Heartbreaking Euro exit after an heroic fightback from Nomads

Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 (Insall 6 & 57, Horan 46, Morris pen 80)
FC Prishtina 2 (Krasniqi 29 & 36)
Europa Conference League
(Prishtina win 6-5 on aggregate)

An heroic fightback but a heartbreaking exit for Nomads on a night of high drama at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.

Trailing 4-1 from the first leg in Kosovo, the Cymru Premier champions looked down and out when they were behind 2-1 at half time this evening, visitors FC Prishtina holding a 6-2 aggregate advantage at this stage.

But three second half goals from Andy Morrison’s side put them 4-2 ahead on the evening and just 6-5 down overall.

However, there was not to be a dramatic equaliser and extra time in this Europa Conference League thriller.

Nomads began the second leg on the front foot and took a sixth-minute lead when Declan Poole set up Jamie Insall for the opener.

The hosts almost added a second when George Horan’s header was saved by Ardit Nika.

More home pressure came to nothing and there was a big setback for the Quay when Endrit Krasniqi made it one-apiece on 29 minutes.

It got worse for the Welsh champions in the 36th minute when an error at the back allowed Krasniqi to fire into an open goal.

Half time came with the Kosovans 2-1 up in the game and 6-2 in the tie, but you can never count the Nomads out.

A minute into the second half captain fantastic Horan headed in to level the scores.

When Insall made it 3-2 in the 57th minute, there was more than a ray of hope for Morrison’s marauders.

It was all Nomads now and when substitute Jordan Davies was fouled in the box, the referee pointed to the spot.

The ever-reliable Callum Morris converted the penalty to give the Deesiders a 4-2 lead. They now trailed by just a single goal overall and the Kosovans were worried.

Despite late pressure from the Nomads, that elusive equaliser would not come and a valiant effort came to a gallant end.

Nomads: Oliver Byrne, John Disney (Aron Williams 46), George Horan, Jamie Mullan (Jordan Davies 73), Callum Morris, Miike Wilde, Jamie Insall, Declan Poole, Tom Moore, Kris Owens, Aeron Edwards.