woolfe.

Bakare got involved immeadiately, trying to volley a Nomads’ free kick which sailed into the Bala where goalkeeper Ashley Morris caught the attempt.

As the game entered its latter stages, play became increasingly entertaining for the 200 strong crowd as both sides looked set on trying to score.

Michael Pearson made a surging run up field before play was stopped for a free kick to Bala, who were beginning to pull off some threatening passing movements in the Nomads’ half.

With 70 minutes played Andy Morrison brought on Connah’s Quay’s player of the year Jay Owen, who replaced Matty Owen.

He helped drive Nomads’ midfield as they look for a second, which nearly came when Michael Bakare sent a corner into the Bala box which went off the underside of the crossbar.

Deep in the last ten minutes of normal time, Bala’s goal came when referee Kevin Parry awarded a penalty kick after a Bala attacker went down on the edge of John Danby’s six yard box. Chris Venables stepped up to score, sending to score to 1-1 with just a few minutes left to play.

Both sides battled hard into the additional four minutes of injury time given, with Nomads replacing Sean Smith with Joe Heath in their final substitution.

The referee signalled for full time and although Nomads were disappointed to have not held on for a victory, the result sent them to the top of the league and to nine games unbeaten.  Should Prestatyn at least draw against Cardiff Met, The Nomads will remain top for the forthcoming week.

Andy Morrison’s side now move onto a bumper set of fixtures as they host Bangor City at Deeside in the JD Welsh Premier League on Friday 17 November before they welcome TNS to Deeside on Monday 20 November in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi finals.

Match report by Will Catterall