Firth heroics hands Gibson impressive victory in first game in charge

Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads overcome TNS in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup after an epic penalty shootout marked the start of the competitive 2022/23 season.

Michael Wilde’s first half goal was cancelled out by Ryan Brobbel’s equaliser meaning the game went straight to penalties. Both sides had a series of misses with Nomads missing two match winning moments but Andy Firth’s heroics saw Ryan Harrington bury an unstoppable penalty, seeing Nomads through to the third round.


Nomads come into this game with some impressive pre season results against Cymru North opposition such as Ruthin Town, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. Nomads suffered only one pre season loss against Wingate and Finchley along with some draws against Nantwich and Runcorn Linnets which gave manager at the time Craig Harrison brilliant opportunities to inspect ahead of the new season. Nomads have recruited well during the summer adding a trio of Jon Rushton, Ben Nash and Callum Bratley which all came to Deeside from our rivals Flint Town. We have also made the signings of former Rangers Goalkeeper Andy Firth and Attacking dynamo Harry Franklin from Aberystwyth.

As for the visitors TNS, their title win last season led to another European campaign as the Welsh side looked to make history. However, a heartbreaking defeat to Linfield ended their UEFA Champions League hopes. Another tough European test v Vikingur Reykjavik awaited TNS but a first leg loss in Iceland ended their journey altogether, ultimately resulting in the departure of Anthony Limbrick.

Team News
Neil Gibson’s first starting eleven as Nomads manager saw a team with a great amount of experience with George Horan taking the captain’s armband along with starts for the five new summer signings of Firth, Nash, Wilde, Bratley and Franklin. There were also inclusions on the bench for youngsters Josh Williams, Jordan Pownall, Louis Holden and Jack Burman.

TNS chose a very attacking side as JD Welsh Cup final hero Jordan Williams led the line along with Ryan Brobbel, Josh Daniels, Danny Redmond and youngster Jake Canavan. Last season’s Cymru Premier top scorer Declan McManus was named on the bench.

The First Half
As we got underway, the first few minutes saw both sides enjoy spells of possession with Danny Holmes producing some superb defending to deny the TNS frontline. Meanwhile the first big chance for Nomads came from an Aron Williams cross which saw Aeron Edwards plant a header towards the far corner but it was narrowly over the top.

TNS continued to control the ball and looked the more dangerous side as a low ball came all the way through to Ryan Brobbel at the back post but a crucial back from Captain George Horan ensured the danger was cleared. Harry Franklin made his appearance known to the Deeside crowd as his fantastic creativity almost saw Nomads make the breakthrough. Franklin’s curling ball to Michael Wilde almost saw the Number 9 tap home but the ball was a little too pacy for Wilde.

Minutes later, Wilde got the perfect chance to open the scoring which he took comfortably as a corner from the right led to a goalmouth scramble, seeing Wilde the quickest to react and firing beyond Connor Roberts to make it 1-0 to Nomads.

TNS had a glorious opportunity to level things as Ryan Astles played a wicked through ball into Danny Redmond who fired back across goal for Ryan Brobbel but his contact wasn’t what he hoped for and Andy Firth could collect.

So Nomads went into the half time whistle with a 1-0 lead over the reigning JD Cymru Premier champions thanks to Michael Wilde’s close range finish.

The Second Half
TNS began the second half with a double substitution as they brought on the attacking duo of Declan McManus and Ben Clark for Josh Daniels and Jake Canavan.

Andy Firth was called into action again for Nomads as Jordan Williams struck towards goal following Danny Redmond’s low ball but Firth was alert and reacted well to hold on safely.

With around 25 minutes to go, Ryan Brobbel had another great chance to equalise for the away side but as he twisted and turned, his shot trickled wide of the post.

Brobbel was later denied by Andy Firth again as a deflected cross fell into the path of the forward but his poked effort saw Firth produce a phenomenal save with his body.

The high amounts of TNS pressure eventually paid off as Brobbel picked up the ball on the left before curling into the bottom corner to level the scoreline for the visitors.

The final five minutes witnessed an outstanding save from Andy Firth to Declan McManus. Last season’s Cymru Premier top scorer hammered the ball towards the bottom corner but wonderful reflexes from Firth stopped the ball from crossing the line, keeping the score level.

The dying stages of the match almost saw Deeside erupt as a corner landed in the path of Aeron Edwards but his half volley was saved by TNS Goalkeeper Connor Roberts.

The full time whistle was blown and both sides could not be separated after 90 minutes, so penalties would decide which side would progress.

The Penalty Shootout
TNS took first in the shootout with Ryan Brobbel stepping up first and ultimately causing the first slip up as his penalty flew over the bar. Nomads’ first penalty taker was no other than Callum Morris who made no mistake and calmly dispatched into the bottom corner.

Nomads were next to slip up as both George Horan and Michael Wilde had their penalties saved by Connor Roberts. TNS had the perfect chance to take a great advantage but Andy Firth made the diving save to keep Nomads alive.

Andy Firth then saved the fifth TNS penalty, meaning Aeron Edwards had the chance to win the tie for Nomads but was saved by Connor Roberts and so we went to sudden death.

The first slip up resulted in sudden death from Saints defender Keston Davies who repeated the outcome of his teammate Ryan Brobbel earlier penalty as Davies fired over. Up stepped Aron Williams to send Nomads through, however his shot also flew over the bar.

Nomads won the shootout at the third time of asking as Andy Firth denied Ben Clark so former Saint Ryan Harrington sealed the deal with a magnificent penalty into the top right corner.

A great result for Neil Gibson in his first game in charge and Nomads now await their third round fixture with the draw taking place on Thursday 11th August. Nomads’ next fixture is the opening day of the JD Cymru Premier as we travel to Cyncoed Campus to take on Cardiff Met with a 2:30pm kick off to be scheduled.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer