The Isle of Man FA’s men’s side held Welsh Cup winners Connah’s Quay Nomads to a 0-0 draw in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The North Wales side were using the match at a hot and sunny Bowl as part of their preparation for their Europa League qualifier with Belarus’s Shakhtyor Soligorsk on Thursday.

Island manager Paul Jones continues to mould his squad ahead of the new season, with a number of new faces introduced to the island set-up in recent weeks.

The match was played in sweltering conditions with water breaks mid-way through each of the the two halves.

Despite this the first half-hour was a very competitive affair. It was the visitors who mustered the better chances, Nathan Woolfe having a shot saved by DHSOB goalkeeper Sam Holliday, before Noah Edwards had an effort cleared off the line by Jack McVey.

The Welsh side came close again on the stroke of half-time, when George Hogan sent a header just off target.

The Isle of Man’s best opportunity fell to Sean Doyle when he was put clear but the ball didn’t sit for him and the chance was missed.

Both sides made a number of substitutions at the interval.

Nomads came the closest to scoring after the restart, Jack Kenny intercepted Cameron Lee’s back-pass, but goalkeeper Matthew Quirk was alert to pull off the save.

The Isle of Man created an opportunity around the hour mark, when Mike Williams’s header was expertly claimed by the goalkeeper, before Quirk pulled off another two saves.

However, the Isle of Man FA came close to snatching victory at the end when Rhys Oates’s strike was superbly saved by the Welsh goalkeeper.

Isle of Man FA first half: Sam Holliday, Luke Doherty, Ryan Burns, Jack McVey, Tom Wood, Sam Caine, Joe Quayle, Sean Doyle, Rhys Oates, Ashley Higginbotham, Daniel Simpson.

IoMFA second half: Matthew Quirk, Cameron Lee, Alex Harrison, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Matthew Woods, Frank Jones, Sam Caine (Rhys Oates 83m), Joe Walters, Stephen Whitley, Michael Williams.

l The squad played the Isle of Man Schools U19s side the evening before (Friday). This finished 4-1 to the senior side.

Upcoming IoMFA pre-season friendlies (to be played at the Bowl, Douglas)

Saturday, July 14: Altrincham FC

Saturday, July 21: Bangor FC

Saturday, August 4: Rhyl FC

PAUL HATTON