Nash nets brace as Nomads dispatch Archers to extend winning run

Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads grab their fourth consecutive league win with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Cardiff Met at The Essity Stadium thanks to a Ben Nash brace as well as goals from Jack Kenny and Mike Wilde.

Before his two goals, Ben Nash set up Jack Kenny for the opening goal in the 11th minute with a long ball which wasn’t dealt with by the away side, allowing Kenny to beat Met goalkeeper Alex Lang to the ball, eventually lobbing him to give Nomads a deserved lead. Ben Nash’s first of the afternoon came from John Disney’s corner as his powerful header proved to be too much for Met to clear off the line.

Substitute Mike Wilde made it three just minutes after entering the field and it was his fellow substitute Callum Morris who provided the assist. Morris’ short pass to Wilde allowed the striker to round Lang and tap home into an empty net. Deep into stoppage time, Ben Nash wrapped up all three points with almost the exact same routine for his first goal. Another delightful Disney corner saw Nash rise highest to prod the ball home from close range and give Nomads their fourth straight league win, maintaining the charge towards league leaders TNS.

Prior to today’s kick off, The Nomads’ record against Cardiff Met is probably one of the best to exist in the Cymru Premier record books. From 22 top flight games between the two clubs, Met have only ever won one game against The Nomads, that win being in August 2022. The Nomads have prevailed in 14 of those 22 games against The Archers with the remainder ending all square.

Form
The Nomads came into this game in stellar form. Since a disappointing loss to Bala at the end of August, Nomads recorded three consecutive victories against Newtown, Caernarfon and Barry with Nomads scoring 11 goals in those three games. Jordan Davies became the Cymru Premier’s top goalscorer last weekend with his epic double against Barry down in South Wales. The Nomads continue the charge towards the top of the table and have their eyes set on catching up to league leaders TNS.

As for Cardiff Met, just two goals conceded all season leave Ryan Jenkins’ side in a solid position. Four clean sheets from the first four games gave The Archers several positives to build on but a frustrating loss away to Newtown at the beginning of the month halted their unbeaten run but Met returned to winning ways last weekend with a comfortable 2-0 victory over fellow South Walians Pontypridd.

Team News
Last weekend’s victory was such a success that The Nomads starting eleven remained the same. Jordan Davies and Jack Kenny led the line with Noah Edwards and Harry Franklin sat in just behind. Ben Nash and Kai Edwards started their sixth consecutive game together as the centre back pairing. The seven substitutes also remained the same - Lawlor, Roberts, Stratulis, Morris, Wilde, Burman, J.Williams.

Cardiff Met made two changes to their starting eleven as Sam Jones’ suspension meant Evan Cadwallader came into the side. Met veteran Emlyn Lewis picked up a recent injury and so in came Joe Evans to take his place.

The First Half
The Nomads had the ball in the back of the net straight away as just a minute in, Jordan Davies set up Jack Kenny who rounded the goalkeeper and tapped home but the linesman’s flag on the near side was raised for offside as Davies was in an offside position before he chested the ball into Kenny.

However ten minutes later, Kenny was not to be denied again of the opening goal. Kenny gave chase to a Ben Nash long ball and swiftly outpaced his marker, Alex Lang came rushing off his goal line but Kenny’s delightful lob over the goalkeeper bounced into the net to give Nomads a deserved 1-0 lead.

There was almost a repeat of Jordan Davies’ goal against Barry last weekend as Aron Williams’ cross from the right found a lurking Davies whose thunderous header forced Lang into a fingertip save to prevent a second goal.

Nomads went close again and were dominating possession with Met yet to have a shot on goal. Another Aron Williams cross into Davies was cleared but only as far as Harry Franklin whose left footed strike was inches wide of the bottom corner.

The Nomads doubled their lead on the stroke of half time through Ben Nash. John Disney’s corner towards the back post was a dangerous one and with the numbers were queuing up, somebody was destined to pose a threat and Nash did just that, sending a powerful header past Lang which could not be cleared in time by the visitors amid a number of bodies on the line.

The Second Half
It was a somewhat quiet first opening 15 minutes of the second half but it was still Nomads who were on top and the afternoon remained a calm one for Jon Rushton in the Nomads goal. The first close opportunity of the second half came just before the hour mark as Jordan Davies stood over a free kick from around 25 yards out. The striker let fly, beat the wall but couldn’t beat Lang who made another stop.

John Disney nearly added a third goal in extraordinary fashion. The captain spotted Lang off his line by some distance and went for glory from the halfway line but unfortunately we weren’t to witness the spectacular as Lang tracked back to make the catch.

Ryan Harrington was so unlucky not to grab his first goal of the season as he was denied by the woodwork. Aron Williams’ low ball came back out to the full back who rifled his shot towards the bottom corner but the shot struck the woodwork and back out of play.

The Nomads then made a triple change within the space of five minutes as Mike Wilde, Callum Morris and Dan Roberts all replaced Jack Kenny, Aron Williams and Harry Franklin.

The Nomads all but confirmed the three points in the 85th minute as Mike Wilde made it 3-0. It was the two substitutes who combined for the goal as Callum Morris slipped in Mike Wilde who rounded Lang and slotted home with ease.

Deep into stoppage time, The Nomads added a fourth goal as Ben Nash secured his brace. A repeat of his first goal saw Disney’s corner towards the back post allow Nash to prod the ball into the back of the net from close range.

So The Nomads comfortably pick up a deserved three points over Cardiff Met who always prove to be a tough fixture for many sides in the league. Ben Nash undoubtedly stole the show with his two goals and his assist for Jack Kenny’s opener which therefore helps The Nomads strengthen their place in second, keeping up the chase towards league leaders TNS.

Next Fixture
The Nomads are back in action next weekend as we make our longest away trip down to Haverfordwest. Neil Gibson will be back on the touchline and will aim to make it five consecutive Cymru Premier victories. The match will take place at The Bridge Meadow Stadium on Saturday 23rd September with a 2:30pm scheduled kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer