Ground: Latham Park

Newtown AFC vs Connah Quay Nomads

Another home game unbeaten, this time it was Connahs Quay Nomads who visited Latham Park seeking for a win and going away disappointed. It was the Deesiders who struck first however in the early stages of the game. with Declan Poole sliding the ball past Dave Jones on the second minute. Wilson, Kenny and Poole all linked well through the middle of the park before Kenny played a through ball to Poole who finished. The first half was very scrappy in parts and saw the visitors enjoy most of the possession. Rob Hughes threatened soon after with a curling cross which ended up on the roof of the net, Connahs Quay grew in confidence as the first came to close.

However the second half was a different story for the Robins.  Early spells of possession caused problems for Connahs Quay as the ball was played down either wing with Williams and Roberts driving forward when possible.  Connahs Quay had a goal ruled out for offside on 48 minutes as Jack Kenny ran onto a Danny Holmes cross.

On the 55th Minute, Nick Rushton was played through on goal by Jay Denny but the threat was dealt with by Michael Parker with a  strong sliding tackle. Newtown started to press the visitors well into their own half as the search for an equaliser continued. Fletcher and Denny exchanged neat quick passes through middle looking to break down the Connahs Quay defence. Just over the hour mark on 62 minutes, the home side equalised. Luke Boundford curled a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box towards the back post, the ball hit the post and bounced into the run of Joe Kenton wo was brought down mid stride. Referee Bryn Markham-Jones pointed to the spot. Nick Rushton stepped up and smashed his effort to the keeper right into the net.

Immediately after, Danny Holmes was shown a red card for dissent. With 10-men, Connahs Quay had to re-shape and Newtown attacked in search of a winner. The visitors sat back looking to counter but the home side enjoyed a large period of possession, much better showing than the first half.

 

Late on, Neil Mitchell had fizzed a ball low and hard from the left wing into the box which deflected into the back of the net, however the goal was ruled out due to Mitchell being offside initially. There was 4 minutes added on at the end and Newtown dominated the final exchanges of the game. The final chance came from Ethan Jones bursting down the left hand side into the box and striking the ball into the side netting.