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.