Nomads win at a canter

Strange game this. The surface at the Oval looked fantastic a really good covering of lush well cut grass, but both sides struggled to move the ball over it. In the first half Nomads scored three without really having too much attacking dominance. In the second half in which wave after wave of visiting attacks pounded the host’s goal we didn’t score.

Make no mistake Caernarfon are a decent side that would do well in The Cymru Alliance but in this game they never threatened a goal and were made to work hard for the meagre possession we allowed them. Nomads made and missed a series of chances throughout the afternoon, but all three goals were gifts from defensive howlers from The Cofis.

We took the lead in the third minute when the home keeper seemed ready to clear a hasty back pass, however the ball bobbled over his feet and Gary O’Toole won the race to net. We kept the ball on the big pitch drawing Caernarfon players all over the place chasing our quick short passes, but when we went forward the final ball didn’t stick. Caernarfon were starting to get a foothold through Ex Llandudno player Garmey, ex-Conwy man Sinnott and the vastly experienced ex Port Talbot, Bangor and Haverfordwest man Neil Thomas in a midfield that few will cope with at their level. John Rushton had seen some of the ball even if it was only collecting over hit crosses or fielding back passes.

Then we won a 26th minute free kick 30 yards out. Rob Jones effort was a dipping shot of real power but should have been easily collected by the keeper. However, he allowed the ball to bounce off his parry and the top spin saw it curve back and into the net. Again we were content to pass the ball around without an end product. Caernarfon tried to hit long each time they won the ball but foundered on a dominant defensive display, from Danny Dobbins in particular who won every header.

On the half hour Owain Gwynedd broke clear and hit a shot across John that our keeper had well covered. With five minutes to go to the break a defender took possession at the areas edge and with only Gary closing him down he slipped. Gary O’Toole took the ball round the keeper and walked it into the net finishing with a celebratory thump into the back of the goal.

We moved up a gear in the second half and put in a series of attacks featuring Jamie Petrie, Rhys Healey and Ricky Evans. We worked the defence who did very well to clear cross after cross, our trialist keeper was a spectator. Rhys missed the chance to set up Dean Canning, Ricky saw two efforts blocked and Rob Jones put one high and wide. It was pipe and slippers stuff for our defenders apart from a brief period which saw Caernarfon get two successive corners easily defended.

We nearly had a fourth when Ricky played several short return passes but saw his shot come back from the inside of the post. Next we did net and a good goal it was too, a bending effort round the keeper, pity about the offside flag. As we moved to the finish there was a certain frustration creeping in as constant dominance failed to produce a final product.

We nearly had a magic ending though. Alan Hooley always does well and he usually raids strongly, but I don’t think I can remember him scoring in the five years I’ve followed the club. Today he burst through and steadied himself. Could this be the moment? No he grazed the top of the bar!!!

First Half Nomads: Rushton, Alston, Hooley, McGregor, Dobbins, C Jones, Petrie, Forde, O’Toole, Canning, R Jones.

Second Half Nomads: Trialst, Alston, Hooley, McGregor, Dobbins, C Jones, Petrie, Rowntree, Healy, Evans, R Jones.

Match Photos