Connah’s Quay’s midfield maestro Callum Morris has hailed his team’s spirit after a strong second-half display saw them run out 6-1 winners against out-of-form Aberystwyth Town last night to maintain their lead at the top of the JD Welsh Premier League table.
Connah’s Quay will remain a point clear if Barry Town win away at Cefn Druids his afternoon, defending champions The New Saints climbed into second spot overnight after another commanding display, this time against Newtown.
Aberystwyth meanwhile face missing out on a top-six place following what was their fifth-straight defeat. Their bid to secure a top-half finish will be officially ended today if Caernarfon Town win against Carmarthen Town.
Callum Morris converted his 10th goal of the season after putting Connah’s Quay ahead from the penalty spot after eight minutes.
But after Andy Owens had doubled the Nomads’ lead, the title challengers faced a nervy finish to the first half when Porya Ahmadi was allowed to turn inside the box and fire into the bottom corner to breathe fresh life into top-six hopefuls Aberystwyth.
A dominant second half display however saw Connah’s Quay hit four goals without reply as Michael Wilde, Michael Bakare, Michael Parker and Rob Hughes add their names to the scoresheet allowing the Nomads to claim the points in convincing fashion.
“I’m delighted, it’s a tough place to come, said Morris after the game. “They came back into the game with a goal which we’re disappointed about, but the lads showed great spirit in the second half and I thought we controlled the game and we put the game to bed.
“Every game is very important, we’ll come unstuck in a few, TNS will come unstuck in a few, so we all know how important each game is and how the league can swing.
“Over the years TNS haven’t been used to looking up but there’s still a long way to go so we’re not counting any chickens as they say, but it’s nice to be where we are.”
Jamie Mullan scored twice in quick succession in first-half added time as The New Saints ran out 4-0 winners against Newtown at Park Hall.
Aeron Edwards added a third ten minutes after the restart, before Ryan Brobbel, scored his sixth goal in four games, a minute later.
WEEKEND RESULTS/FIXTURES
Friday: Aberystwyth 1-6 Connah’s Quay, The New Saints 4-0 Newtown. Saturday: Caernarfon v Carmarthen, Cefn Druids v Barry Town, Cardiff Met v Bala Town, Llanelli v Llandudno