North Wales sport’s greatest stories of 2024 – April: Nomads sink Saints to lift Welsh Cup!

There was a major surprise in April when Connah’s Quay Nomads beat The New Saints 2-1 in the 2023-24 Welsh Cup final at Rodney Parade, Newport.

TNS were hot favourites to win the trophy and complete another domestic treble, but the Nomads ripped up the script with an outstanding performance.

For Quay’s then manager Neil Gibson, it was a second Welsh Cup success, having led Prestatyn Town to glory for the first time in their history in 2012-13.

Gibson thus became one of the few managers to win the national knockout with two different clubs.

This was the second time Nomads had landed the Welsh Cup having previously done so under Andy Morrison in 2017-18.

Going into the April 28 final, TNS were undefeated in 53 domestic games before running into the Deesiders.

Saints, bidding for a fourth consecutive Cup win, had won all five previous encounters between the sides last season.

However, Nomads had been the last team to have beaten Craig Harrison’s side in the Welsh Cup at the quarter final stage in 2018.

All three goals came during a 10-minute period in the first half.

Harry Franklin put the Nomads ahead after half an hour via Declan Poole’s cross.

The lead lasted just six minutes as New Saints defender Ashley Baker headed his side level from a Danny Redmond delivery.

The best goal of the final won it, Josh Williams volleying stupendously into the top corner from about 15 yards.

Tactically, a magnificent display from Nomads under Gibson, who earlier this season parted company with the club and it remains a mystery why that happened.