Nomads edge out Mountain in seven goal second half

Wednesday night saw an entertaining second half of football as The Nomads ran out 4-3 victors over Flint Mountain at the Essity Stadium.

Neil Gibson gave starts to new signings Ben Maher and Elliott Dugan with the returning Anderson Pinto also in the stating eleven. Youngsters Lucas Gregson and Jack Burman also featured from the start.

The Nomads dominated much of the first half - the first serios chance falling to Jack Kenny, who headed and Aron Williams cross onto the post - Elliott Dugan scrambled to reach the rebound but was denied at close range by the Flint Mountain goalkeeper.

A few minutes later and Dan Roberts this time forced another good save from the young goalkeeper as his powerful header from a Callum Bratley corner was pushed wide.

Elliott Dugan would then have a fine chance inside the penalty area as Declan Poole laid the ball off to the unmarked Dugan only to see his close range effort denied by the Mountain 'keeper once again - the save saw the ball rebound to Jack Burman on the edge of the box but his left footed effort flew wide of the goal.

Flint Mountain would have a couple of speculative chances in the half as Mike Hayes would fire over from the edge of the box and Jack Sconce provided some neat wing play before firing wide towards the end of the half.

At half time, Neil Gibson would make three changes as he introduced Luca Hogan, Jordan Pownall and A Trialist in place of Aron Williams, Jack Burman and Callum Bratley.

It was a lightning start in the second half for Nomads as almost straight from the kick off, Declan Poole raced down the right wing to slot the ball beyond the goalkeeper making it 1-0 within 60 seconds of the restart.

It was youngster Lucas Gregson who would be next on the scoresheet for The Nomads as Anderson Pinto was fouled on the right wing - Ben Maher would deliver a floated cross to the back post and Gregson would charge in unmarked at the back post to double The Nomads' advantage.

A few minutes later and it was 3-0 - this time it was Gregson's defensive partner Dan Roberts who smartly volleyed back across goal underneath the goalkeeper to extend The Nomads' advantage.

With around 20 minutes left, Nomads would make it 4-0 as the ball fell to Jack Kenny inside the box and he calmly slotted the ball in to confirm The Nomads' dominance in the game.

With around 10 minutes to go, Neil Gibson replace Declan Poole with Jack Burman and Jack Kenny with Tyler Berry, but it would be Mountain making a comeback that would frustrate The Nomads in the dying embers of the game.

First Jon Rushton would make a smart save with his legs as a Mountain striker raced through on goal, but he would be left helpless as the rebound fell to Jack Sconce who would loft the ball over the stranded Rushton to make it 4-1.

One last change came for The Nomads as Rushton would be replaced in goal by Academy goalkeeper Ryley Berry.

In the first minute of being on the pitch Berry would make a fine low stop only to see his save rebound off the shins of Dan Roberts into his own net to make the scores 4-2, and a minute later it was 4-3 as Jack Sconce scored his brace for the evening with an impressive long range lob on the young 'keeper.

Mountain would be handed the opportunity to draw level in the last minute of the game through a penalty, but Berry would dive low to his left to deny the Mountain penalty and keep the scores at 4-3 in an exciting yet frustrating end to the game for The Nomads.

Our preparations continue in the coming days before the squad head to Slovenia next week to face NK Bravo in the UEFA Conference League.

A big thank you to Flint Mountain for the competitive game and good luck for the upcoming season in the JD Cymru North.

Match Photos

Match Report by Nik Mesney