Nomads see out pre-season with goalless draw

Saturday evening saw The Nomads complete our pre-season schedule with a 0-0 draw against Runcorn Linnets.

It was the first time that the two sides had ever met and was played out in front of a crowd of 227 at The Apec Taxis Stadium in Runcorn.

Craig Harrison had to shuffle his pack somewhat with the experienced pair of George Horan and John Disney unavailable, whilst also starting a trialist who featured in the match against Wingate and Finchley the week prior for another look. Joe Malkin also returned to the bench having been out with a dead leg since the friendly at Holywell Town.

Early on, The Nomads were nearly given a fortunate lead as a backpass evaded the Linnets' goalkeeper, only to run about a foot wide of his post to spare his blushes. Mike Wilde would rise highest at the resulting corner and was unlucky not to head The Nomads ahead with only five minutes on the clock.

At the other end, Runcorn were awarded a free kick when Danny Holmes was seemingly fouled before giving away a foul himself, but the inswinging free kick was easily dealt with by 17 year-old Louis Holden who was making his first start for the first team at right back. A few minutes later the Runcorn number 11 found himself unmarked in The Nomads' box but fired wide without troubling Andy Firth in The Nomads' goal.

After these two half-chances for the Linnets, The Nomads would take control of the remainder of the half and were disappointed not to go in at half time in front. Harry Franklin and Ryan Harrington both saw efforts from the edge of the box saved before Harrington turned provider - firstly, he picked out Wilde who knocked the ball down to Franklin whose snapshot was blocked en-route to goal.

A few miutes later and there was a goalmouth scramble which saw a few blocks in front of the Linnets goal before Callum Bratley calmly regained the loose ball on the edge of the box, picking out Wilde who was backpedalling and could only head over the bar.

Harrington again caused trouble down the left wing, this time sending a floated ball into the box which Mike Wilde got on the end of, only to see his header go agonisingly wide by a matter of inches.

Craig Harrison made one change at half time with Joe Malkin replacing the trialist on the right wing and the side came out with the same effort that they had finished the first half, looking to make the breakthrough. Again, Bratley was the instigator as he picked up the ball some 30 yards from goal, played a neat one-two with Harry Franklin before creating the space to take a right footed shot at the Linnets' goal which was saved by Taberner. Bratley would continue his impressive performance and nearly providied an assist for Mike Wilde who got on the end of his through ball just in front of Taberner, only to see his header skew wide of the target whilst under pressure from the onrushing goalkeeper.

Runcorn rarely attacked The Nomads goal in the second half and the only moment they did have saw a ball cleared from inside the six yard box by Danny Holmes, but it was his central defending partner Ben Nash who would be creating the next opportunities for The Nomads at the other end.

Having played out from the back, Nash would link up down the left wing before making his way into the box with just under ten minutes to go - his left-footed attempt was blocked and diverted up over the goalkeeper and landed on the roof of the net - from the resulting corner, Nash would beat the defence to the ball, only to see his headed effort again deflect up over the bar.

Runcorn would finish the game with their first corner of the game, but it was headed comfortably wide as the referee blew the full time whistle on our pre-season preparations.

We return to competitive action next Saturday as we host The New Saints in the Second Round of the Nathaniel MG Cup at Deeside Stadium with a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Nik Mesney