Football

Can Holywell cause massive upset against an out-of-sorts Connah’s Quay Nomads?

Holywell Town have become experts at executing cup upsets in North Wales football in recent years – and tonight they have the opportunity to cause another major shock.

Johnny Haseldin’s tier 2 Cymru North side travel to Cymru Premier champions Connah’s Quay Nomads for a Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final.

Under normal circumstances, the Quay would be massive favourites to win the tie, but after two seasons of near-perfection, the Deesiders have struggled since the start of the current campaign, presently lying third bottom of the top-flight table.

Nonetheless, Craig Harrison’s squad is packed with class and should still be more than good enough to reach the semis.

Holywell have not had the best of starts to 2021-22 themselves. They are also third from bottom in their league, but performances have not always been reflected in results and they gave themselves a boost on Saturday with a 5-1 triumph over Llangefni Town – their first home league win of the season.

Back in 2013-14, the Wellmen created history by becoming the first third-tier side ever to reach the Welsh Cup semi-finals.

They knocked out three Cymru North teams and one from the Welsh Premier to make the last four, where they took the lead against Aberystwyth Town only to end up 3-1 losers.

In this season’s Nathaniel Cup they have seen off Colwyn Bay, Conwy Borough and Prestatyn Town.

But can they really upset the apple cart by eliminating the Nomads?

Here’s manager Haseldin’s take on the tie.

Johnny Haseldin

“We have a giant of a game on Tuesday night away at Nomads.

“It’s been a long time since we have played them in a competitive fixture but this is one everyone at the club has been talking about since the draw was made and we are all looking forward to it.

“It is going to take something special on the night for us to have any chance of winning the game, we are all fully aware of that.

“The pressure is completely off us and we are massive underdogs – that is not being negative or pessimistic, it’s realistic.

“However, it’s football and anything can happen. We have a history of upsetting the odds in cup competitions. Although this is a new group of players they are all aware of our past success and they have an opportunity to make some history of their own tonight.”

Dave Forbes and Danny Sullivan are available after being suspended.

Goalkeeper Mike Platt and attacking midfielder Alec Williams are both added to the squad.

Danny Andrews will face a late fitness test on a slight hamstring injury picked up late on at the weekend, while defender Myles Hart is away with work.