ONE GOAL QUAY TO PRE SEASON NOMADS VICTORY

CONNAHS QUAY NOMADS 1 CLIFTONVILLE 0
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ AIRBUS UK
22 JUNE 2019 --- 2PM

CONOR HARWOOD [LEFT] SEES HIS HEADER GOALBOUND FOR THE WINNER

A second half headed goal from substitute Conor Harwood was enough to give the Welsh side victory in a very close pre-season affair that in fairness could have gone either way with overall both sides being very happy with this workout in warm conditions as they plan for imminent European fixtures.

PADDY MCLAUGHLIN BRINGS HIS CLIFTONVILLE SIDE TO WALES

From past experience I've learned not to bother too much with pre-season games and don't normally disrupt the summer of rugby league and cricket but today with Cliftonville from the north of Ireland visiting the opportunity to see the oldest club in Ireland, formed 1879, could not be missed.  The club based at the wonderfully named Solitude were in serious warm up mode for their Europa League Preliminary Round game at Barry Town United in five days time and after victories at Derry City [2-1] and at home to Ards [5-0] the flight over to North Wales would see them encounter some Welsh Premier League opposition to set them up for what to expect in South Wales.
Connahs Quay are around three weeks away from their own European fixture versus Kilmarnock and after a goalless draw against the Isle of Man last weekend, also at Airbus, it would be a stronger side on show today with the need for both sides to move up a gear.

TIGHT SQUEEZE WITH JOE GORMLEY RIGHT

So with anticipation departure from base would be at 1020 and with changes at Stockport and Crewe, where I gained my first seat of the day[!] we arrived at platform one in Chester with time to catch the 1255 X4 to Mold which would conveniently leave from right outside the station and drop us off adjacent to the ground just before 1.30pm.  It was all rather tight on connections and any delay could have seen this a failure but thankfully all went well and it was a warm and sunny day at last after recently disappointing early summer days.

CHRIS CURRAN WATCHED OVER BY THE CLIFTONVILLE BENCH

Both sides were out on the pitch and after paying the £5 admin first sight of the two sides warming up was gained, Nomads produced a mini programme which was a creditable effort that sold out something I think the club were surprised about but there had been interest in the game all week a club official said.  The crowd of around 150 was made up of a collection of home supporters, Cliftonville supporters and a healthy collection of hoppers.  During the game it was lovely to catch up with the prolific Paul Moran who covers many games and you can see his pictures and thoughts on his twitter account, I had met Paul on a few occasions previously and he is of course the son of the ultimate one club man the legendary Liverpool manager and boot room team Ronnie Moran.

DERRY CITY LOANEE CONOR MCDERMOTT

Teams are always nigh on impossible to get for these games and having done some reviewing of the excellent Cliftonville Twitter and website I hopefully recognised a few players but of course its always difficult with changing hairstyles etc, so apologies if there are any mistaken ID's.
Both sides looked pretty strong with Chris Curran the North Belfast sides captain starting and loan signing from Derry Conor McDermott also on show.  For Nomads it was good to see Michael Bakare involved but frontman Michael Wilde was out I guess injured but in attendance watching. 
Cliftonville would play in their all green Sean Graham sponsored kit something they have done for all pre season friendlies while Nomads had heir new white away kit on but sadly no numbers on their backs which made the whole set up look strange, there was small numbers on the front and shorts but it was slightly disappointing.

LEVI IVES MOVES FORWARD

By the end of the first half I wondered why I hadn't done the cricket in all fairness it was a dour affair with little in the way of chances and we went into the break of course without any goals.
The second period by contrast was the complete opposite we had a handbags at ten paces which took a while to calm down as referee Pratt intervened and sensibilities returned on this hot day that had seen a few tempers boil over.  By now the game had opened up and we were witnessing a very open end to end encounter in the last half an hour Cliftonville [18] hit the woodwork with a crashing shot from the edge of the box but it was sub Harwood for Connahs Quay who would have a more or less immediate effect after coming on with an hour gone it took him just five minutes to guide home new signing Callum Roberts free kick off the right with a well directed header.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

As Cliftonville looked for the equaliser it was only an excellent save from Jamie Brass who denied them with ten minutes remaining coming out to meet the visitors number 10 who was clean through on goal.  Then with the clock ticking away the ever prominent danger of Levi Ives down the left saw the Cliftonville man get in the box to get a shot away but it was just wide and Connahs Quay would defend well to see the game through.

SECOND HALF CLIFTONVILLE MOVE MONITORED CLOSELY

This had been a tough work out for both sides in the conditions and although results don't matter it could have gone either way.  Time for me to leave although I did think otherwise as around twenty boxes of pizzas arrived for after match hospitality, mmm pizza!
Major queue of hoppers for the bus back to Chester but having let the train station bound bus go I along with a few others boarded the double decker back to the bus station and with a very quick connection opted to take what turned out to be a brief look at Chester Broughton Hall Cricket Club which was todays standby.  Unfortunately the seconds and the fourths games would come to a close within 40 minutes of arrival due to low totals posted but there was time for a look around this wonderful clubhouse and take on board some substance in the form of a chip cob and a pint of the lemonade.
Opting for a twenty minute walk back along the Shrosphire Canal for a different view of the sights of Chester would see a departure from the city at 5.55 and with comfortable changes at Crewe, Stockport and this time Sheffield base station was arrived at just after 8.30pm.
Good day out, once again no Beluga spotted at Airbus but great to catch up with both sides and enjoyed the first viewing of Cliftonville it will be enthralling to see how both clubs get on in Europe this season.