Nash and Malkin headers send Nomads into Welsh Cup quarter finals

Saturday evening saw The Nomads return to winning ways by reaching the JD Welsh Cup quarter finals after a 2-0 win over Llanelli thanks to goals from Ben Nash and Joe Malkin and a crucial penalty save from Andy Firth.

Form
The Nomads came into this game on the back of three consecutive goalless draws against Flint, Newtown and Bala in the JD Cymru Premier. The Nomads have however continued their unbeaten streak which reached a total of 21 games after today’s victory. The Nomads have also been busy in the transfer market with Dan Roberts and Jack Kenny both returning to join up with Neil Gibson.

As for Llanelli, three wins from their last three JD Cymru South matches has seen Lee John’s side climb to third in the table and begin the push for promotion. Llanelli did the double over Taffs Well as well as clinching a 1-0 win over Cambrian and Clydach Vale to apply pressure onto Barry Town at the top of the table.

Team News
Neil Gibson made just the one change for this evening’s cup tie as Danny Holmes returned from injury to make his way into the defence with Aron Williams named on the bench.

Lee John made two changes to his Llanelli side as Adam Robbins replaced the absent Elijah Phipps with James Parry coming into the starting eleven in place of Keane Watts, who dropped to the bench.

The First Half
The Nomads were quick off the blocks to test Llanelli at the back as Danny Holmes’ long throw into the box sailed through a number of bodies before reaching Jack Kenny at the back post who managed to fire his shot on target but a diving save from Llanelli goalkeeper Scott Coughlin denied the striker of the opening goal.

The home side nearly took the lead with their first real chance of the match and it almost came through a wonder strike from their Captain Josef Hopkins. The striker dispossessed Paulo Mendes in a dangerous area and let fly from around 20 yards out, however his effort was inches over the top.

The Nomads made the breakthrough on the half hour mark as Josh Williams’ pinpoint delivery was met by an unmarked Ben Nash who made no mistake from close range, sending an accurately placed header into the bottom corner beyond Coughlin to make it 1-0.

Llanelli had another opportunity to find the net from outside the area as George Horan conceded a free kick in a shooting position. Ryan Bevan stepped up and took the free kick but his effort flew over the bar.

The Nomads came agonisingly close to making it 2-0 just three minutes before half time as another superb Danny Holmes cross reached Michael Wilde inside the box who looked to use his knee to direct the ball past Coughlin but the goalkeeper held on to deny the striker.

The Second Half
The start of the second half nearly saw The Nomads double their lead as Danny Holmes posed a threat down the right hand side yet again. The defender skipped past his man and fired a square ball across the face of goal, in search of Michael Wilde but the ball just averted the Number 9 of a tap-in for 2-0.

As we neared the 60th minute, The Nomads almost found the net in bizarre fashion with John Disney’s cross into Ben Nash causing confusion again for the Llanelli backline, the ball ricocheted off the defender and almost took the ball beyond Coughlin but the goalkeeper remained calm to make the stop.

Llanelli were then awarded a penalty ten minutes later as Tom Hillman was brought down by John Disney inside the area, seeing the referee point to the spot. Josef Hopkins stepped up and had his penalty saved by Andy Firth with a diving save down to his left, denying the Llanelli captain and keeping The Nomads in the lead.

The Nomads then made a double change as Aeron Edwards came on to replace Paulo Mendes whilst Joe Malkin came on for Jack Kenny.

Just seconds after coming on as a substitute, Joe Malkin made it 2-0 to The Nomads as Josh Williams grabbed his second assist of the evening. Williams’ cross was met by Malkin at the front post, seeing the forward send a terrific header past Coughlin and put Nomads in a comfortable position with around ten minutes to go.

Llanelli were unable to stage a late comeback, meaning those goals from Ben Nash and Joe Malkin as well as a vital penalty save from Andy Firth gives The Nomads a space in the hat for the quarter finals of the JD Welsh Cup.

Next Fixture
The Nomads now return to league action with another trip down to South Wales next Saturday as the test of Haverfordwest awaits at Bridge Meadow in the final game of Phase One in the JD Cymru Premier. The Nomads will be looking to follow up on this evening’s victory and head into the Nathaniel MG Cup Final in full confidence.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer