Nomads keep up unbeaten Deeside run as Wilde scores in Ponty win

Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads return to winning ways in the Cymru Premier after a 1-0 victory over Pontypridd thanks to Mike Wilde’s first half header.

Danny Holmes set up Mike Wilde midway through the first half as the striker directed his header past Ashley Morris to secure all three points over Pontypridd in a very intense encounter on the visitors’ first ever trip to Deeside.

Form
Nomads came into this game having suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss against Aberystwyth a week ago at Park Avenue. However, in midweek, Nomads earned themselves a spot in the Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter Finals after Mike Hayes’ second half finish was enough to see off Holywell Town.

As for the away side, they clinched a vital three points against fellow strugglers Airbus after a late Danny Williams penalty handed the South Walians their second league win of the season. Pontypridd were also amongst the action in the Nathaniel MG Cup but suffered a surprising 2-0 loss to Cymru South side Afan Lido.

Team News
Tuesday’s hero Mike Hayes retained his place in the starting eleven where he was partnered by Michael Wilde as both forwards started together for the first time this season. There was a return to the squad for Kris Owens after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and also a return to goal for Andy Firth.

Ponty manager Andrew Stokes named a much changed side from their League Cup defeat to Afan Lido as first choice goalkeeper Ashley Morris returned. Ponty starman Danny Williams was also named up front alongside Kieran Lewis.

The First Half
Nomads made a bright start by delivering a series of long balls towards the duo of Mike Wilde and Mike Hayes with Ponty defender Jarrad Wright doing well to intercept Hayes at the crucial moment inside the area.

Joe Hunt found space on the left hand side before crossing into Ben Ahmun which saw Ben Nash make a superb headed clearance to avert the danger away from Andy Firth’s goal.

Michael Wilde put Nomads ahead after Danny Holmes picked up the ball on the right and delivered into Wilde who fantastically got in front of his marker to direct his header beyond Ponty keeper Ashley Morris, off the crossbar and over the goal line to make it 1-0.

Nomads began to ramp up the pressure on the Ponty defence as Ryan Harrington searched for Mike Hayes but the striker could not get high enough to connect with his header and the ball sailed on through to Mike Wilde but it was just behind the goalscorer.

Joe Hunt took on Danny Holmes down the byline which saw Hunt go to ground inside the area but referee Alex Livesey waved away the protests from the visitors and the scoreline remained 1-0 to Nomads.

Danny Holmes came inches away from grabbing another assist as he delivered into Mike Hayes who sent his looping header towards the top corner but Ashley Morris stayed calm and made the catch.

The Second Half
Ponty had a great chance to test Firth early in the second half as Luke Cummings’ low cross put Ben Nash under pressure, seeing Danny Williams intercept Nash but before the Ponty forward could get his strike away, the centre half recovered and made an important tackle.

Jarrad Wright received a yellow card for a foul out wide on the right, giving Ryan Stratulis the chance to deliver into the box. Stratulis swung his cross towards the back post and found an unmarked George Horan but Ashley Morris rushed out to distract Horan and the ball spun wide for a goal kick.

Ponty swarmed the referee in appeal for a penalty once more as Kieran Lewis’ free kick on the edge of the area deflected off Ryan Stratulis, seeing the referee wave away shouts for a handball.

With 20 minutes to go, Neil Gibson made his first change of the afternoon which saw the return of Kris Owens as he came on for Danny Holmes. Owens came on for his first Cymru Premier appearance since April in a 3-0 win over Haverfordwest.

Joe Hunt came close to equalising for Ponty as he drove forward and fired a powerful strike from distance towards the near post but the crossbar denied the winger and Nomads hammered clear.

Just moments later, down the other end, Nomads were to be denied by the woodwork twice as Mike Hayes placed a low ball into the path of Mike Wilde who could not convert from close range, the ball bounced up into the air for Paulo Mendes but his header was tipped onto the bar by Morris. The ball rebounded back for Wilde but his effort also smashed the crossbar and somehow it remained 1-0.

Nomads made their second substitution as Callum Morris came on for the final 15 minutes in place of Josh Williams who was on a yellow card. Ryan Stratulis was quick to launch a counter attack but had to go alone, seeing Jarrad Wright make the interception inside the area.

Mike Wilde had the ball in the back of the net after heading home from Kris Owens’ pinpoint cross but the linesman’s flag on the near side was raised for offside.

Ponty were looking strong in the final few minutes as they searched for their equaliser but were yet to heavily test Firth. Substitute Lewys Twamley cut inside onto his left foot and aimed for the top corner but his shot was always rising and flew over the bar.

After an intense period of stoppage time, Nomads were able to see the pressure out as the full time whistle blew, meaning Mike Wilde’s header was enough for another three points at Deeside.

Nomads now put their focus onto next Tuesday where they will travel to The Oval to take on Caernarfon in the JD Cymru Premier with a 7:45pm Kick Off.

Match Report by Adam Angerer