Second phase of Welsh Premier in confusion after Connahs Quay points deduction

Connahs Quay Nomads thought they had secured their place in the top six of the Welsh Premier League before the mid-season split with an action-packed 6-3 win over 10-man Bala Town, before it emerged they were to be deducted a point for fielding an ineligible player.

The Nomads introduced Lee Davey as a late substitute in their fixture with Carmarthen Town on January 5, but it has emerged that he had already appeared for Colwyn Bay and Conwy Borough this term – and it is not permitted for a player to appear for three teams in one season.

A statement from the Welsh Premier League on the incident concluded: “The panel decided to deduct the club one Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League point and fine them £250 for fielding Lee Davey as a late substitute in the league match against Carmarthen Town.

“Gap Connahs Quay has seven business days in which to appeal the decision. The club is perfectly within its rights to appeal.

“The Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League is aware that this may impact the beginning of the second phase of the [season].”

Connahs Quay have decided to appeal the decision, meaning there could be a delay to the start of the second phase.

A statement read: "We apologise for any disruption that might occur to our colleagues as we take our right to appeal. We believe we are innocent of the charge brought against us by the FAW as both prosecution and jury.

"We are taking this fight forward and hope you will appreciate that, if we allow this injustice to proceed, we weaken all of the clubs.

"It could easily be you charged similarly next. If the official Welsh FA registrations database is not to be trusted and is dismissed by the FAW as just advisory, then how are clubs to protect themselves in this situation?

"We will avail of our right to appeal until no appeal process is left open to us. Unfortunately this may take some time."

So fans are now awaiting on the result of that appeal to find out who will nab that sixth place, and the fixtures for the second phase can be finalised.

On the field, Bala could have secured their own place in the top half during a frantic encounter with the Nomads, but a red card for defender Conall Murtagh for a two-footed lunge after five minutes made that all the more difficult.

A Ben Collins own goal put Connahs Quay ahead, but Bala equalised when Lewis Codling slotted through the legs of John Rushton after a delightful chip in to the area from Lee Hunt.

An even half, in which Bala squandered numerous chances, was then rounded off by a fine first senior goal by Connahs Quay’s Ryan Edwards from long range.

The Nomads dominated the second half and four Mike Hayes goals out-scored a penalty by Hunt and a Stuart Jones header for Bala.

Carmarthen had pushed Connahs Quay for that sixth place with a 4-2 win over fellow top six hopefuls Newtown, but missed out on goal difference - a mere two goals. Their srikes came via recent signings Geoff Kellaway and Christian Doidge both netting a brace for the Old Gold.

Newtown had twice taken the lead through Luke Boundford and Shane Sutton, but the hosts slowly grabbed control.

If the FAW upholds its decision, then it would be Carmarthen who take that coveted sixth place and a shot at European football next term.

Elsewhere, league leaders TNS ended Aberystwyth Town’s very slim hopes of a top six finish. They triumphed 3-0, with a brace by Alex Darlington and a goal from substitute Kai Edwards, in a game they largely dominated from start to finish.

Third-placed Bangor City shared a 2-2 draw with fifth-placed Port Talbot Town. There were two braces here also, one for either side, with Port Talbot’s Ashley Evans giving them the lead and then later rescuing a point after Bangor’s Chris Simm had scored two goals of his own.

Finally, struggling Afan Lido continued their torrid season, keeping up their average of conceding three goals a game by going down 3-1 at Airbus UK.

Wayne Riley gave Airbus the perfect start on three minutes, before Steve Tomassen and Phil Bolland put the home side three up in just 26 minutes.

Kieran Howard gave the score some respectability for Afan Lido on 75 minutes.

In the Welsh Cup fourth round, Huws Gray Alliance side Flint Town United overcame Cardiff outfit Caerau Ely 3-1, in a game surrounded by pre-match controversy.

After two postponements, competition rules state the tie should be switched to the ground of the away side. After Flint appealed, the FAW sided with them and Caerau reluctantly made the long trip up north for a second time.

They were undone by two goals in two minutes from Sean Beck and Stuart Hughes. Nathan Pete added a third before Keyon Reffell pulled one back and was then sent off in the last minute.

In the Huws Gray Alliance League, Rhyl maintain their 14-point lead at the top after demolishing Rhydymwyn 7-1.  Dave Forbes, Paul MacManus, Tom Rowlands, Mark Evans, Steff Halewood and James Gambino (two) got the goals, with Dan Drazdauskas scoring a consolation for Rhydymwyn.

Conwy Borough are second after a hard-fought win over Penycae, while there was an exciting finish at Llandudno where Ruthin Town came from 4-1 down with 10 minutes to go to draw 4-4 and move off the bottom.

It was also an eventful day in the Welsh League Division One – top two Taffs Well and Barry Town winning seven goal thrillers. Barry came from 3-1 down at half-time to defeat Monmouth Town 4-3, and Taffs Well won by the same scoreline over Haverfordwest County in a game full of incident.

Taffs Well now head to Barry on February 8 for a mouth-watering top of the table dual.

Elsewhere, Darren Griffiths notched five as West End triumphed 7-3 at Bryntirion Athletic, and there were wins for Aberdare Town, Tata Steel, Cambrian & Clydach and Pontardawe Town, in a truly remarkable day for Welsh football that will live long in the memory.