Experienced Druids end youthful Nomads cup run

A very youthful Nomads side resting seven first team regulars met a Druids side at full strength on a very good night for football at the Rock. In a very even game hindered by an eccentric performance from a comically austere referee who seemed, perversely, to reverse the few big decisions made, we did well to finish with eleven fit men on the pitch.

In a good start for the Nomads we built attack upon attack and Aled Reece linked well with James McIntosh to force some low stops from Mullock. Druids long ball game put our back line under pressure but John handled very well and Shaun Tinsley showed what we can expect to see much more of next year, control, strength and good reading of the game. Liam was running things in the middle and we played well without setting up that good chance to score.

The hosts had much more of the second half, but it was George Baxter who put his name on the game. A string of good swift breaks might have led to more. Druids forged a lead with a typical power drive from full back Mark Harris whose vicious volley into the top corner was unstoppable. A good game moved end to end and young George was running free of defenders who constantly chopped him down. On 69 minutes we drew level. A ball bounced amongst a group of players on the far post and was bundled in by two defenders and Aled Reece. In all probability the last touch was that of a defender but Reece had forced the issue and he is credited with the goal. The referee who usually officiates in the Wrexham area league was always a bit out of his depth in this fast match between top level two sides. He showed this best when George Baxter was cut down from behind and required treatment. When the trainer left the field we saw the referee reach for his cards, was the offender Peate going to see Red? Astonishingly, despite a cut leg, he booked George for simulation.

Extra time saw Nomads and Druids both stretched as they sought a winner. Our biggest fear was not from Druids but from the man in black, as he repeatedly allowed Druids’ to strong arm us, repeatedly awarded free kicks and throw in’s the wrong way. Dissent threatened to boil over and we feared a Red Card and a three game ban for one of our key players. Two moments of Individual brilliance decided this match. Paul Speed ran on to a wide pass on the left and cut inside past Mark McGregor before scoring the winner with a curling drive. Then with seconds remaining a strong run from Shaun Tinsley led to a great shot from distance that completely beat the despairing Mullock but not the crossbar.
Missing O’Toole, Petrie, Robinson, Rowlands, Forde, Tigger and bringing Ricky on only for the last ten of normal time this was a big ask. Tinsley, Reece and Baxter certainly didn’t let us down and we more than matched the best Druids had other than the cup tied Mike Burke. No one got sent off and we move onwards to face the big three matches in great shape.

Nomads ; Rushton,Alston,McGregor,Dobbins:Baxter, Tinsley,Hooley,Loughlin, Rob Jones;Reece,McIntosh..subs Evans,O'Toole,Ryan Jones.