Title Race Looks Set To Go To The Wire, As The Top Two Play Out A 0-0 Draw At The Deeside Stadium

Match Report

Match report by Sam Wood

The JD Cymru Premier title race looks set to go to the wire, as Connah’s Quay Nomads and The New Saints played out a 0-0 draw at the Deeside Stadium.

It was a game of few chances, with both teams locked in a midfield battle throughout, and the result leaves the Nomads two points ahead at the top of the table, with just three matches to play. 

Anthony Limbrick’s side started brightly, and with eight minutes gone, some good work by Adrian Cieslewicz down the right saw the number 11 beat the covering defender. His cross reached Robles in the penalty area, but the striker couldn’t get a connection on the ball, and it went behind for a goal kick.

Robles was involved again with 13 on the clock but failed to connect with a header back across the box.

In the 21st minute, The Saints had another chance to cause problems for their hosts, as Disney fouled Robles 30 yards out from goal. Chris Marriott whipped in an inviting free-kick, and the ball eventually reached Blaine Hudson, but the defender was penalised as he jumped for the header.

Down the other end, Declan Poole had the opportunity to test the TNS defence, sending in a free-kick of his own from the righthand side. Blaine Hudson produced a superb header though, as he rose highest inside the penalty area to head the danger clear.

The home side won another free-kick in the 44th minute, but on that occasion, Danny Davies sent the ball straight through to Paul Harrison.

And in the second minute of stoppage time, the best chance of the half arrived, as Robles’ header dropped perfectly into the path of Ryan Brobbel on the edge of the box. The Saints midfielder couldn’t direct his effort though, and it curled wide of Oliver Byrne’s far post.

Within a minute of the restart, Limbrick’s side were performing defensive duties once more, as Paul Harrison punched clear an inswinging corner. It looked for a moment like Danny Davies would head in at the back post, but he fouled Keston Davies, as the pair challenged for the ball.

On the hour mark, Brobbel would’ve picked out Robles with a well-placed cross, were it not for the alertness of Oliver Byrne, before Davies worked the Nomads goalkeeper with a distance strike three minutes later

Morrison’s side continued to cause problems down the other end, with Jamie Insall sending an effort wide of the target.

Then with 68 minutes on the clock, Chris Marriott sent a curling free-kick onto the roof of the net, before Ryan Astles hit the side netting with a powerful header two minutes later.

The hosts thought they’d snatched the three points with four minutes to go, when a looping header beat Harrison, only for the referee to pull the play back for a foul. Ryan Astles then made a goal-saving block in the 90th minute as he slid in to deny Mike Wilde. 

In stoppage time, Danny Redmond was shown his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but Declan Poole curled the resulting free-kick over the crossbar and the match ended level as a result.

Next up for The New Saints is a trip to Penybont on Tuesday night, while the Nomads will also be in South Wales, taking on Barry Town United at Jenner Park.

The New Saints: Harrison, Harrington, Hudson, Astles, Marriott, Davies, Routledge, Redmond, Brobbel, Cieslewicz, Robles (Draper 86)
Subs not used: Williams, Mullan, Clark, Smith, Boateng, Bailey

Yellow cards: Davies (48), Routledge (48), Redmond (90+2)
Red cards: Redmond (90+3)