Hayes nets on Deeside return as Nomads see off Penybont

Saturday afternoon saw Nomads capture a 2-0 victory against Penybont in the fifth round of fixtures in the JD Cymru Premier thanks to goals from George Horan and Mike Hayes.

A brilliant corner from Ryan Stratulis saw George Horan head home at the back post before deadline day signing Mike Hayes marked his return to Deeside with a clinical second half finish with Stratulis grabbing another assist.

Form
The Nomads have started the new season with two wins and two losses and it is safe to say that after a frustrating loss on the opening day to Cardiff Met, a spirited performance against TNS and a hard fought victory over Bala thanks to Ryan Stratulis’ stunner has certainly gave Neil Gibson a lot of positive signs moving forward.

As for the visitors Penybont, their impressive start to the season has seen Rhys Griffiths’ side pick up wins over Bala, Flint and Haverfordwest with their only loss coming to TNS after a late Ryan Brobbel winner.

Team News
Nomads made one change from their victory over Bala with winning goalscorer Ryan Stratulis keeping his place in the starting eleven. Aeron Edwards made his return from injury as he replaced the absent Callum Bratley in midfield. Nomads’ deadline day signings Mike Hayes and Anderson Pinto were named on the bench as well as academy stars Josh Williams, Josh Watkin and Louis Holden.

Penybont made two changes from their 3-2 victory over Haverfordwest in midweek as Kostya Georgievsky replaced the injured Rhys Kavanagh. There was also a return to the squad for Mael Davies who made his first start of the season.

The First Half
Penybont almost made the perfect start as Kostya Georgievsky’s curling effort was narrowly over the top from just inside the area. The forward almost came close again just minutes later as Nathan Wood’s cross from the left reached Georgievsky but the pass was too high and our for a goal kick.

Nomads began to apply pressure to the Bont backline as a corner laid off to Ryan Stratulis saw the midfielder curl towards the back post but too much weight on his effort didn’t trouble Kelland Absalom. Aron Williams then came forward and let fly, looking for the near post but his effort was always rising and the scoreline remained 0-0.

Nathan Wood then delivered a dangerous low ball into the path of Kostya Georgievsky but the attacker was denied at the last second after Ryan Harrington superbly made the sliding challenge.

Minutes later, Nomads had the ball in the back of the net after Paulo Mendes fired home beyond Absalom but the ball was out of play on the touchline from Ryan Harrington’s ball back across goal.

Nomads took the lead around ten minutes before the half time whistle as Ryan Stratulis’ in-swinging corner towards the back post was met by Captain George Horan who placed his header into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

The lead was almost doubled just moments after the opening goal as another corner fell to Aeron Edwards who had his shot saved by Absalom but the goalkeeper could only parry his save into the path of Ryan Harrington whose low drive was a whisker away from creeping into the bottom corner.

The Second Half
The first big chance of the second half fell to the visitors as an in-swinging corner was headed back down into the feet of Nathan Wood who blazed over the bar from close range.

Nomads made their first substitution of the afternoon as Nomads were delighted to give Mike Hayes a warm welcome back to Deeside for his third spell at the club as he replaced Aeron Edwards.

Ryan Stratulis almost made it two goals in two games as he came agonisingly close to scoring another stunner. Stratulis drove forward from the right hand side and struck a powerful effort which was well saved by Absalom.

Penybont midfielder Kai Whitmore combined well with his teammate Sam Snaith in the final third and struck goalwards but his effort was caught well by Andy Firth.

After a solid spell of Penybont possession, Nomads managed to launch a counter attack led by Ryan Stratulis who decided to go alone and force a good save from Absalom to keep it 1-0.

Another chance went begging for Penybont as Kane Owen’s corner found the unmarked Kostya Georgievsky who was unable to hit the target with his header from extremely close range.

Nomads made it 2-0 with around 15 minutes to go as Ryan Stratulis played Mike Hayes through on goal and the returning forward made no mistake in his attempt and slotted beyond Absalom and into the bottom corner to double the advantage.

Anderson Pinto, Nomads’ other deadline day signing was also brought onto the field in place of Ryan Stratulis who tops off a perfect week having scored the winner against Bala in midweek and grabbing two assists this afternoon.

Nomads were now enjoying their football in the final and were almost rewarded as minutes into his first competitive appearance, Pinto almost had his dream debut goal as his long range effort was tipped away by Absalom.

With three minutes plus stoppage time to go, Penybont substitute Tom Tweedy set his sights on goal before lining up a half volley but could not keep his shot down and his shot sailed over Andy Firth’s goal.

Penybont were unable to trouble Nomads in the dying stages as Nomads ensured the ball was kept in the midfield and final third which led to the full time whistle from Mark Petch, meaning Nomads picked up two vital wins and two clean sheets in the Cymru Premier to top off an incredible week.

Nomads’ next fixture sees a trip to Latham Park to take on Newtown in the Cymru Premier on Saturday 11th September with a scheduled 2:30pm kick off.

Match Report by Adam Angerer