NOMADS FAW TROPHY HOPES DENTED BY GREENFIELD

FC NOMADS OF CONNAHS QUAY 2 V GREENFIELD 3
FAW TROPHY 2ND ROUND @ WEPRE PARK
19 SEPTEMBER 2015 2PM

LATE NOMADS GOAL IS NOT QUITE ENOUGH

A fast, entertaining and enthralling FAW Trophy tie was settled thanks to a double strike in the second half from Shaun Pritchard for the visitors and even though a late goal from Rhys Norton reduced the arrears it wasn't enough to force the game into extra time.
The day as ever started at base station and today there it was good to catch up with my regular Alfreton Town fans who were on their way to Stockport along with a collection of Newcastle fans on their way to the north east.  Our first change at Stockport was successfully completed and with another sharp change at Chester assisted by the Llandudno train being delayed and we were ready to make our re acquaintances with Connahs Quay.  The station here at Shotton is interesting with our train arriving at the lower level station for the line that travels east to west with the line above taking the north south option from Wrexham to Liverpool.  The season before last had seen a visit to GAP Connahs Quay for the WPL game versus Port Talbot so thankfully from that visit we had spotted a Wetherspoon's by the station. 

THE CENTRAL HOTEL STANDING PROUD BY SHOTTON STATION

The Central Hotel, Shotton, is a fine building which like most Spoons was adorned with local pictures including the remarkable steelworks just over the River Dee now a shadow of its former self in employment terms but still dominant on the skyline.


WE ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Following a early lunch and glass of Lemonade, yes it is definitely lemonade, we wandered our way out of Shotton and over the boundary to Connahs Quay, both towns merge into one another and very much have the feel of a former industrial area. 
Today with GAP at home against Llandudno straight along the road we turn off to the left towards Wepre Park for the chance to take a look at FC Nomads of Connahs Quay.
FC Nomads came to life when Bobby Hunter [secretary] and fans were concerned about the proposed merger of GAP Connahs Quay with Flint Town Utd in 2009 came to light and they decided to bring to life the club who have risen steadily to a good standard of football with a quite visible club thanks to their officials efforts.
The club had come onto a list of 'to do's' following a few suggestions from other people and the mention of a programme alongside an active Twitter and Website, thanks to Ritchie Minshull a man who has multiple tasks at the club including being club photographer during the game alongside taking notes for the match reports too.
As we turned into Wepre Park we were aware that the club play within the grounds of the park and do not have an externally fenced off ground but were expectant of an entertaining Trophy game in prospect.

OVERVIEW LOOKING BACK TO THE CHANGING ROOMS

We wandered past the ground to visit the parks café which it has to be said was excellent and doubled up as an information centre for the park and Flintshire area as a whole.  We did not have time to walk on to discover Elwoe Castle but managed to read the tales about times gone by on the information boards.  Before we move onto FC Nomads one final mention for the ladies in the café today who were very friendly and welcoming.

LEANNE MARKETING TODAYS PROGRAMME

A short walk back to the ground and around the changing rooms, which are built a short walk from behind the goal, we catch up with Ritchie from whom we had ordered a few programmes earlier this morning, this is advised if your are visiting and want to guarantee a copy of this admirable 32 page compilation which for a club at this level is a great effort,  It was good to catch up too with match day secretary Leanne Attridge who kindly supplied the blog todays team line ups. Sometimes ground descriptions can be a long and winding road but todays is a nice simple one.  There is no hard standing, grass all the way round, the left hand side has a small grass bank which offers a lovely view of the pitch and away in the distance to the steel works over the river Dee.

STEEL WORKS AT SHOTTON COMMAND THE SKYLINE

Behind this bank is a wooded area also on this side is a hard standing for the two dug outs which are not brought out for an appearance today although on the pictures I have seen look smart adorned with the Nomads badge.  The opposite side as a small sloping grass bank away from the pitch from the immediate touchline and that's it.  No stands or terracing or nooks and crannies here I did read on somebodies blog last week that often 'less is more' and today we received a nice welcome from the club officials and before the game from Nomads manager Craig Hett and assistant manager Colin Evans to back up this statement.

NOMADS MANAGER CRAIG HETT [LEFT] AND ASSISTANT COLIN EVANS

The blog understands that the ground which has a nice metal barrier with wooden post support around the pitch will soon have a external fence enclosing the ground from the park soon.  Hopefully this will give FC Nomads a chance to develop inside and help in their advancement.
Before the game we also caught up with referee Phil Hughes who I had seen officiating as an assistant referee at the Holywell v Caernarfon game, it appears that Phil is also from Greenfield an interesting appointment-although of course he was nothing but fair through the 90 minutes.  One slight disappointment was the lack of assistant referees at todays game I believe it is left to clubs to request them although, while accepting the cost for clubs, I think the FAW should appoint them to their national competition.

GREENFIELD FC

With a small crowd gathering, around 55 at the start of the second half [always a good time to record a steady figure who are watching], as kick off approached Leanne was attempting to sell the programme. With this and badges their only way of taking match day revenue due to no admission being allowed due to the ground being in a public park.  Its a great shame there is no collection or raffle to encourage people to contribute to the club especially as both teams put on an entertaining affair today, although I'm sure lots would do the hand tapping pocket dance [sorry no change mate].
Greenfield popped along to Connahs Quay from just 7 miles away and brought with them an unbeaten league record which had so far secured them a top of the table spot in the Welsh Alliance League 2.  They came to the Nomads who were also having a successful start to the season and are sitting in fourth spot in the Welsh National League Premier [Wrexham] alongside this they had just secured a 7-1 FAW Cup victory over Mochdre Sports in a fixture that was reversed back to Wepre Park.

REFEREE PHIL HUGHES PREPARES FOR THE KICK OFF

The visitors started the strongest and looked to have settled better but as often happens Nomads first chance brought a goal a wonderful strike form the right angled edge of the box from Gary McConnell who found the bottom left hand corner.  As Greenfield looked for a way back Liam Robinson struck the bar with a close range header before visiting keeper kept it at one nil with an excellent full length save from former Holywell player Wayne Edwards header.

GREENFIELD GET HIGHER

So we arrived at half time with Nomads one goal to the good and Greenfield probably feeling a little hard done by for their first half contributions.  There was time to nip along to the parks snack bar for a few half time treats before returning to see the visitors take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Within 5 minutes of the re start Gareth Henley had levelled when he drilled home from 16 yards after the home side had failed to clear well from a header and then 10 minutes later Pritchard gave Greenfield the lead as he drew out Nomads keeper Steve Hollyoak before slotting past him.  Greenfield were delirious 5 minutes later when Pritchard swept home his second to give the visitors a 3-1 lead after 65 minutes.
Nomads made changes but it was still proving difficult to find the chances but finally in the last 15 minutes they got up a head of steam to threaten the Greenfield goal and on 87 minutes they deservedly pulled a goal back when a corner off the right from Andy Watkin arrived low at the near post for Rhys Norton to guide the ball home.

The remaining minutes would not give up an equaliser which would have given this game an even more entertaining edge but overall Greenfield had done enough with Nomads probably not getting out of the traps early enough today although in the latter stages they looked a different side.
A steady amble was demanded on this walk back to Shotton station as we had plenty of time the blog even popped up to take a look at the higher level station before we camped out in the waiting shelter at Low level for the return to Chester. 
With connections well made here and at Stockport we made base station at 8pm and had time on the return journey to review an enjoyable visit to Flintshire for what had been an enjoyable game and visit once again to Wales.

SHOTTON CHARIOT AWAITS