Nomads impress in capital with convincing win over Archers

The Nomads returned to winning ways in the JD Cymru Premier with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus on Saturday afternoon.

First half headers from Josh Williams and Jordan Davies gave The Nomads comfort at the break before Michael Wilde marked his return from injury with a late goal to secure all three points, which The Nomads took back to North Wales as Neil Gibson’s side all but confirmed a second place finish.

Team News
With a European place confirmed, The Nomads had every right to try new things as we reach the latter stages of the season. There were four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Newtown on Good Friday as Luca Hogan made his first ever league start for The Nomads. John Disney, Dan Roberts and Aron Williams all returned to the starting eleven as the trio replaced Ben Nash, Callum Bratley and the suspended Noah Edwards.

Callum Jenkins replaced Tom Price as Cardiff Met manager Ryan Jenkins made just one change from his side’s 6-2 JD Welsh Cup Semi-Final loss to The New Saints - a result which confirmed The Nomads’ place in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifying Rounds.

The First Half
There were no early chances at Cyncoed Campus, but there were substitutions to report as Met striker Lewis Rees suffered a nasty injury, meaning he was replaced by Haben Samson.

After The Nomads dealt with a series of Met corners, they went straight up the other end and broke the deadlock through Josh Williams, who replicated last season’s achievement of scoring in this fixture.

Declan Poole’s initial effort was blocked by Kyle McCarthy, but the ball was crossed back into the area by Aron Williams, which allowed Josh Williams to head home into the top corner from close range.

The Nomads continued to pose a threat, and were rewarded with a second goal on the stroke of half time as Jordan Davies bagged his 19th league goal of the season. Another sublime cross on the right hand slide from Aron Williams found the head of Davies, who guided his effort into the bottom corner to make it two.

Josh Williams nearly bagged himself a brace in first half stoppage time as his strike from distance flew inches wide of Alex Lang’s far post. However, his and Jordan Davies’ earlier goals meant The Nomads went into the break with a fully deserved two-goal lead.

The Second Half
Moments after Archers defender Kyle McCarthy was booked for a dangerous foul on Luca Hogan, goalscorers Williams and Davies almost combined for The Nomads’ third goal. Williams’ teasing ball was met by Davies, but Lang was able to produce a fingertip save.

The Nomads made their first change of the afternoon just after the hour mark as Harry Franklin replaced Luca Hogan, who can certainly be proud of his performance on his first league start for the club.

That substitution was quickly followed by two more as Aron Williams and Jack Kenny made way for Callum Bratley and Michael Wilde, who made his return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Wilde didn’t take long to make an impact as he added a third for The Nomads in the 86th minute. Fellow substitute Harry Franklin fired a low ball into the path of Wilde, and the striker simply couldn’t miss from around six yards out.

Youngster Jack Burman was introduced for a small cameo as we entered stoppage time. He replaced first goalscorer Josh Williams, but the change proved to be the last action of the half as the referee blew for full time.

The Nomads all but confirm a second-placed finish with a stellar performance in the capital. The victory marked The Nomads’ third clean sheet in a row as Neil Gibson’s side ended their four-match winless streak in the league.

Next Fixture
The Nomads welcome Bala Town to The Essity Stadium on Friday April 12 in the club’s final home game of the season. Bala will have to defeat both The New Saints and The Nomads within the space of three days to have any chance of climbing the table.

Although The Nomads defeated Bala in the JD Welsh Cup Semi-Final this season and although their position in second may be locked in by Friday, The Nomads will still be seeking revenge on the Lakeisders having not beaten them in the JD Cymru Premier this season.

Friday’s match at The Essity Stadium will kick off at 7:45pm.

Match Report by Adam Angerer