Nomads boss hoping Brass won’t be shining for Caernarfon’s visit
CONNAH’S Quay Nomads boss Andy Morrison is hoping for a few less heroics from his former goalkeeper Lewis Brass when he returns to the Deeside Stadium this weekend for the penultimate round of matches in the JD Cymru Premier League.
It was a string of wonder saves from Brass, who won the title with the Nomads last season, against The New Saints for his new club Caernarfon Town that helped to tilt the battle for this year’s crown in favour of his old team.
The goal less draw Caernarfon were able to secure at Park Hall, three days after the Nomads had been there and won 4-1, ensured the reigning champions stayed two points clear at the top.
That is how it has remained, leaving Morrison’s men in with a chance of taking the title this weekend.
For that to happen, the Nomads will have to get past Brass and his Caernarfon teammates and hope TNS either draw or lose at home to Barry Town United to increase their lead to beyond three points.
“I am the reason that Lewis got the job at Caernarfon after leaving us. It was great seeing him play so well against TNS,” said Morrison.
“He is an excellent goalkeeper and now we’ve got to find a way past him this weekend.
“We know we are the only team that can win the title this weekend, but we also know that anything could happen.
“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. There are still two games to play and we’ve got two tough outings.”
The 2-1 win at Jenner Park against Barry on Tuesday night kept the Nomads on course to make it back-to-back titles, although TNS kept up the pressure with a 3-0 at Penybont. Two goals in as many minutes won the game for the champions after they went behind to a 67th-minute strike from Theo Wharton.
That raised the blood pressure in the Nomads’ dug-out and it took a 76th-minute penalty from Callum Morris, his second in three games, and Craig Curran conjured up the winner two minutes later to ease the nerves. Barry then had Jordan Cotterill sent off in time added on at the end of the game.
Three second-half goals by TNS saw them home at Penybont, with Ben Clark, Ryan Brobbel and Leo Carlos-Smith delivering the goods. They now host Barry on Saturday before ending the season against third-placed Bala Town.
Bala were beaten 3-0 at Caernarfon Town, where Max Cleworth scored twice in the first half and Sion Bradley wrapped things up after the break, to complete the Championship Conference games.
In the Play-Off Conference, Cardiff Met kept alive their slim hopes of topping the second tier table with an epic 3-2 win at the home of leaders, Newtown. They were forced to come from behind after Tyrone Ofori gave the Robins the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute.
Lewis Rees levelled four minutes later before the prolific Ollie Hulbert made it 2-1 to the visitors with his goal on 54 minutes. A penalty from Nick Rushton made it all square before Met skipper Brad Woolridge was fouled in the home penalty area and Elliot Evans kept his cool to smash home the winner in the 77th minute.
In the other game in the PlayOff Conference, Flint Town United hit nine-man Cefn Druids for six.