NOMADS STORM TO MG CUP VICTORY
CONNAH’S Quay Nomads got their hands on the Nathaniel MG Cup after a 3-0 final win over
STM Sports at Latham Park. The Nomads – contesting their fourth cup final in three seasons – dominated the JD Cymru South outfit from the outset with two first-half Mike Wilde headers followed by a screamer from Jamie Insall just after the restart.
This triumph for Connah’s Quay means they have now both bagged domestic cups under boss Andy Morrison sfter their JD Welsh Cup triumph in 2018 – but this was their first League Cup success since 1996.
Morrison also led his side to the Welsh Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup finals last season.
Underdogs STM had seen off two JD Cymru Premier sides en route to the final and won two penalty shootouts, including one on this ground in the last eight against Newtown. But this proved to be one hurdle too far.
The deadlock was broken on the half-hour after a Nomads corner. Michael Bakare sent in a teasing left-footed cross from the right towards the six-yard box, where Wilde planted a header into the corner.
The Nomads doubled their lead four minutes before half-time and again it came from the head of Wilde following Kris Owens’ ball in from the left, with STM keeper Ben Boyer, rooted to the spot.
The Nomads put the result beyond doubt 24 seconds after the re-start after a stunning strike from Insall. Wilde this time turned provider, heading a lofted ball from Danny Holmes back across the box in the direction of Insall who, on the spin, let the ball drop perfectly before flashing a volley into the net past the despairing dive of Boyer.
The Nomads’ first League Cup triumph for 24 years also earns them one of the two places available to Welsh clubs in next season’s Scottish Challenge Cup. In other action, Swansea University went back to the summit in JD Cymru South with a 1-0 win over Haverfordwest County in their top-of-the-table showdown at New Bridge Meadow.
Will Toms grabbed the all-important goal just before the hour mark – moments after Marcus Griffiths had wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock for Haverfordwest from the spot.
The hosts also ended the game with nine man after the dismissals of skipper Sean Pemberton with the game still 0-0 and then Jack Britton in stoppage time.
It took the students a point above Haverfordwest.
Prestatyn Town went 15 points clear in JD Cymru North after coming from behind to win 4-1 at Ruthin Town. Ruthin led early on thanks to Craig Wilkinson but that was cancelled out before the break by Oli Buckley.
Further goals within 10 minutes of the re-start from Danny Davies and Myles Hart put Prestatyn firmly in the driving seat before Hart added a fourth seven minutes from time.