Late Wilde winner gives Nomads hard-fought win at Penybont

Michael Wilde scored a dramatic late winner to give The Nomads all three points against Penybont at the SDM Glass Stadium in the final JD Cymru Premier fixture of Phase One.

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Aron Williams delivered an inviting ball into the area, and onto the head of Wilde, who perfectly planted his effort beyond Bont goalkeeper Archie Matthews.

Declan Poole received a red card deep into stoppage time, meaning he will miss the first match of Phase Two, but the most important thing is three points for The Nomads, and a brilliant boost ahead of Phase Two, where the club aims to secure European football once again.

Neil Gibson made two changes to the side that lost out to The New Saints on New Year’s Eve as Jack Kenny and Kai Edwards returned to replace Callum Morris and Dan Roberts. Luca Hogan also returned to the bench after being recalled from his loan spell with Aberystwyth Town during midweek.

The First Half
The first piece of action saw Bont midfielder Shaun McDonald receive an early yellow card for a rash challenge in midfield.

The hosts also created the first real chance of the game as Kane Owen’s delivery found the head of Mael Davies, but the defender was unable to find the target.

Nomads manager Neil Gibson was then shown two yellow cards in quick succession on the touchline by referee Huw Jones, meaning he was dismissed to the stands for the rest of the match.

Jack Kenny nearly marked his return to the squad with a goal from a well-worked passing move. Declan Poole was released down the byline by Harry Franklin, and Poole’s low ball into Kenny’s feet almost found its way into the bottom corner, but Matthews was there to make the stop.

The Nomads thought they should have had a penalty in the 35th minute, but the referee deemed the foul to be outside of the area. Nomads went short from the resulting free kick, but no effort was able to test Archie Matthews.

The best chance of the half fell to Bont’s Keyon Reffell, who was unable to steer home Mael Davies’ cross from the right hand side as both sides went into the break goalless.

The Second Half
Bont had two glorious chances to take the lead at the start of the second half as Mael Davies’ cross from the right travelled all the way through to Lewys Ware, who was denied by an outstanding acrobatic save from Andy Firth. Lewis Harling looked to head home the rebound, but John Disney was on the line to make the clearance and keep the clean sheet intact.

Eliot Richards and Harry Franklin both received yellow cards before Bont made three changes, which saw Richards taken off as a precaution. The midfielder, along with Lewys Ware and Dan Jefferies were replaced by Billy Borge, Ryan Reynolds and Henri Jones.

Substitute Ryan Reynolds almost made the most of his first opportunity on goal as his powerful strike forced Andy Firth into a superb diving save.

Bont’s Lewis Harling was next to go into the book whereas The Nomads made their first substitutions of the evening - Michael Wilde and Aron Williams replacing Jack Kenny and Josh Williams.

Those substitutes turned out to perfection as both Williams and Wilde combined for the opening goal. Williams’ delightful cross was met by the darting run of Wilde, who sent one of his trademark headers into the back of the net, leaving goalkeeper Archie Matthews no chance.

Wilde nearly grabbed his second of the evening just moments after he found the breakthrough. Harry Franklin’s low ball back across goal was controlled just a tad too heavily by Wilde, which allowed Matthews to rush off his line and distract the striker.

The Nomads were a goal up, but were a man down as we entered stoppage time. Declan Poole received two yellow cards in the space of four minutes, and he was therefore given his marching orders.

Luckily, Poole’s dismissal didn’t affect the scoreline as The Nomads end Phase One with a brilliant three points to move ten points clear in second place - a place which automatically secured European football, so Neil Gibson’s side will be hoping for performances in Phase Two, just like they produced in Phase One.

What’s next?
The Nomads now await the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference fixture schedule for Phase Two as the club eye European football once again.

The Nomads also have a JD Welsh Cup Quarter-Final to look forward to in the coming weeks as we travel to JD Cymru North side Buckley Town on 17th February.

Match Report by Adam Angerer