Perfect Paulo gives Nomads another vital victory to maintain unbeaten run

Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads secure a 1-0 victory against Haverfordwest at Deeside Stadium in the JD Cymru Premier.

• The Nomads hosted Haverfordwest in the 17th round of fixtures in the JD Cymru Premier
• Haverfordwest suffered two early injuries forcing them to use their substitutes
• Paulo Mendes was on target early in the second half to give Nomads the lead
• Nomads secure three points despite Haverfordwest pressure in the latter stages

The Nomads came into this fixture with form which has them unbeaten in their last ten matches. This includes a staggering 4-1 victory over Bala in the cup and an impressive win against Aberystwyth over the past month. However, a draw against Cardiff Met left them frustrated and with a task ahead of their top six push.

Today's opponents, Haverfordwest have not had the best run of form as they are winless in their last five. Draws against Bala and Barry and heavy defeats to TNS and Flint leaves them with a lot of work to do at the bottom of the table.

The first real action of the game came in the fourth minute as Haverfordwest earned themselves a free kick on the edge of the box but Elliot Scotcher's effort smacked the woodwork and eventually The Nomads cleared.

Ryan Harrington then sprung into action down the right as he delivered a series of crosses but Nomads forwards Craig Curran and Jamie Insall, who returned to the starting eleven, could not get their efforts on goal.

Haverfordwest were then forced to make an early sub as Alaric Jones had to come off for Kurtis Rees. This was shortly followed by Aron Williams bursting down the right hand side but his cross towards the back post was caught by Haverfordwest keeper Lee Idzi.

Haverfordwest then had another injury and had to make their second substitute of the afternoon. This saw Mason-Jones Thomas suffer what looked like a groin injury, coming off for Alhagi Sisay.

Nomads then had their first close chance of the game as a long throw-in taken by Aron Williams fell to Declan Poole but his wicked half volley was slightly over the bar.

The 29th minute saw Haverfordwest look to counter attack as they intercepted Nomads deep into the final third. They played a long ball up to Ricky Watts but Ryan Harrington was there to see the danger away and regain possession for Nomads.

Harrington then was on the attacking side of things as he won a long ball that was launched into the box but as his header fell to Aron Williams, Williams' curled effort flew over the top.

Another close chance came for Nomads in the 39th minute as Craig Curran eventually got on the end of a long ball and he then set himself nicely for a volley but his fierce shot flew past the post.

Aron Williams beat his man down the right again and delivered a cross which resulted in a shot on target from Paulo Mendes but Lee Idzi was there to deny him of the opener.

This was then the final action of the first half and both teams went into the break goalless and with Nomads evidently on top, they still had work to do in order to get the opener.

As we got back underway in the second half, Nomads were quick off the blocks to maintain the pressure they put on Haverfordwest as they dominated possession in the early stages and were playing the ball nicely around the final third.

This pressure eventually paid off in the 53rd minute as Declan Poole teased his marker with fabulous skill to deliver a low cross into Jamie Insall and as the ball was slightly behind Insall, there was Paulo Mendes to perfectly compose a calm finish into the bottom corner to give Nomads a well deserved lead.

Nomads continued to dominate possession and were stopping all possible danger and threats posed by Haverfordwest over the next 15 minutes. There were hardly any big chances but Nomads were resuming with their delightful passing.

The first sub of the afternoon for Nomads came in the 76th minute as Aron Williams picked up a slight knock and so Craig Harrison would not take any risks. Therefore, off came Williams and on came the magnificent Jamie Mullan. This was followed by another Nomads sub which saw Jay Owen come on for Jamie Insall.

As we reached the additional five added minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half, Declan Poole crossed from the right into Craig Curran but Curran did not get the contact he wanted and the ball flashed across the six yard box.

This was the last action of the match and The Nomads had completed the task they were set out to do and the difference at full time was the calm and composed move finished off by Paulo Mendes to hand Nomads all three points which may prove essential to their top six push for the season.

The Nomads' next league game is a huge one as they travel down to the Essity Stadium to take on Flint Town in the Deeside Derby. The last time these two sides met was in the cup with Nomads securing a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Jamie Insall and Jamie Mullan. This league game takes place on Boxing Day with a scheduled 2:30pm kick off taking place.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer