Pinto's first Nomads goals secure semi final spot

Tuesday night saw The Nomads reach the semi finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup after a 2-0 win over Ruthin Town thanks to an Anderson Pinto brace.

Anderson Pinto’s 11th minute strike gave Nomads an important early lead but throughout the half, Joe Malkin and Mike Hayes both had fantastic chances to extend the advantage, however Ruthin were able to keep Nomads at bay. The dying seconds saw Nomads secure their semi final spot as substitute Ryan Stratulis spotted Pinto in space before the midfielder found the bottom corner with the last kick of the game.

Form
The Nomads came into this game in tremendous form having been on the winning side in their previous six matches. Nomads sit second in the Cymru Premier with last weekend’s victory over Cardiff Met giving Neil Gibson promising hopes of pursuing a top six finish come the end of Phase One. Nomads also recently progressed to the third round of the JD Welsh Cup after putting five past Denbigh Town a couple of weeks ago.

Tonight’s visitors Ruthin Town were reinstated into this quarter final clash after Flint Town were found to have breached a competition rule. Since then, Phil Hudson’s side have gone on to win their last three fixtures with league victories over Mold and Chirk seeing them climb up to seventh place in the Cymru North. Just like Nomads, Ruthin also made it to the next round of the Welsh Cup, overcoming Rhyl ten days ago.

Team News
Neil Gibson made a number of changes to his starting eleven with Jon Rushton replacing Andy Firth in goal. Josh Williams, Joe Malkin and Mike Hayes were also named amongst the starters as well as Anderson Pinto who made his return after picking up an unfortunate injury last month. The Nomads bench featured the four academy players of Joe Lawlor, Jordan Pownall, Louis Holden and Luca Hogan.

Phil Hudson made two changes from his side’s Welsh Cup win as Joe Sullivan and Ilan Hughes came back into the team with their replacements Josh Jones and Dafydd Evans both dropping to the bench.

The First Half
Nomads were eager to get an early goal and almost got their reward inside the first five minutes as Joe Malkin got into a great position on two occasions but he was unable to keep either of his headers on target and Ruthin survived.

Ruthin goalkeeper Daniel Goldston was tested for the first time as a Danny Holmes cross from the right was met by Mike Hayes who flicked his header towards goal, however Goldston was alert and caught safely.

Nomads hit the front in the 11th minute as Anderson Pinto grabbed his first Nomads goal. With space down the left, Ryan Harrington assessed his options and pulled back to Pinto who had time to pick his spot and find the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Joe Malkin came close to doubling Nomads’ lead as Mike Hayes found the striker inside the area before Malkin turned and fired towards goal only to be denied by a crucial block, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.

Ruthin had their first shot on goal after Captain Osian Davies received the ball about 25 yards from goal and went for glory but Jon Rushton was more than alert to the danger, making a comfortable save to his right.

Paulo Mendes skillfully escaped his marker in midfield and played a ball over to Ryan Harrington who put a quality cross towards the back post but nobody was there to get the final touch and Ruthin were able to make an important clearance.

The Second Half
Nomads nearly had a great sight of goal as John Disney’s long ball from defence was controlled well by Joe Malkin who steadied himself and looked to square to Mike Hayes but the defender recovered in time to intercept Malkin and clear the danger.

Straight away at the other end, Owain Morris broke free of Ryan Harrington inside the final third and aimed to play a through ball into Gwion Owen but his pass was too heavy for the number 10 to reach.

Mike Hayes almost struck gold as he received and turned inside the area following Anderson Pinto’s pass, Hayes went for the near post but another block frustrated Nomads.

Pinto was causing a major threat to the Ruthin defence once again as this time he slipped in Paulo Mendes with only the goalkeeper to beat, Mendes tried to round the keeper but was unlucky in his attempt as Goldston made the save to deny him.

Moments later, Josh Williams’ wide free kick crossed towards Joe Malkin saw the striker head downwards, in pursuit of the bottom corner but he was narrowly off target.

Nomads then made their first change of the night as Ryan Stratulis came on for Callum Bratley. Ruthin made two substitutions with Charlie Williams and Josh Jones coming on for Osian Davies and Sam Jones.

Stratulis was called into some defensive duties as Joe Sullivan’s free kick was crossed low into the six yard box but Stratulis was there to instantly stick a leg out and intercept the attack, retrieving possession back for his side.

Anderson Pinto got beyond his man and delivered from the right hand side leading to a goalmouth scramble involving Mike Hayes and Joe Malkin. The ball bounced around inside the area before it came to Malkin who was unable to find the back of the net from close range. Nomads then introduced two academy stars as Jordan Pownall and Luca Hogan entered the pitch in place of Hayes and Malkin.

Deep into stoppage time, Nomads ensured the semi final spot was secured as Anderson Pinto clinched his second of the evening. Ryan Stratulis burst down the right and found Pinto around twelve yards out before the goalscorer fired low and hard into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

Next Fixture
Nomads now turn their attention to next Saturday afternoon where they will make the long trip down to Bridgend to take on Penybont in what is sure to be a real test for both sides in the JD Cymru Premier. The match will take place 22nd October with a scheduled 2:30pm kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer