Gary Grabs Another Trio To Sink The Bucks

An intense local derby saw Nomads increase their lead at the top of the table thanks largely to Gary O'Toole's second hat trick in six days.

The hot shot striker took his tally to 20 for the season to send the home side two points clear with a game in hand over title rivals Rhyl, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Cefn Druids. 
 
Player-boss Mark McGregor made two changes to the side that cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win at Porthmadog last weekend, with Tom Baker replacing the injured Ben Alston in the back line as Rob Jones was handed his first start since November - at the expense of Dean Thurston. 

Despite playing into a strong breeze, Nomads quickly siezed the initiative and were a goal up inside three minutes. Jamie Petrie, who enjoyed his best game of the season at Porthmadog, was the instigator sending over a perfect low cross from the right wing that O'Toole converted at the far post.

Buckley were rocked by this early setback and, despite a positive response, could easily have conceded again soon afterwards, twice clearing off their own goal line.

Buckley were certainly out to prove themselves as an attacking force and looked dangerous when Anthony Williams and Neil Wynne were going forward.

Nonetheless, Nomads continued to create chances and when former Buck James McIntosh was put through, danger loomed for the visitors only for the referee to stop the game to award Connah's Quay a free kick.

The Buck's wind-assisted corner kicks were proving troublesome and it was from such a set piece that the visitors equalised four minutes before the interval. A right wing corner was only partly cleared allowing tall centre-back Gareth Edwards to fire home from 12 yards, the ball going in off the underside of the bar.

The visitors, buoyed by their goal, forced Nomads back in the early stages of the second half but it was the hosts that scored again after 52 minutes.

A fierce drive struck a Buckley hand and although O'Toole netted the rebound, referee Farrell had blown for a penalty kick which Gary O'Toole duly despatched to restore the advantage. 

On the hour, however, Nomads were reduced to ten men when Rob Jones was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Gareth Caughter. Both players were guilty of challenging with studs showing but it was Jones who led and duly received his marching orders.  

The home side had to dig deep but were constantly spurred on by captain Craig Jones and it was no surprise when they took a 3-1 lead after 74 minutes. In fact it was Caughter who started the move as he miskicked near the touchline.

'Keeper Jamie Hulse kicked clear but his effort struck Jamie Petrie and ballooned into the air. With Hulse and his defenders out of position Petrie had only to wait for the ball to drop before firing into the unguarded net.

With Nomads by now on top, despite the numerical disadvantage, Buckley's former Nomads frontman Phil Molyneux was having to drop deeper in order to provide a service for his strike partners and to supplement the midfield efforts of Barry Calder, Caughter and skipper John Leonard but Nomads defenders were equal to all that was thrown at them.

The visitors did manage to hit the bar when a hopeful punt caught on the wind and caused Adam McGee a little consternation but otherwise the hosts remained comfortable.

The points were sealed four minutes from time when last man Gareth Edwards upended Ben Collins in the 'box and O'Toole grabbed the ball to ensure another hat-trick - sending Hulse the opposite way.

Strangely, Edwards, having been cautioned earlier in the game, was not shown another card and the match ended with several talking points for the fans of both sides to debate.

The main talking point, of course, will be O'Toole continuing his remarkable scoring run to keep Nomads on track for a swift return to the top flight.

NOMADS: Adam McGee, Tommy Baker, Ben Collins, Mark McGregor, Andy Alston, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie, Alan Hooley (Stuart Scheuber 73'), Gary O'Toole (Dean Thurston 82'), James McIntosh, Rob Jones.

Substitutes not used: Scott Baker, Danny Pinch, Ryan Jones.

Sent Off: Rob Jones 63'