Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 Carmarthen Town 3

Apr 18 2008

by Paul Wheelock, Flintshire Chronicle

CHRIS Williams settled Saturday’s enthralling contest which was anything but your typical end of season fare. An afternoon of great drama started before the kick-off when Carmarthen’s player-boss Deryn Brace was forced to take over the goalkeeper’s gloves after his usual number one pulled out on the morning of the match because of an emergency. And Nomads ensured former Wrexham defender Brace was not given an easy early ride as Ged Courtney, with a hooked effort, and Craig Jones, with a rising drive, struck in the opening 10 minutes. And, after Paul Fowler hit the bar for the visitors, Sam McNutt latched on to a bouncing ball to put the hosts – who had lost December’s meeting between the teams 8-0– in dreamland. They were brought back down to earth, however, after the break by Sasha Walters (2) and Gregg Coombes. But Jim Hackett’s vastly-improved side ensured they finished the Welsh Premier League campaign on a high when Bangor-target Williams headed in the winner. STAR MAN: Chris Williams. Nomads: Pritchard, Baker, Morgan (White 75), Alston, Williams, Jones, Cadwallader, Cook (Cronshaw 65), Courtney (McAllister 46), Herbert, McNutt. Sub: Price. Goals: Courtney 7, Jones 9, McNutt 35, Williams 80. Carmarthen: Brace, Palmer (May 81), Smothers, Coombes, Hancock, Thomas, Walters, Hicks, Fowler, Easter, Cotterrall (Morris 75). Goals: Walters 54, 77, Coombes 65. Attendance: 110. ON FRIDAY – See The Flintshire Chronicle for big match pictures plus the latest on the future of Nomads boss Jim Hackett. From the Evening Leader:- Connah's Quay Nomads finished the season in style as they grabbed a dramatic late winner in a 4-3 victory over Carmarthen. ON TARGET – Nomads' Craig Jones Nomads found themselves three goals to the good inside the first half as Ged Courtney, Craig Jones and Sam McNutt netted. Carmarthen manager Deryn Brace turned out as an emergency goalkeeper after regular number one Neil Thomas missed the match, and he had a first half to forget as Nomads built up a 3-0 lead. The second half was a different story as Carmarthen dominated from the outset and fought themselves level through a Sasha Walters double and a Greg Coombes effort. But Nomads had the last word with a back-header from defender Chris Williams as they snatched all three points in dramatic fashion.

Nomads find their way

Apr 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

CARMARTHEN manager Deryn Brace found himself turning out as emergency goalkeeper when regular Neil Thomas had to rush his wife to hospital – and Nomads cashed in to end their roller-coaster season on a high.

Brace’s worries mounted when Nomads put two past him in the opening nine minutes, Jed Courtney grabbing the first and Craig Jones a second into the bottom corner. Worse followed on 34 minutes when Sam McNutt rounded the stranded Brace in a one-on-one for number three.

Paul Fowler and Jamal Easter got in good efforts for Carmarthen who produced a stunning rally in a second half fightback to go level.

Sasha Walters set them on their way on 54 minutes with Greg Coombes hammering home the second from a free kick on the edge of the box 10 minutes later. Walters again pounced on 77 minutes but Nomads had the last word with a back-header from defender Chris Williams on 80 minutes.