Last minute penalty drama robs Nomads

The Nomads came away empty handed, but with their heads held high after giving Bangor a run for their money in a very entertaining game. In the end a penalty awarded 30 seconds into stoppage time, gave Bangor the opportunity to claim the 3 points when it looked as though the game would end as a draw.

It took time for the Nomads to settle into the game and there were signs of vervousness from a number of players, as they tried to adapt to the pace of the WPL against a highly rated Bangor side. The pitch looked to be in perfect order for the Nomads’ passing style of play, but Bangor came straight at the Nomads and John Rushton was forced into his first save as early as the 4th minute. With Nomads still adapting to the pace of the game, Bangor took an early lead in the 9th minute when Chris Simm scored with a simple tap-in, after the Bangor left back had forced a very good blocking save from John Rushton.

The Nomads continued to soak up the pressure as Bangor pushed forward, but by continuing to play their passing football style, the Nomads started to move the action into the Bangor half. A good break by Danny Forde in the 17th minute, was followed by a near miss by Ricky Evans from a Tigger free kick in the 25th minute. The game was becoming more end to end and the Nomads were showing their determination to get themselves back into the game. 

Nomads hard work was rewarded in the 42nd minute when Dean Canning equalized.  The goal came after a superb crossfield pass from Ricky Evans to Alan Hooley.  A quick pass movement between Hooley and Michael Thomson,  saw a low cross from Hooley fall into the path of Dean Canning ,who converted our first league goal of the season. The first half ended with the Nomads almost scoring a second goal, as Michael Thomson shot narrowly wide.

The second half started with a near miss from Bangor in the 47th minute, but quickly the game reverted to end to end moves, as both sides looked to take control of the game. The weather then took its turn to affect the game as it started to rain – very heavily at times. Bangor had a penalty appeal turned down in the 58th minute and then in the 62nd minute Dean Canning hit a superb shot from all of 30 yards, which hit the crossbar and bounced over with the Bangor keeper well beaten. This stunned Bangor into action and the Nomads then had a spell of defending against a sustained period of pressure with John Rushton again doing well.

The Nomads came back into attacking mode and a long crossfield ball from Danny Forde, saw Jamie Petrie make a good run down the right resulting in a corner.  Another run by Petrie, saw him shoot over the goal. Gary O’Toole replaced Michael Thomson in the 72nd minute and was harshly booked by the referee in his first action. Bangor were getting frustrated by the way the game was going and made two substitutions in the 74th minute. However, the Nomads continued to threaten with a break by Jamie Petrie and Dean Canning and then Gary O’Toole was just offside from an excellent pass from Tigger.

The remainder of the game saw Bangor still pressing and Nomads looking for an opportunity to get a winner on the break. The Nomads defence was playing very well with Michael Robinson, Danny Dobbins, Alan Hooley and Mark McGregor, coping well with the lively Bangor forwards led by Les Davies. The Nomads then went close from a speculative 35 yard shot by Jamie Petrie in the 82nd minute and from a free kick in the 86th minute, which was scrambled over the bar by the Bangor defence.

As full-time approached with the fourth official showing 3 added minutes, disaster struck for the Nomads, as a ball into the penalty area shot up off the wet surface and struck Alan Hooley’s hand. Not a deliberate handball, but the referee awarded a penalty. Dave Morley stepped up and drove comfortably past John Rushton.

With only a couple of minutes left the Nomads put Rhys Healey on in place of Dean Canning but the game ended with no further chances for the Nomads to pull a goal back.

An excellent performance by the Nomads once they got over their initial nervousness. They showed they can compete at this level and they must have impressed the Bangor fans with the style of football they played.

Very good support from the junior section of the Nomads’ supporters, who stood behind the Bangor goal through a very heavy rain storm in the second half and kept their support going right to the end. A good entertaining game played in a good spirit.  Surprisingly, the referee chose to book 4 Nomads players, Jamie Petrie, Tigger, Ricky Evans and Gary O’Toole. At least two of the bookings looked very harsh.

Match Photos