Vauxhall Motors no match for Nomads as Macca gets a brace

The Motormens team sheet confirmed a full first team side, including new signings Michael Burns, Callum Henry and former AFC Fylde man, Zac Jones in goal.  Nomads were also at full strength, with just long term injury duo Jack Rowlands and Michael Robinson missing.

Playing into a stiff wind, the Nomads were on the offensive from the off. With Ricky Evans sending Gary O’Toole in on goal  after only two minutes, Gary curled a beauty round Jones but the ball hit the post. Next, Ricky set up Rob Jones for a well struck shot that the keeper did well to save. Ex Nomads trialist Chris Noone showed well for the visitors wide on the right and got free to hit a shot wide and high. However, possession was all with the Nomads.

Vauxhall had a near escape on 12 minutes, when a Rob Jones cross was spooned goalwards by defender Mahon and just landed wide of the post. The reprieve was brief though, because in the 14th minute the big men rose to meet Ricky Evans flag kick and the ball eluded them all for Craig Jones to head in at the far post. The Motormen couldn't cope with our pace down the flanks from Rob and Jamie, but they defended well though, as you would expect a Conference side to do and chances were few at either end for the rest of the first half.

With the wind at our backs in the second half, Nomads pushed on again, looking the much better side. Half time substitute Dean Canning (on for Gary O’Toole) shot straight at the keeper before we increased our lead on 53 minutes. Alan Hooley forced a corner which Ricky floated in for Mark McGregor  to head home.

Both sides then made a raft of changes. Nomads sent on Rhys Healey, Danny Forde, Shaun Tinsley, and a Trialist to replace Alan Hooley, Jamie Petrie, Chris Rowntree and Ricky Evans. Vauxhall replaced Wainwright, Dames, Fearnehough, Manix and Rutter with Egerton, Webb, Banks, Robertson and Roberts. The game continued to be one of swift Nomads attacks forcing some good Vauhall defending, particularly from the ex Forrest Green man Henry, who looks to be a good signing.

Canning set up Healey for a shot hit wide and then Healey failed to keep down a glorious chance, sending his 1 on 1 shot over the bar. Nomads left sided defender trialist was showing up well, when Rob Jones stretched into a tackle and a nasty injury saw him carried off on a stretcher, with a long deep gash to his knee. George Baxter replaced him.

As we re-organised, Vauxhall had their best spell of the game. First Breen ran in and put a shot against the post, then on 74 minutes, Mahon caused trouble with his pace and control and was awarded a penalty when Ben Alston handled as Mahon tried to slip past him. Motorman Mike Banks took the penalty, but our trialist keeper guessed right and palmed the spot kick onto the post and away.

Vauxhall pushed forward as the game neared its end, but as often happens when sides change shape, they were punished. On 83 mins, a good deep cross from our trialist bobbled in the area and Mark McGregor was on hand to put it in the back of the net. The evening was finally wrapped up with a fine goal on 87 minutes when Rhys Healey ran into the box and sent a good pass to Dean Canning who netted comfortably.

Our sternest test had been passed easily, but cost us a key player. We hear that Rob Jones is likely to be out for over a month with his injury, so all of us at Nomads send Rob our best wishes.

Nomads Squad

John Rushton, Ben Alston, Alan Hooley, Mark McGregor, Dean Canning, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie, Danny Forde, Gary O’Toole, Ricky Evans, Robert Jones, Chris   Rowntree, Rhys Healey, Jordan Beck, Danny Dobbins, Shaun Tinsley, George Baxter, Trialist, Trialist.