Gap Connah’s Quay clinched a UEFA Europa League place for a second season in a row after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bala Town.
The win earns the Nomads the points needed to seal an automatic European spot and sees them climb over Bala Town into second place.
George Horan’s first-half header was adjudged to have fully crossed the line when the defender’s attempt was held by goalkeeper Ashley Morris.
Bala grew into the game in the second period but their fate was sealed when Stuart Jones deflected Lewis Short’s long throw-in into his own net.
Connah’s Quay now need to match Bala Town’s result at TNS in next weekend’s final round of fixtures to finish the season as runners-up.
“We need to go down next week and match the same score TNS do at Bala,” Nomads manager Andy Morrison confirmed speaking post-match to the club’s official Audioboom.
“Bala have not beaten TNS in nearly 30 games I think, so a point down at Cardiff Met should be enough to get us second place and that’s thoroughly deserved.”
In their build-up to their game against Bala, Morrison had boldly predicted his side would not need be reliant on Bangor City dropping points to secure his Connah’s Quay side an automatic promotion spot.
With his claims proven correct, Morrison’s confidence in his players was well-placed.
“I stuck my neck out last week and said that we wouldn’t need any favours off anybody – I called it before the game today that TNS would go to Bangor and lose and that we’d have to get the right result here, and they’ve done it,” he said.
“I don’t want to call anybody out because every player from one to eleven was absolutely magnificent. They’ve stuck to their game plan, we knew what we would have to do against Bala and we got the result. I’m absolutely delighted with them.
“Two nil is testament to the performance and the way the game went. We were never in danger, they never caused us any problems whatsoever and John Danby didn’t have a save to make.
“We were always a little bit brighter, a little bit sharper and ultimately our set-plays were better than theirs and that’s what’s gone and won us the game.”
Morrison said he was full of admiration for his side’s determination and resolve with the Nomads contending with a lengthy injury list for much of the season.
“They’ve had to overcome so much this year, with the injuries – it’s the worst injury record in Welsh Premier history. Nobody has had had cruciates, broken feet, fractured feet and raptured ankle ligaments which is what we’ve had to come back with.
“If you take TNS out of the occasion against the other clubs we concede 0.6 goals on average a game which is quite a staggering achievement. They’ve given me everything they’ve got and not come up short so am very proud of them.”
This season has been Morrison’s first full campaign with the Nomads and with his sights set on finishing second in the table, the former Manchester City player will then embark on strengthening his squad for another European adventure.
“I came here 18 months ago, we now have back to back European campaigns and put nearly €700,000 in the coffers so it’s a staggering achievement. I’m so proud of what we’ve done but we can’t rest on our laurels, we have to kick on again now.
“We have to do what Bala have down over the last three years – we have to go and cherry pick the best players from around the league to add to the group. We’ve got to get better and better and better and keep challenging because that’s the only way, because if you don’t you go backwards.”
Good Friday Dafabet Welsh Premier League results
Airbus UK 0-7 Newtown, Bangor City 3-0 TNS, Carmarthen 0-4 Cardiff Met, Cefn Druids 3-2 Llandudno, Connah’s Quay 2-0 Bala Town, Aberystwyth v Rhyl (7.45).
Featured image courtesy of NCM Media/Gap Connah’s Quay/Welsh Premier League
