Connah's Quay Nomads 1 Kilmarnock 2
For me, the football season almost always starts in July watching Wales's finest in Europe. And what a fright the Nomads gave mighty Killie, taking the lead with an own goal 15 mins from time. It was their only effort on goal. However the referee saved Kilmarnock's blushes a few minutes later when he awarded them a penalty when the incident looked more like a foul on a Connah's Quay player to me. Then the Scots broke Welsh hearts by heading the winner from a corner a few seconds from the end of stoppage time.
Killie fans travelled in large numbers making for a great atmosphere. I guess when you play the same few sides over and over and over again in the SPL, its nice to have a change.
The game was switched to Rhyl as Deeside Stadium only has 420 seats - and it was a 1400-1500 sell out. Welsh teams seem reluctant to play European games in England. Large numbers of teams all across the continent have to switch European games because of ground grading. Looking at my little book, over the years, I have seen teams stage games at the following grounds.
At Rhyl: Rhyl, Bala Town, Prestatyn Town, Bangor City, Connah's Quay Nomads
At Bangor: Bangor City, Llandudno
At Wrexham: Airbus UK, TNS, Cefn Druids, Bangor City (plus Wrexham themselves many, many years ago)
At TNS: TNS
By sheer coincidence my first game last season was Killie vs St Mirren on the way back from Islay.