JD CYMRU PREMIER
CONNAH’S Quay boss Andy Morrison knows his team are in for a serious challenge when they make the long trip to newly promoted Haverfordwest today.
The Nomads – still bruised from their European exit at the hands of Dinamo Tbilisi – are nowhere near full strength due to a combination of injuries and positive Covid-19 tests.
It means Haverfordwest would always be a challenge anyway, but the men from west Wales have won both their opening matches this season after returning to the JD Cymru Premier.
Morrison said: “Haverfordwest is our furthest destination to travel to, but it’s always a pitch and stadium I’ve enjoyed going to.
“Having been promoted they have got off to a good start being unbeaten in their first two games and they were impressive in their last game against Newtown. We will be in for a really tough game.
“We are still in a difficult period with injuries and Covid-related absentees. Every team will endure these moments and we have to stay strong, be hard to beat, and take our chances when they come.”
Connah’s Quay are joined in action today by The New Saints who are at Caernarfon Town.
Their manager Scott Ruscoe said: “We’ve got a few things to work on and we’ve given the boys a bit more rest because we’ve got four games in a short space of time. It’s always a tough place to go. Without the crowd it will be different this time and I think that will help us as they’re normally a very vocal and well-supported club.”
Yesterday, Barry Town made the long trip to north Wales to take on Flint Town United and made the journey worthwhile by returning with all three points thanks to Kayne McLaggon.
In a tepid first half where both teams tested each other out, Nat Jarvis came the closest to an opener when he headed against the crossbar. In the Barry goal Mike Lewis made one superb, acrobatic save as he justified his place between the posts with new Swansea loanee Josh Gould on the bench.
After the break McLaggon came up with the game’s only goal when he was fouled in the box by Darren Thornton and stepped up to successfully tuck home the penalty.
McLaggon came close to a second when he was denied by John Danby before he left the field.
At the other end man of the match Lewis ensured victory with another spectacular stop. This one came late on to deny Mark Cadwallader as he and McLaggon did the business at either end of the field.
Cardiff Met earned a 1-1 draw at Cefn Druids as Liam Warman cancelled out a 17th minute Druids strike from Jamie Reed.
Bala Town were the big winners as they hammered Penybont to go top. Home side Penybont made a fast start and Lewis Harling tapped home in the ninth minute to put them ahead after some sloppy Bala defending.
But the game turned on a 28th minute red card for Penybont’s Kane Owen for a foul on Kieran Smith and although the hosts held out until the break with 10 men, it didn’t last.
Bala scored all five of their goals in the second half with Will Evans and Chris Venables netting twice. Venables’ second was a penalty after Evans was fouled and there was still time for Smith to complete the scoring.