Connah’s Quay Nomads fell to a 4-2 defeat at Aberystwyth Town in the final game of phase one of the JD Welsh Premier League.  Michael Wilde and Andy Owens scored for The Nomads, who were undone by a Joe Phillips hat-trick and an Ashley Young goal.

• Michael Wilde cancelled out Aber's early opener
• A Joe Phillips hat-trick sent Aberystwyth 4-1 up after 63 minutes
• Wilde had three goals disallowed
• Andy Owens scored first Nomads goal
• Nomads stay second despite loss

The Nomads came into the game on a good run of form after a 3-0 win over Barry Town which followed a win and draw against Cefn Druids over the festive period.

Aberystwyth, who Nomads defeated by five goals to one in the reverse fixture one month ago, went into the match after a 1-1 draw against Cardiff Met which meant regardless of their result against The Nomads, they could not drop into the relegation zone.

Andy Morrison handed a start to both Jay and Matty Owen, whilst Declan Poole was included in the starting eleven after a positive performance and goal against Barry Town.

The encounter started with a rapid pace which soon yielded a goal, which went the home side’s way.  On five minutes, a long throw in was flicked inside The Nomads' area and headed home by Joe Phillips inside the six yard box to send Neville Powell’s side 1-0 up.

The Nomads hit back just six minutes later, when Michael Wilde headed an equaliser in for Nomads.  Wilde got on the end of a deep cross from Joe Heath after Michael Bakare pushed forward with some neat play down the left wing.

After two goals in under 12 minutes the game finally began to settle around the 20th minute mark.  Callum Morris went close to converting a George Horan flick close to the Aber goal, before Jay Owen had a shot from 20 yards go wide of 'keeper Chris Mullock’s goal.

On 29 minutes The Nomads had another close chance as both efforts from George Horan and Callum Morris were blocked in a goal mouth scramble.

Despite The Nomads’ pressure, Aberystwyth remained well in the game with a Declan Walker header going close before Ashley Young made it 2-1 to the home side on 37 minutes.  Young sent a left-footed cross into The Nomads' area and it was adjudged to have floated directly into the goal via the back post to re-establish Aberystwyth’s lead.

In a nightmare three minutes of play for The Nomads, Aberystwyth extended their lead in the 39th minute when Joe Phillips got his brace with a sidefooted effort beating John Danby, after a slip from George Horan, which sent Phillips through on goal to make it 3-1.

To add to Nomads’ woes, Callum Morris was forced off with an injured ankle, meaning he had to be replaced by Nathan Woolfe who looked to help The Nomads in their late push to complete a comeback before the half time whistle.

In injury time of the first half there was controversy, as Michael Wilde headed a Matty Owen free kick into the Aberystwyth net only to see his goal disallowed for offside much to the confusion of many of The Nomads' players and staff.

There was a second substitution from The Nomads at half time, as Andy Owens replaced George Horan.

Andy Morrison’s side started the second half well, but experienced déjà vu, as on 52 minutes, Wilde scored a headed goal which was again disallowed, for a foul off the ball.

In the 55th minute, there was a double claim for a penalty as a loose ball appeared to hit an Aber hand, before Declan Poole went down under pressure seconds later, but referee Dean John waved them away as Nathan Woolfe sent a shot at Mullock who held on.

After Michael Bakare was substituted off to make way for Jake Phillips, The Nomads’ task in hand was hardened by another Joe Phillips goal.  On 63 minutes, Mike Pearson was disposessed on the half way line, before Joe Phillips was played in down the left channel before sealing his hat trick with a left footed finish.

Andy Owens used his strength and power to try and get shots away for The Nomads, and in the 70th minute, burst into the Aber box, and eas semilngly hacked down from behind, only for a corner to be given much to the dismay of the attacking Nomads.

Owens made no mistake in the 72nd minute, as after some neat play from Nathan Woolfe on the left wing saw his cross reach Michael Wilde who head back across goal with Owens beating the onrushing Chris Mullock to the ball to open his account for The Nomads.

As the game entered its latter stages The Nomads began to pound the Aberystwyth final third with possession chances, but to no avail against the Black and Greens.

Joe Heath sent a header just above the crossbar, before Matty Owen forced Chris Mullock to punch a powerful strike away.

In the 83rd minute Andy Owens, was unlucky not to score the second goal of his Nomads career as he darted past the home defence only to see his shot from 20 yards blocked by Mullock.

There was more controversy in the 90th minute as Michael Wilde had the ball in the back of the Aberystwyth net for a fourth time on the night, but it was again disallowed for offside.

Wilde had an identical effort just two minutes later, but it went wide to summarise a frustrating day for the travelling Connah’s Quay side.

The Nomads are now out of action for a week’s break before they return to the Deeside Stadium on the 27th January for a JD Welsh Cup fourth round clash against Porthmadog for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match report by Will Catterall