Craig Curran’s header on the half hour mark ensured champions Connah's Quay Nomads made a perfect home defence of their title against a valiant Aberystwyth Town.
Having made one change from last week’s victorious eleven against Barry Town United with Alex Darlington replacing Owain Jones, Aber nearly made a perfect start to proceedings. With just three minutes of the game having elapsed, Jon Owen met a corner at the far post but saw a post deny him his first of the campaign.
Andy Morrison’s men had two half chances of their own with Jamie Insall and Curran going close before Owen set up Harry Franklin brilliantly only for a last-ditch challenge to deny the midfielder a strike on goal. The home side grew into the game and fashioned their best opportunity with 26 minutes gone. A dangerous corner was whipped into the 6-yard box but George Horan could only power his header over the bar thanks to the attention of Lee Jenkins.
Nomads did take the lead with four minutes later. The ball was worked well between both sides of the penalty area and crossed delicately to the back post for Curran to nod home from two yards.
Antonio Corbisiero’s men were nearly back in it just seconds later when a deep freekick evaded everyone in red bar Oliver Byrne in the home goal. The faintest of touches pushed the ball towards the onrushing Rhys Davies who could only fire his header into the side netting as a result. Just before the interval, Nomads had a golden opportunity to double their advantage when Jordan Davies headed goalward but saw Gregor Zabret equal to it as the Slovenian stopper pulled off a great save from point blank range.
The Deesiders started the second half well and missed two glaring opportunities to make it 2-0. Firstly, the ball was worked well down the right hand side and into Declan Poole but the striker blasted over with the goal at his mercy before Horan headed wide from a corner.
Despite the home side dominating the ball and carving out further chances through Insall and Ryan Harrington the men from Ceredigion had chances of their own to draw level. Alex Darlington saw his shot smothered by Byrne before Jamie Veale’s audacious effort from the half way line was cleared off the line by John Disney following a clearance from Byrne.
With 20 minutes to go, Insall found space in the box and produced a spectacular goal bound overhead kick but Jack Thorn’s brilliant positional play stopped the ball going into the back of the net. Five minutes later, Aber sent on Owain Jones in place of Alex Darlington and shifted formation in search of an equaliser. This gave Aber fresh momentum and Owen again was dangerous for Town as he carved out a couple of openings. His first effort was saved bravely by Byrne before he dragged a shot narrowly wide with five to play.
A grandstand finish was instore as Aber pressed for a leveller and Nomads sensed a second. Insall again headed wide before sub Jones saw his shot saved brilliantly by Byrne in the home goal who held on to maintain their perfect start to the season.
A valiant performance from the Black & Greens had them inches from a result away to the reigning champions, returning to Ceredigion empty-handed but encouraged after another strong showing. Corbisiero's young squad now look forward to another away trip to Deeside next Saturday, this time to Essity Stadium where Flint Town await. A big thank you to the travelling Green Army tonight - see you next week!
Having made one change from last week’s victorious eleven against Barry Town United with Alex Darlington replacing Owain Jones, Aber nearly made a perfect start to proceedings. With just three minutes of the game having elapsed, Jon Owen met a corner at the far post but saw a post deny him his first of the campaign.
Andy Morrison’s men had two half chances of their own with Jamie Insall and Curran going close before Owen set up Harry Franklin brilliantly only for a last-ditch challenge to deny the midfielder a strike on goal. The home side grew into the game and fashioned their best opportunity with 26 minutes gone. A dangerous corner was whipped into the 6-yard box but George Horan could only power his header over the bar thanks to the attention of Lee Jenkins.
Nomads did take the lead with four minutes later. The ball was worked well between both sides of the penalty area and crossed delicately to the back post for Curran to nod home from two yards.
Antonio Corbisiero’s men were nearly back in it just seconds later when a deep freekick evaded everyone in red bar Oliver Byrne in the home goal. The faintest of touches pushed the ball towards the onrushing Rhys Davies who could only fire his header into the side netting as a result. Just before the interval, Nomads had a golden opportunity to double their advantage when Jordan Davies headed goalward but saw Gregor Zabret equal to it as the Slovenian stopper pulled off a great save from point blank range.
The Deesiders started the second half well and missed two glaring opportunities to make it 2-0. Firstly, the ball was worked well down the right hand side and into Declan Poole but the striker blasted over with the goal at his mercy before Horan headed wide from a corner.
Despite the home side dominating the ball and carving out further chances through Insall and Ryan Harrington the men from Ceredigion had chances of their own to draw level. Alex Darlington saw his shot smothered by Byrne before Jamie Veale’s audacious effort from the half way line was cleared off the line by John Disney following a clearance from Byrne.
With 20 minutes to go, Insall found space in the box and produced a spectacular goal bound overhead kick but Jack Thorn’s brilliant positional play stopped the ball going into the back of the net. Five minutes later, Aber sent on Owain Jones in place of Alex Darlington and shifted formation in search of an equaliser. This gave Aber fresh momentum and Owen again was dangerous for Town as he carved out a couple of openings. His first effort was saved bravely by Byrne before he dragged a shot narrowly wide with five to play.
A grandstand finish was instore as Aber pressed for a leveller and Nomads sensed a second. Insall again headed wide before sub Jones saw his shot saved brilliantly by Byrne in the home goal who held on to maintain their perfect start to the season.
A valiant performance from the Black & Greens had them inches from a result away to the reigning champions, returning to Ceredigion empty-handed but encouraged after another strong showing. Corbisiero's young squad now look forward to another away trip to Deeside next Saturday, this time to Essity Stadium where Flint Town await. A big thank you to the travelling Green Army tonight - see you next week!
