Nomads mark 1000th Cymru Premier game with Newtown victory

Late strikes from Callum Morris and Jordan Davies secured a 2-1 over Newtown at Latham Park to give The Nomads Boxing Day delight in the club’s 1000th Cymru Premier fixture.

After a hard-fought and intense battle throughout, it was a piece of good fortune that gave Nomads the breakthrough as Ryan Harrington’s cross from the left deflected into the path of Callum Morris, who slotted home.

Jordan Davies added a second after finishing off Harrington’s pinpoint through ball. Ryan Sears halved the deficit for The Robins in the sixth minute of added time, but it was too little too late as The Nomads continue the chase towards top spot.

Neil Gibson stuck with the same starting eleven that defeated Pontypridd 3-1 ten days ago.

The First Half
There were early penalty appeals from The Nomads as Harry Franklin went to ground following an aerial duel with Dom Smith, but the referee waved away the claims. Neil Gibson received a yellow card for dissent over the decision.

After Ryan Harrington and Jack Kenny were also shown yellow cards, the first real chance of the game fell to Jordan Davies, who controlled John Disney’s long ball but couldn’t find the target despite not being closed down quickly.

Davies had another opportunity to put Nomads into the lead as he latched onto Harry Franklin’s through ball, but the angle proved to be too tight as the No.10 dragged his effort wide of the target.

The Nomads were being frustrated by the Newtown defence as Declan Poole’s delivery led to blocked efforts from Harry Franklin and Callum Morris just before the break.

The Second Half
Newtown picked up their first booking at the beginning of the second half as Shane Sutton brought down Jack Kenny on the counter attack. The resulting free kick saw the ball fall out to Noah Edwards, who was unable to test Alex Wycherley with his audacious volley.

Newtown’s best chance of the game fell to Louis Robles, whose powerful strike forced a reflex save from Andy Firth.

The Nomads then made two changes in the space of ten minutes as Michael Wilde and Josh Williams replaced Jack Kenny and Noah Edwards.

The Nomads hit the front in the 85th minute thanks to Callum Morris. The Robins failed to clear Ryan Harrington’s cross and the ball fell kindly into the path of Morris, who simply couldn’t miss from just a few yards out.

In the second minute of stoppage time, The Nomads doubled their lead to all but confirm their three points. Harrington was involved once more as his sublime ball over the top released Jordan Davies through on goal as we have seen time and time this season, the striker showed composure by slotting through the legs of Wycherley to send players, fans and staff into pure jubilation.

Davies’ goal now sees him go level at the top of the JD Cymru Premier goalscoring chart with Newtown striker Aaron Williams, who was absent from today’s game through injury.

There was a slight scare in the dying stages of the match when Ryan Sears headed home from Callum Roberts’ delivery to half the deficit for The Robins, but ultimately the damage was already done as The Nomads marked their 1000th Cymru Premier game in style.

The result also means The Nomads remain in second and go a healthy eleven points clear of Newtown in third with Chris Hughes’ side having a game in hand.

Next Fixture The top two square off on New Year’s Eve as The Nomads host league leaders The New Saints at The Essity Stadium. Nomads will be looking for a crucial three points to extend their lead in second place and also close the gap to Saints at the top of the table. Sunday’s match has a scheduled kick off time of 2:30pm.

Match Report by Adam Angerer