by Callum Ellis
CONNAH’S Quay Nomads extended their advantage at the top of the Cymru Premier with a comfortable 4-0 victory against 10-man Barry Town United.
Michael Wilde made it three goals in his last two appearances as he found the back of the net twice, either side of an acrobatic finish from Jamie Insall, inside the first-half.
Barry midfielder Jonathan Hood was dismissed for dissent and Insall headed home his second and the Nomads’ fourth on a miserable afternoon for the home side.
Gavin Chesterfield made two changes from Barry’s 4-1 defeat against Caernarfon Town last weekend, with Clayton Green and Sion Spence brought into the starting line-up.
While Samron Sing-Dool and Michael Bakare were the two changes for the visitors from their 1-1 draw with The New Saints.
The first chance fell to Wilde who saw his powerful effort deflected behind for a corner. Sameron Singh-Dool took the resulting set-piece and Nomads skipper George Horan diverted his header marginally past the post.
Wilde – whose late strike earned the Nomads a point against defending Cymru Premier champions TNS last weekend – continued to cause problems and put the away side ahead with a powerful header. Bakare’s pin-point cross found the head of the striker and he nodded past Mike Lewis at his near post.
Barry’s chances of finding a way back into the game took a hit when they were reduced to 10 men just before the half-hour mark. Hood was frustrated with a decision from referee Dean John and, initially, appeared to be booked for dissent before the referee brandished the red card, giving the midfielder his marching orders.
The Nomads made the extra man count and doubled their advantage through the acrobatics of Insall. After Declan Poole’s effort was blocked by Curtis Watkins, Insall was on hand to fire past Lewis with a bicycle-kick.
Andy Morrison’s side ensured the points were wrapped up before half-time when Wilde added his second of the afternoon. Singh-Dool surged into the area and saw his low effort parried by Lewis into the path of the striker, who stroked the ball into an empty net.
Drew Fahiya replaced Cardiff City loanee Spence at the half-time interval as the home side searched for an unlikely route back into the contest. Luke Cummings found space in the opening stages of the second-half and, after being urged to shoot by the Barry faithful, struck a left-footed effort at the side netting.
But the Nomads responded with their fourth and Insall’s second. Priestly Farquharson did well to hold the ball up and delivered across goal for an unmarked Insall to head beyond Lewis.
Morrison’s side could have added a fifth when Singh-Dool fizzed a low effort which sailed over the crossbar but substitute Fahiya created two opportunities in quick succession for the home side.
Fahiya’s cross into the penalty area found the head of Luke Cooper, who headed over the crossbar, before he evaded the offside trap and unselfishly squared the ball to McLaggon. The striker looked destined to grab a consolation for the hosts but Horan came to the rescue to keep the Nomads’ clean sheet intact.
Barry goalkeeper Lewis was forced into making two strong saves late on, denying Daniel Holmes and substitute Nathan Woolfe from adding to the away side’s tally.
The result sees the Nomads stretch their unbeaten run to 14 league games and open up a three-point gap over second-placed Barry, who have played a game less, at the top of the table.
Barry Town United: Mike Lewis, Luke Cummings, Luke Cooper, Curtis Watkins, Chris Hugh, Keyon Reffell, Evan Press, Sion Spence (Drew Fahiya 45′), Clayton Green (Jordan Cotterill 65′), Kayne McLaggon (Jack Compton 65′) Jonathan Hood.
Subs not used: George Ratcliffe, Momodou Touray.
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Lewis Brass, Priestly Farquharson, George Horan, Daniel Harrison, Daniel Holmes, Callum Morrison, Declan Poole, Sameron Singh-Dool (Sam Williams 84′), Michael Bakare (Nathan Woolfe 55′), Michael Wilde (Conor Harwood 77′), Jamie Insall.
Subs not used: Callum Manley, James Owen.
