Nomads celebrate Youth in league cup victory at Rhyl

Match Report by Trevor Green.

Nomads progressed into the last eight of theWord Cup, with an excellent win at Belle Vue on Tuesday night. On an evening of torrential rain and with most of North Wales under flood water, the hosts had done a magnificent job in preparing a fine surface that allowed both sides to play neat passing football.

Rhyl should follow us back into the Welsh Premier League this year, and with facilities of this standard they will be most welcome. Mark had one eye on Fridays clash at Prestatyn and rested seven first team starters, bringing in four under 19’s.

We started with the wind at our backs and played the ball around well when we had it, pressing hard when we didn’t. On eight minutes, Dean Canning got onto a Rob Jones pass and saw his shot pushed around the post. On 14 minutes, the Lilywhites weren’t so fortunate. A careless pass let in Rhys Healey who took it on, drew Mainwaring and scored. His long throws were causing mayhem in the home defence and from one, Danny Dobbins headed just over. Next, Canning saw another good chance go wide when well placed. As the half closed, a couple of good Rhyl breaks down the right saw snapshots pushed out by Callum Hawthorne.

If our youngsters are considered still to be maturing, then they haven’t far to go. Shaun Tinsley and Ryan Edwards were excellent; Jordon Beck was always willing and looked comfortable. Rhys was probably the dominant player on the pitch. Quite an astounding first half show, but more was to come in a second that Nomads dominated.

Five minutes in, a Rob Jones pass was headed down near to Rhys in the box. His lightening fast turn and fierce shot cannoned back into play from the cross bar. Then a moment that had Academy Director Jay Catton purring. Our second goal was contrived by the four youth stars. Shaun Tinsley won the ball, Ryan Edwards took it on and found Rhys Healey, who then sent Jordan Beck wide to float a cross come shot, over Mainwaring and in. It was the Wales under 18 players’ first senior goal.

Our third goal was reminiscent of Maradona v England in the 1986 World Cup. Rhys Healey ran from deep on the right. He waltzed past a couple of defenders and went on, and on, and on. Tackles were flying in and grabs were made at his shirt, but his run continued across the areas edge. Then he ran through more tackles, drew the keeper and scored. It was quite a wonderful goal. The game was done and Mark sent on Ricky and Gary for a run out.

Rhyl didn’t drop heads and although restricted to long shots by very good defending, they managed to squeeze one home when ex Bala forward Steve Lewis saw his shot from the areas edge power past the defence and elude Callum’s dive. It was just consolation though. A great performance by the Nomads in so many ways.