Davies and Bratley net screamers as Nomads overcome battling Bay

Tuesday night saw The Nomads earn their sixth consecutive JD Cymru Premier victory against a battling Colwyn Bay side. Jordan Davies and Callum Bratley’s stunners proved decisive to earn Nomads another vital three points.

Following a goalless first half, The Nomads knew they needed something special to break through the Bay defence and a moment of brilliance from Jordan Davies certainly silenced a number of Bay fans as he struck gold with a superb free kick from the edge of the box. Bay equaliser shortly after through a deflected Udoyen Akpan effort but Callum Bratley restored The Nomads’ lead with another screamer from around 30 yards out, the goalkeeper got a hand to it but simply couldn’t deal with the power of Bratley’s strike and this goal proved to be the winner as Nomads saw out the final stages of the match to pick up their sixth consecutive league victory, maintaining pressure on league leaders The New Saints.

Form
The Nomads came into this game with the best form out of any team in the JD Cymru Premier. Maximum points from their last five games has seen Neil Gibson’s side climb into second, just two points adrift of leaders TNS. Just over a week ago, The Nomads blew away Cardiff Met with another ruthless goalscoring display as Ben Nash’s double along with goals from Jack Kenny and Mike Wilde secured a famous win over The Archers. Three days ago, The Nomads shone again on the road, overcoming the longest away trip in the book, away to Haverfordwest. Ben Nash continued his fine form with the opening goal before Harry Franklin’s strike and Ryan Stratulis’ halfway line stunner claimed a fifth consecutive victory.

As for Colwyn Bay, two crucial victories over Penybont and Aberystwyth lifted The Seagulls out of the relegation zone. Bay were unable to keep up their winning run last weekend as a spirited Newtown side came away 4-2 victors. Steve Evans’ outlet still sit above the drop zone but a consistent run of results would certainly help them push towards a top six spot.

Team News
Neil Gibson named an unchanged starting eleven for the fourth consecutive game and the choice certainly can’t be questioned with Nomads in a rich vein of form. Jack Kenny and Jordan Davies continued to lead the line with Harry Franklin sitting just behind in attacking midfield. Ben Nash partnered Kai Edwards at the back with his brother, Noah Edwards in midfield along with Callum Bratley and Captain John Disney. Ryan Harrington continued at left back with Aron Williams on the opposite side. Jon Rushton was named in between the sticks as Andy Firth remained out with injury.

Steve Evans made three changes to his side that lost out to Newtown last weekend as new signing Brandon Diau, along with Cai Owen and Sam Hart all came into the team to replace the trio of Jamie Cumming, Dan Jones and Guto Williams who all dropped to the bench.

The First Half
The first chance of the match fell to Harry Franklin who forced Bay goalkeeper Alfie Brooks into an early save. The attacker turned his marker after bringing down Ryan Harrington’s throw-in and let fly towards the near post but Brooks was alert and denied Franklin of the opener.

Bay had their first shot on target in the 8th minute as a deflected cross fell into the path of former Nomad Danny Holmes whose strike from distance was comfortably saved by Jon Rushton.

The Nomads were finding it tough to get in behind the Bay defence. The possession was there but creating chances seemed to be a slight problem with the only opportunity falling to Jordan Davies whose driven shot was blocked on the edge of the area.

The Nomads made a 27th minute substitution as Dan Roberts replaced Kai Edwards in defence.

Harry Franklin had the best chance of the first half just seconds later as another pinpoint Ryan Harrington cross found its way through a number of bodies before reaching Franklin 10 yards from goal but somehow the No.12 was unable to rip the net open as he blazed over the bar to his dismay.

The Nomads were denied by the woodwork as we neared the half time whistle. In what would have been one of the goals of the season, Noah Edwards drove into the final third and went for goal with a left footed strike, Edwards’ shot beat Brooks but luckily for the visitors, the woodwork came to their rescue and Edwards was denied.

Bay thought they were destined to go ahead in the 40th minute as Nick Rushton’s low ball trickled all the way to the back post but the pace of the ball caused confusion for Udoyen Akpan who was unable to turn home into an empty net as the ball went all the way out for a throw-in.

The end of the first half saw one of the most bizarre moments of the season. Noah Edwards was denied by the same left hand side post once again with a low effort and The Nomads were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty kick after John Disney was brought down by Sam Hart on the follow up. The referee gave the free kick to Colwyn Bay after deeming Disney to have dived in the area, the captain was already on a yellow card and several Bay players, staff and fans protested the referee’s decision not to give Disney a second yellow card since the free kick stood. Many of the 555 spectators claimed that the decision should either be a penalty or a second yellow card, neither were given, the scoreline remained goalless and both sides still had their eleven players on the field.

The Second Half
Franklin was again causing problems for Bay on the attack and he nearly found the opener in some style. Franklin shifted onto his favoured right foot and looked to pick out the top right hand corner, however his effort was narrowly wide.

Jordan Davies conjured up a moment of brilliance on the hour mark to put Nomads ahead. Davies stood over a free kick from just outside the area and curled his shot past the wall, beyond Brooks and into the bottom corner, a free kick not many goalkeepers would be able to save. Jordan Davies now moves further ahead as the current Cymru Premier top goalscorer on 7 goals.

Franklin had yet another attempt kept out by Brooks as his curling shot looked to be flying into the top corner but Brooks produced a fingertip save to keep his side in the game.

Jordan Davies’ opener was cancelled out just four minutes later as Bay found themselves level. A long throw-in on the left hand side led to a goalmouth scramble before the ball ricocheted back out to an unmarked Udoyen Akpan whose low effort deflected off the leg of John Disney and beyond Rushton.

Bay weren't level for long as The Nomads retook the lead through a magical Callum Bratley strike. John Disney’s short pass into the feet of Bratley allowed the midfielder to shape onto his right foot and fire a thunderous strike into the back of the net, Brooks got a hand to the ball but simply couldn’t deal with the amount of power Bratley got behind his shot.

The Nomads then made a double change as both Callum Morris and Mike Wilde were introduced in place of Aron Williams and Jack Kenny. Bay also made two changes in the latter stages of the match as Dan Jones and Dylan Allshorn replaced Cai Owen and Tommy Creamer.

Bay searched for a late equaliser but The Nomads were just too strong with their defensive work and hold up play, seeing out late pressure from the away side until the final whistle to give The Nomads a sixth successive victory in the JD Cymru Premier. The Nomads cement their place in second for the time being and look to close the gap to league leaders The New Saints.

Next Fixture
The Nomads return to action at the weekend for another JD Cymru Premier clash. This time, Penybont make the long trip up north to The Essity Stadium in a live Sgorio fixture. The match will kick off at the later time of 5:15pm on Saturday 30th September.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer