Nomads boost European hopes with victory over Archers

Saturday night saw Ben Nash’s strike and Tom Price’s own goal seal an important victory for The Nomads in their pursuit of yet another European campaign.

Josh Williams’ curling delivery was turned home at the back post by Ben Nash, who wore the captains armband in place of the injured John Disney. Williams grabbed his second assist of the evening as The Nomads doubled their lead at the start of the second half. The midfielder’s corner was turned into his own net by Met’s Tom Price at the front post.

Lewis Rees halved the deficit for the visitors, who pushed heavily for a late equaliser, but in the end, it was The Nomads who narrowly prevailed to maintain their 13-point lead in second place as another European journey beckons.

Team News
Neil Gibson had every reason to name an unchanged starting eleven from The Nomads’ epic 4-1 Welsh Cup Quarter-Final win over Buckley Town last weekend.

Noah Edwards made his 175th JD Cymru Premier appearance whereas fellow midfielder Josh Williams started his 60th senior game for The Nomads.

Youngsters Jack Burman, Luca Hogan, Lucas Gregson and Mason Parry were all named on the bench.

The First Half
Met had a few early chances to open the scoring at The Essity Stadium. Joe Evans’ teasing delivery sailed through a number of bodies having just needed one slight touch to turn it goalwards. Eliot Evans then fired narrowly over the bar with his audacious attempt from the edge of the area.

Alex Lang nearly gifted Nomads the breakthrough as his tame pass fell straight to Jack Kenny, but the Met goalkeeper redeemed himself by diving down low to save Kenny’s low drive.

The Nomads came even closer to taking the lead as Josh Williams’ corner found the head of Ben Nash, whose looping header rattled the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

The Williams to Nash combination was denied a first time, but it wasn’t to be denied at the second time of asking as Nash headed Nomads ahead in the 33rd minute.

Williams’ curling delivery from a wide free kick sailed all the way through to the back post where Nash steered the ball home beyond Lang from close range for his sixth goal of the season.

Met had one slight opportunity to draw level just before half time as Dixon Kabongo’s long ball found the darting run of Emlyn Lewis, but the defender’s volley didn’t faze Andy Firth, who made a comfortable save in the final action of the first half.

The Second Half
A blazing start to the second half from The Nomads was rewarded with a second goal of the evening. Josh Williams got his second assist of the match as his corner from the left hand side was headed into his own net by Met midfielder Tom Price. A good piece of fortune, but still a massive moment in our pursuit of European competition.

Harry Franklin probably should have added a third goal for The Nomads in the 53rd minute. Ryan Harrington spotted the attacking midfielder in acres of space, allowing Franklin to race through on goal, but he opted to cut onto his left foot instead of firing directly at Lang and in doing so, he allowed the Met defence to track back and make a last-ditch clearance.

Ben Nash almost doubled up for the night midway through the second half. The defender was left unmarked from Williams’ corner, but his downwards header was cleared off the line by Matt Chubb.

The Nomads made two changes with 20 minutes to go as Luca Hogan and Eddie Clarke replaced Jack Kenny and Declan Poole.

The Archers were handed a lifeline in the 74th minute as Lewis Rees halved the deficit. Matt Chubb spotted Rees with his low ball and the Met striker was able to find the bottom corner via a deflection off Ben Nash.

The tension rose as we reached the final ten minutes of play. Jordan Davies and Met’s Joe Evans were booked for rash challenges as Nomads did all they could to try and hold out for all three points.

CJ Craven, who wasn’t picked up on the right hand side of the area, spurned a glorious opportunity to draw his side level as his chipped effort across goal trickled wide of the target.

The Met man held his head in his hands before receiving a yellow card moments later for a late challenge on Jordan Davies.

Davies then missed another great chance to restore the two-goal cushion. Franklin slipped the striker through on goal, he only had Lang to beat, but blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Despite a dubious decision from the fourth official to declare an additional six minutes of stoppage time, The Nomads defended brilliantly to secure a crucial three points and continue their unbeaten start to Phase Two.

The Nomads remain 13 points clear in second place in the Championship Conference, and could potentially secure a place in Europe in the next few weeks.

Next Fixture
The Nomads are back in action next Friday night with a tough trip away to third-placed Bala Town. Three points for Neil Gibson’s side would see them go 16 points clear in second place with just six games remaining.

Friday's match will take place at Maes Tegid with a scheduled 7:45pm kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer