Hughes penalty cancelled out in draw with Cofis

Rhys Hughes was on the scoresheet again, but his penalty was not enough for all three points as The Nomads drew 1-1 with Caernarfon Town at the Essity Stadium on Tuesday night.

Hughes took his tally to eight goals for the league campaign as he calmly converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Noah Edwards.

However, the visitors improved in the second-half and grabbed their equaliser through Adam Davies, who headed home at the back post to rescue a point for his side.

The Nomads remain seventh in the JD Cymru Premier table, two points behind sixth-place Barry Town United.

Team News
Billy Paynter made just one change from our 3-0 win at Newtown last Saturday as Chris Marriott returned to the starting lineup, replacing Aron Williams, who dropped to the bench. There was a return to the matchday squad for Jordan Pownall, while Callum Bratley made his 50th competitive start for the club.

Caernarfon manager Richard Davies made two changes from his side’s 1-0 win at Briton Ferry Llansawel nearly a month ago as Matty Jones and Louis Lloyd came in for experienced duo Darren Thomas and Danny Gosset.

First Half
Caernarfon came close to taking the lead after just six minutes played. A swift counter-attack was led by Zack Clarke, and despite options to his right, the forward decided to go alone and send a fierce effort towards goal, but George Ratcliffe was equal to the shot, making a tremendous diving save.

Eventually The Nomads started to pile on the pressure, and there was almost one of the goals of the season from Callum Bratley as his first-time volley from distance forced Caernarfon goalkeeper Stephen McMullan into a fingertip save.

The chances continued to arrive, Jack Kenny firing narrowly wide from a very tight angle, before Rhys Hughes sent a powerful shot from outside the area inches over the crossbar.

Paynter’s side were rewarded for their dominance towards the end of the first-half as a late challenge from Ryan Sears on Noah Edwards resulted in a penalty.

Hughes stepped and made no mistake from 12 yards, sending McMullan the wrong way to bag his eighth Cymru Premier goal of the season and move joint-top of the league’s scoring charts.

Second Half
The Nomads were forced into their first change just five minutes after the restart as an injury to Callum Bratley meant he was replaced by Aron Williams.

Ratcliffe was called into action again as the Cofis started the second-half brightly with Clarke’s curling effort from distance being palmed away by the goalkeeper.

However, Richard Davies’ side were not to be denied once more as they found their equaliser just after the hour mark. Phil Mooney’s teasing cross saw Adam Davies pull away at the back post and head back across goal, where the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

It was almost the perfect response from The Nomads as Hughes’ low drive was cleared off the line, just seconds before Declan Poole’s ferocious attempt swerved wide of the top corner.

Another substitution arrived in the 74th minute as Elliott Dugan replaced Jack Kenny up front.

It was a tense finish to the match with Chris Marriott, Noah Edwards and Ryan Sears all being booked for their respective sides.

Late drama was potentially on the cards when Caernarfon’s Phil Mooney was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Youngster Luca Hogan replaced Dan Roberts and was introduced to try and make an impact. The youngster almost did in the second minute of stoppage time, but his deflected effort at the front post bounced over the top.

Despite two more additional minutes of stoppage time, neither team could find a winner, which meant both sides took home a point apiece.

What’s Next?
It’s another tough test for The Nomads in the JD Cymru Premier this weekend as we face current league leaders Penybont at the SDM Glass Stadium.

We will face Bont on Saturday, 7 December and we will kick-off at 2:30pm.

Paynter and his side will be hoping for revenge on the South Walians following a narrow 1-0 defeat in September’s reverse league fixture.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer