No fairy tale ending for Holywell at Deeside Stadium

NATHANIEL MG CUP QUARTER FINALS – OCTOBER 26, 2021

Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 (Byron Harrison 6, Jordan Davies 49 pen, Jamie Insall 71, Aron Williams 82)
Holywell Town 0

Report: Steve Roberts

Dreams of a semi-final place for underdogs Holywell diminished as Cymru Premier champions Nomads ran out 4-0 winners in Tuesday night’s Nathaniel MG Cup clash at Deeside Stadium.

In windy conditions, the home side opened the scoring after six minutes.

An in-swinging cross by Craig Curran found Byron Harrison, whose glancing header beat Keighan Jones to make it 1-0.

Holywell nearly grabbed a quick equaliser. A corner from Luke Edwards found Ilan ap Gareth, but his shot flew over the bar.

Nomads’ Curran failed to get the decisive touch at the far post, then Town went close when Dave Forbes found a bit of space on the edge of the box, shot goalwards but goalkeeper Oliver Byrne gathered the ball well.

Quay nearly doubled their lead when Jones had to produce a good save to stop a corner going in.

Half-time: Connah’s Quay 1 Holywell Town 0

The second half was barely a couple of minutes old when Nomads were awarded a penalty. Paulo Mendes delivered a good cross, but the ball accidentally hit the hand of one of the Holywell defenders and the referee pointed to the spot. It was a harsh decision but Jordan Davies put away the spot kick.

Nomads now piled on the pressure and the Cymru North outsiders did well to keep the home side at bay.

Johnny Haseldin’s men nearly pulled one back after 65 minutes. A lovely low cross from Luke Edwards led to Forbes getting a touch on the ball but he was unable to steer it past Oliver Byrne in the Nomads goal.

In the 71st minute, Craig Harrison’s side made it 3-0. Play was restarted by the referee who gave a drop ball and Nomads took advantage after a cross was whipped in by Jordan Davies and Alec Williams’ clearance fell kindly for Jamie Insall to drill home.

Town almost responded, but Dylan Allshorn’s cross into the box was headed over.

Nomads grabbed a fourth on 81 minutes, Jordan Davies’ looping wind-assisted cross tapped in by Aron Williams at the far post to seal the victory.

The Wellmen nearly grabbed a deserved consolation goal when Luke Edwards was through but Byrne produced the save.

The referee blew for full time and Holywell’s players came off the pitch, heads held high, to a huge round of applause from their impressive supporters.

Other results

Bala Town 3 (Paul Rutherford 16, Chris Venables 35, Kieran Mills-Evans own goal 57) Newtown 1 (James Rowlands 12)

Barry Town United 7 Pontypridd Town 1

Haverfordwest County 0 Cardiff Met University 2