Nomads outclassed by Saints

Watched by Deeside Stadiums biggest crowd of the season (428), with an attendance swelled by Nomads Academy players and parents, battling Nomads could not stop the defending champions from returning to top spot as the Saints produced a classy display to move back above Bangor City at the summit.

In this live S4C TV clash, the full-timers were faster out of the traps and Michael Wilde should have given them a ninth-minute lead when he outmuscled Mark McGregor to go one-on-one with Nomads keeper John Rushton, but he screwed his shot wide.

The Saints early dominance was rewarded in the 15th minute, when Chris Seargeant's teasing cross was headed into his own net by Danny Dobbins, whilst under pressure from Steve Evans.

Nomads had two great chances to go level before the break and both fell to Dean Canning. The striker saw a sharp turn and shot saved by Paul Harrison before he raced on to a superb through pass from Ricky Evans and fired straight at the former Liverpool youth team goalkeeper.

Saints made Nomads pay in the second half, when Wilde headed in a decisive 65th-minute goal at the far post from another excellent Seargeant delivery.

Nomads keeper John Rushton did well to deny both Kai Edwards and Aeron Edwards in quick succession, but he was unable to prevent Aeron Edwards putting the game beyond the Nomads reach four minutes from time, with a cool lob into the top corner.

The Saints were put under late pressure by Nomads during injury-time and in a flurry of goalmouth activity, Nomads snatched a consolation goal through Michael Robinson who crashed home a volley from close range, just after Saints’ Simon Spender had gone close to heading an own goal.

Nomads can take positives that this spirited performance showed a considerable improvement from our defeat at Prestatyn. But in the end, we were outclassed by a fitter and faster full time Saints outfit who on this sort of form, look well capable of retaining their Welsh Premier League title.

Match Photos