Nomads move within a point of European Qualification after edging past Bala

Friday night saw The Nomads move within just one point of European Qualification after clinching an important victory against Bala Town in the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference at Maes Tegid.

Harry Franklin opened the scoring midway through the first half after heading home from John Disney’s cross. George Newell levelled things instantly for The Lakesiders before George Horan popped up with a header which found it’s way through a number of bodies and eventually beat Alex Ramsay. Horan’s goal proved to be decisive as a goalless second half meant The Nomads held on to claim all three points and move within one point of European Qualification.

Form
The Nomads came into this game undefeated in Phase Two so far and recent results have taken Nomads one step closer to the all important European places. A 1-1 draw away to fellow European challengers Penybont kept up the unbeaten run before Nomads played out a goalless draw with The New Saints to stop the eventual league champions from scoring inside 90 minutes for just the second time this season. Last weekend, The Nomads earned a giant three points against Newtown thanks to goals from Callum Morris and Jack Kenny which puts Nomads in a strong position as they look to hold onto second place.

Bala were without a win in the first six games of Phase Two having drawn on four occasions and losing twice which leaves them with a mighty task if Colin Caton’s side were to make Europe via the Cymru Premier. However, Bala have a JD Welsh Cup Final to look forward to and a victory over opponents TNS at Nantporth would mean Bala head to Europe for the ninth time in their history.

Team News
Neil Gibson made two changes to the side that beat Newtown at Deeside last Friday as Aron Williams returned from a slight injury to make his way back into the starting eleven along with Ryan Harrington who dropped into defence. Jack Kenny led the frontline having scored in four out of his last eight games and also scoring against Bala the last two times the sides have faced each other.

Colin Caton made just the one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Penybont last weekend as first choice goalkeeper Alex Ramsay replaced youngster Harri Lloyd in between the sticks.

The First Half
It was a very end to end encounter in the opening ten minutes with The Nomads coming closest. Ryan Harrington’s inviting ball into Jack Kenny at the front saw the striker look to beat Alex Ramsay with an acrobatic attempt but Kenny did not get the connection he wanted and the danger was cleared.

Lassana Mendes was already causing problems down the right hand side and nearly found the ultimate reward. The pacy Bala attacker cut inside onto his left foot and looked to curl one into the bottom corner past Firth but a vital block in the area from Ben Nash brought the attack to a halt.

Aron Williams then almost caught out Alex Ramsay with a header from inside the box. Ben Nash nodded the ball back across goal and into the path of Williams whose header almost crept into the bottom corner but his effort was inches past the post.

Nomads went ahead in the 25th minute through Harry Franklin. A brilliant passing move eventually saw John Disney find space for a cross on the right which was met by Franklin and the attacker leaped highest to send a powerful header past Ramsay, leaving the Bala goalkeeper no chance.

However, celebrations were cut short as just one minute later, Bala found themselves level. The ball was played out wide to Lassana Mendes who delivered the ball into the box and George Newell was there to nod home from close range.

The game now really started to spark into life as The Nomads came extremely close to retaking the lead. Ryan Harrington’s darting run down the left saw him get beyond Ollie Shannon and fire a low left footed drive goalwards which beat Alex Ramsay but was cleared off the line by Nathan Peate to keep things level.

The Nomads weren’t to be denied for much longer as just three minutes before half time, George Horan restored the lead. Josh Williams’ inswinging corner found Horan at the back post whose header towards the far post took a deflection off Nathan Burke and nestled into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

The Second Half
It took ten minutes for the first major opportunity to appear at the start of the second half and it was a glorious one for Jack Kenny to double the advantage. Harry Franklin’s through ball caused confusion for Bala’s Ross White at the back and Kenny closed him down and stole the ball to race through on goal but his effort inside the area was stopped by Alex Ramsay.

On the hour mark, Kenny had another chance to make it three for Nomads as Harry Franklin was once again amongst the action, sending a wicked ball into Kenny at the front post and the striker looked to stab the ball on target but his attempt went way over the top.

The Nomads then came even closer to extending their lead as this time they were denied by the woodwork. John Disney’s corner from the right was met by the head of Ben Nash who sent a looping header goalwards, almost catching out Alex Ramsay but the header smacked the crossbar and went behind.

Nomads continued to be the more creative of the two sides and the same combination nearly struck for the third of the evening with Disney crossing into Nash at the back post, however the cross was just a little too high for Nash to latch onto.

Bala then spurned a gilt-edged chance to equalise for the second time of the evening. Lassana Mendes’ floating cross into Antony Kay left the Bala defender with a free header from around 8 yards out but he could only head wide of the target.

The final whistle was blown by referee Tom Owen, meaning The Nomads were able to hold on for a memorable away day victory which now sends Neil Gibson’s side just one point from sealing a European spot in second place in the Cymru Premier.

Following Friday's results elsewhere in the Cymru Premier, The Nomads are now guaranteed a top 3 finish and if they were to drop down to third, Nomads would have to await the result of the JD Welsh Cup Final between TNS and Bala coming up at the end of April.

Next Fixture
The Nomads can confirm their place in Europe next weekend when they travel to Cyncoed Campus to take on Cardiff Met. This was Neil Gibson’s first league game in charge of Nomads which came in a 2-0 loss so Gibson and Nomads will be looking for revenge on The Archers and aim to secure a spot in Europe.

The match will take place on Saturday 8th April with a 2:30pm scheduled kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer