Cymru Premier: Nomads stay top but title race goes down to last day

Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 (Insall 10, Williams 68, Morris 77 & 92)
Caernarfon Town 0

Nomads maintained their two-point lead at the Cymru Premier summit with what was overall a comfortable win against Caernarfon at Deeside Stadium.

Andy Morrison’s side now travel to Penybont next Saturday knowing a victory in their final game will secure them a second successive title.

Any other result and second-place The New Saints could end up champions if they defeat Bala Town in their curtain-closer at Park Hall.

Quay completely dominated against Caernarfon, but the game was tarnished by the controversial dismissal of visitors keeper Lewis Brass on 65 minutes.

Ex-Nomad Brass attempted to clear a loose ball ahead of Quay striker Jamie Insall who then appeared to send himself flying. There was no or very minimal contact, but the referee showed Brass a straight red card.

From the resultant free kick, Declan Poole’s strike deflected off Michael Hayes onto the post, substitute Aron Williams stuck out a leg and must have been delighted to see the ball fly in past a nonplussed replacement keeper Tyler French.

Nomads made a strong start and took a 10th minute lead when Poole delivered a low ball into the box from the right and Insall timed his run perfectly to fire beyond Brass.

The Caernarfon keeper produced fine stops to deny Aeron Edwards, Poole and Craig Curran before the break.

Town launched some promising attacks, but their final ball was lacking.

Half-time: Nomads 1 Caernarfon 0

Nomads piled on even more intense pressure after the break, Callum Morris seeing his goalbound shot cleared by Paulo Mendes, then Michael Wilde nodded against the bar.

On the hour came a potential turning point.

Town’s Sion Bradley ran from his own half down the left, cut inside leaving Edwards and Poole standing and was knocked over by Morris on the edge of the box.

It could have been a penalty, but the referee played safe and awarded a free kick.

Darren Thomas rolled the ball towards Bradley, whose brilliance earned the set piece, but he did not react quickly enough and failed to connect.

Then came the red card followed by the free kick from which sub Williams made it 2-0.

Caernarfon’s sole on-target effort of the game saw Mendes’ shot rebound off keeper Oliver Byrne, but Gaz Edwards blazed the rebound over.

It then became the Callum Morris show – two beautifully executed right-footers from the midfield ace making the final score 4-0.

It could have been worse for the Cofis. French produced a brave stop from Insall and went down well to thwart a Poole effort.

STATE OF THE TITLE RACE

Connah’s Quay: Played 31 Points 76 (GD +48)
The New Saints: Played 31 Points 74 (GD +65)

To play

Nomads
May 15 – Penybont (a)

Saints
May 15 – Bala Town (h)

Cymru Premier results – Saturday, May 8 – Matchday 31

Championship Conference
Bala Town 1 Penybont 0
Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 Caernarfon Town 0
The New Saints 3 Barry Town United 0

Play-Off Conference
Cardiff Met University 6 Cefn Druids 0
Flint Town United 0 Aberystwyth Town 0
Haverfordwest County 1 Newtown 2