CONNAHS QUAY WIN WELSH CUP FOR FIRST TIME

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1 CONNAHS QUAY NOMADS 4
FAW WELSH CUP FINAL @ LATHAM PARK
6 MAY 2018 --- 2.45PM

CONNAHS QUAY NOMADS FAW CUP WINNERS 2017/18

Connah's Quay Nomads lifted the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history thanks to a first half that featured a brace from Michael Wilde and a Michael Bakare goal after the two had tormented the Aber defence.  Aber pulled a goal back in first half stoppage time from Ryan Wade before in the closing stages of the game Andy Owens lashed home a fourth to give the North Wales club a comprehensive victory.
The Bank Holiday weekend brought bright sunshine and the good lady decided a trip to Mid Wales for some football would be good and avoiding the train travel off we set on the roads, is there a nicer ground at the top level than Newtown to visit?  Just over two and a half hours later we were pulling into the town with a small delay on the way for the obligatory traffic jam thanks to a Bank Holiday car boot sale in the midlands.

LATHAM PARK LOOKING GOOD

The town was looking resplendent in the bright sunshine and the blue sky's just added to the occasion with a little time to go a meander around the town and a call into the local 'Spoons' for a meal which was the order of the day.  It was fairly full and the whole atmosphere was added to when a few moments after ordering around twenty Aber fans came in and proceeded to sing their songs with the odd expletive, by odd I mean every third word, at full throttle.

NEWTOWN AFC ANYWHERE BETTER IN THE TOP FLIGHT

Upon arrival we were actually queuing to get into Latham Park 45 minutes before kick off and once inside the place was a hive of activity, with seats secured in the Keith Harding stand a circuit was completed with players and officials out in full swing with pre match warm ups.  I won't re visit the ground descriptor because its been done before on here needless to say its a fine collection of different stands and nooks and crannies and there always seems a nice welcome from Newtown Fc, today was no different a very well run final by the club and The FAW.

BAKARE GETS AN EARLY SHOT AWAY

Pre-match saw The Scorpions display team parachute in with the match ball and then time for the teams to come out and after presentation of the teams to Wales manager Ryan Giggs it was time for the National Anthem one again I ask the question is there a better more passionate one?
The red hot afternoon saw his set right at the back of the stand but this would be a hot afternoon for all participants and although your heart backed Aberystwyth your head undoubtedly said Connah's Quay.

WILDE [9] HEADER MAKES IT 2-0

The opening stages were fast and furious with little controlled football but both sides were looking for a knock out blow without any real chances.  Then out of the blue two goals in a couple of minutes Bakare nipped in ahead of Aber keeper Chris Mullock to turn the ball into the Ceredigion sides goal and then Michael Wilde rose at the far post to head down a left wing corner into the net to make it two nil after 27 minutes.  The work rate and aerial presence of Wilde was proving a problem and if that was an issue the pace and step overs of Bakare was even getting the back row of the stand going the wrong way.  The green army were looking frightened of Bakare and he was in awesome form through this period of the game but the match looked to be put to bed on 41 minutes when Wilde latched onto a set up ball from Declan Poole and coolly slotted past Mullock to make it 3-0.

WILDE MAKES IT 3-0 WITH HIS SECOND

Aberystwyth were now struggling to compete and you hoped for a goal to give them a chance and so it came in the second minute of first half stoppage time when Ryan Wade looped in a beautiful header which Nomads keeper got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

PLEASED TO MEET YOU NOMADS KEEPER DANBY GREETS ABERS SHERLOCK

The west coast side had to do a lot better in breaking down a resolute Connah's Quay and they were struggling but the controversial moment that could have given them inspiration came on 62 minutes when they were denied a goal.  Malcolm Melvin picked up the ball before driving in a 25 yard effort that crashed off the underside of the bar fell over the line and bounced back into play.  From our lofted position the first shout was 'goal' and TV replays show this later although it has to be said its nearly impossible for an assistant referee to see this and catch up with a powerful shot from distance!
At 3-2 it could have been game on but Connah's Quay went back to their thwarting plan and Aberystwyth seemed not to have the ability to break down the strong defending as frustrations and time wore on at The other end Bakare had a shot cleared off the line before he forced Mullock into a good save.

STILL TIME FOR A CARD FROM IWAN GRIFFITHS

Aber were all but out now and on 90 minutes the final victory was confirmed when Owens made space and cut across the penalty box to fire home with Mullock unable to stop the shot.
So the cup would head back north and Connah's Quay for the first time in their history and a season and weekend to celebrate for the Andy Morrison and his club.
Time was now approaching to present the cup to Nomads captain George Horan before the bubbly was fired off at all angles and it was time to leave the celebration players and fans from north Wales after a tremendous event which as previously mentioned as superbly staged and a crowd of 1,455 was a tremendous turn out in a game that I feared would see a much lower attendance.
After a stop in the town for the much needed liquid at the big 'M's' we were back in 2 1/2 hours from a wonderful day out in Wales and a bit of history to boot.