Nomads denied third successive MG Cup after Bala shootout loss

Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads miss out on a third consecutive Nathaniel MG Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Bala Town, in a dramatic game which included a straight red card for both teams.

Form
The Nomads came into this game having not played in two weeks with our last fixture seeing us progress into the Quarter Finals of the JD Welsh Cup with a 2-0 win over Llanelli. Just four days prior to our trip to Stebonheath Park, we faced today’s opponents Bala Town in the JD Cymru Premier where both sides shared the points in a goalless draw.

As for The Lakesiders, a 2-1 win over Pontypridd also saw Colin Caton’s side earn a place in the hat for the Welsh Cup Quarter Finals. Bala were stunned by Pontypridd in the Cymru Premier at the start of January which saw The Nomads open up a four point gap in second place.

Team News
Neil Gibson made just the one change to his side from two weeks ago as Aeron Edwards returned to the starting eleven to replace Paulo Mendes. The Nomads also welcomed back Harry Franklin to the matchday squad after returning from a nasty injury which kept him out of action for a month.

Colin Caton made two changes to his side with Alex Ramsay returning in between the sticks with former Welsh international David Edwards also coming back into the starting midfield.

The First Half
It took only three minutes for Michael Wilde to gain a sight of goal after Aeron Edwards’ cool header back into the box saw the striker go for goal in acrobatic fashion as his overhead kick looped over the top.

The Nomads were forced into an early substitution as Danny Holmes went down with a knock and after receiving treatment for a lengthy period, he was unable to continue and so on came Aron Williams to replace him.

Bala were then inches away from taking the lead on the 20 minute mark after Ben Nash’s pass was intercepted inside the area with the ball ending up at the feet of George Newell whose low drive struck the post, keeping the score goalless.

Nomads then began to grow more and more into the game and almost found the breakthrough after a corner was scrambled clear by Bala but only as far as Aeron Edwards who nodded the ball back into the box, seeing Jack Kenny send a flicked header goalwards which was whiskers wide.

Kenny posed a threat once more as he latched onto a through ball and raced into the area but just before Kenny could get his shot away, he appeared to be held back by the last defender, however referee Bryn Markham-Jones waved away the appeals and continued with play.

Just before we reached the end of the first half, Bala were reduced to ten men after Lassana Mendes appeared to have thrown the ball at a spectator on the near side giving the referee no choice but to show the attacking midfielder a straight red card.

There was a lengthy amount of stoppage time to be played following Danny Holmes’ injury earlier in the half and in the sixth minute of added time, a cross pulled back across the six yard box gave Michael Wilde a glorious opportunity to fire home but Alex Ramsay quickly reacted to Wilde’s powerful effort, making a vital save to keep things level.

The Second Half
The Nomads almost found the breakthrough at the start of the second half with an extraordinary strike from Callum Morris. Ryan Harrington teased his marker down the left and eventually spotted Morris lurking on the edge of the area, the midfielder then went for glory from long range but his shot was narrowly over the top.

Andy Firth was called into action following a swift attack from The Lakesiders. A long ball forward was taken down and fired back across goal which saw Captain Chris Venables slide in and try to find the target but Firth got down low and made a crucial save to deny Bala’s Number 9.

Both sides then made substitutions as The Nomads welcomed back Harry Franklin from injury as he took up Aeron Edwards’ place in midfield. Bala then looked to provide fresh legs up front with Adam Roscrow coming to replace Luke Wall.

For the next 10 minutes, the match turned into a cagey affair with both backlines working hard to clear a number of crosses as well as dealing with set pieces being delivered into the box. Bala’s George Newell sent a header on target but not enough pace on the shot meant Firth could easily collect.

The Nomads then made a double substitution as youngster Luca Hogan and striker Joe Malkin were introduced in place of Jack Kenny and Aron Williams.

The Nomads then found themselves down to ten men with around five minutes left to play. David Edwards closed down George Horan as he travelled into midfield with the ball, Horan then lunged in on Edwards, seeing the referee showed the red card to the Captain.

The final chance before the final whistle fell came from a corner cleared to the edge of the box where Kieran Smith went for goal with a spectacular volley which was always rising and out of play to take the game onto a penalty shootout following a goalless 90 minutes.

The Shootout
Bala stepped up to the plate first with Chris Venables slotting past Firth before a cool, calm and collected penalty from Callum Morris drew things level.

Former Welsh international David Edwards was next for Bala and Andy Firth was on point to guess correctly and make a brilliant save to deny Edwards. The Nomads had the chance to gain the advantage with Harry Franklin next up, however Bala goalkeeper Alex Ramsay denied the substitute, therefore we were still all square.

Both Adam Roscrow and John Disney converted their penalties with Antony Kay coming up to take Bala’s fourth. Kay’s penalty was a thunderous one which was fired into the roof of the net, leaving Firth no chance.

Joe Malkin stayed calm under pressure to emulate Antony Kay’s penalty, smashing his penalty into the top corner, meaning that we now reached a case of sudden death. Paul Rutherford was next for Bala and he was able to find the bottom corner, sending Firth the wrong way.

Michael Wilde then walked towards the spot, aiming to keep The Nomads in the game after five penalties. Wilde looked to place his penalty down the throat of the goal but Alex Ramsay comfortably saved to crown Bala Town Nathaniel MG Cup champions for the first time in their history.

Next Fixture
The Nomads now turn their attention to Tuesday Night where Neil Gibson and his side travel to Bridge Meadow to take on Haverfordwest, looking to return to winning ways and end Phase One of the JD Cymru Premier on good terms.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer