Late pressure not enough against Cofis

It was a frustrating evening on Saturday for The Nomads as Caernarfon Town ran out 3-1 victors at The Oval in the JD Cymru Premier.

It was a bright start from Billy Paynter’s side, but first-half goals from Paulo Mendes and Darren Thomas, followed by Zack Clarke’s early strike in the second period, gave the Cofis daylight.

John Disney gave The Nomads a lifeline as he calmly converted the penalty spot, but it was simply too late to stage a comeback.

Team News
There were three changes from our 1-1 draw with Newtown last Tuesday as Ben Nash and Chris Marriott returned to the lineup, replacing teenager Dan Flanders and the injured Dan Roberts. Fumpa Mwandwe also came back into the starting side, while Ben Maher, who was celebrating his 29th birthday, returned to the bench following a short absence.

Caernarfon manager Richard Davies made two changes from his side’s 2-1 victory at Flint Town United on Wednesday as Morgan Owen and first-choice captain Darren Thomas replaced Adam Davies and Joe Faux, who both dropped to the bench.

First Half
The Nomads looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the early stages of the match as they forced Caernarfon into some vital interceptions from a series of low crosses.

However, the Cofis were also enjoying spells of their own at the other end as Ben Nash made two superb blocks to deny Zack Clarke a sight of goal. Jon Rushton also came into action as he produced a fine save to deny Darren Thomas from the edge of the area.

Caernarfon hit the front with 19 minutes on the clock through former Nomad Paulo Mendes. Kai Edwards made a sliding challenge to block a pass from Clarke into Louis Lloyd, but Mendes was first to the loose ball and found the bottom corner with his low drive.

Caernarfon were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty following a challenge from Kai Edwards on Thomas just after the half hour mark, but the referee instantly waved away the appeals and showed a yellow card to Thomas for simulation.

The Nomads came close to an equaliser as Rhys Hughes’ deflected cross nearly outwitted Stephen McMullan at the front post, but the Caernarfon goalkeeper was able to hold on. Luca Hogan later found himself with some space inside the area, but his low drive across goal was blocked.

Thomas doubled Caernarfon’s lead in first half stoppage time as he raced into the final third and sent a fierce effort beyond Jon Rushton, leaving Billy Paynter’s side with work to do in the second period.

Second Half
There were two changes made just before the restart from Billy Paynter as Jack Kenny and Tyler Berry both replaced Elliott Dugan and Luca Hogan.

However, it was Caernarfon who threatened more in the early moments of the second half, and the home side got their reward as Clarke made it three in the 56th minute.

Mendes’ header struck the post, but the rebound fell kindly to Clarke, who simply could not miss from close range to give his team daylight.

The Nomads came close to reducing the deficit, but Berry’s swerving volley from distance was well-watched by McMullan.

Another substitution arrived in the 74th minute as Ben Maher came on for Rhys Hughes. Maher nearly pulled a goal back just five minutes after entering the fray, but his header from Fumpa’s cross was wide of the post.

The Nomads were given the opportunity to get themselves on the scoresheet when Maher was fouled inside the area by McMullan, which resulted in a penalty kick.

Captain John Disney stepped up from the spot and clinically found the bottom left corner for his second goal of the season.

Kenny had a couple of chances to half the deficit in stoppage time but his header and smart backheel were both saved by McMullan. Caernarfon saw out the dying stages of the match to claim victory and prevent The Nomads from making a comeback.

What’s Next?
We return to the Essity Stadium next week to face Aberystwyth Town in the JD Cymru Premier. We take on the Seasiders on Friday, 4 October with a 7:45pm scheduled kick off time.

We have gone unbeaten in all home matches against Aberystwyth since 2015, so we will be hoping to extend that record on Friday night.

Match Report by Adam Angerer