Nomads have no luck with Lido

The opener to the Nomads 2013/14 campaign ended with a disappointing 0-0 stalemate with visitors Afan Lido.

Both sides were eager to set a winning tone to their teams with The Nomads making a number of impressive signings, as have Lido with the introduction of former Carmarthen captain Matthew Rees and former Neath winger Gary Preen.

The game opened as a 50/50 affair with most of the action in the midfield, however the first chance swung Connahs Quay's way when a defensive error from Lido let Michael Hayes through on goal who set up Simon Everall, who shot narrowly wide of the right post.

Afan Lido would also threaten on with a free kick around 35 yards out floated into the box by Jordan Smith, and on 13 minutes they almost went ahead if a powerful header from Rameer Outlaw hadn't been saved by a fantastic single handed stop from Terry McCormick.  Nomads would still attack with some great flowing play between Hayes and Ricky Evans who linked up with Simon Everall whose shot met Michael Hayes before being cleared out.

The home side kept turning the heat on Lido with a corner kick from Paul Mooney swooping inwards towards goal but was to scrambled away by Lido stopper McCreesh - a trend that would continue throughout the game.

The talking point of this game came just before half time when a corner was converted with a header from Mark Mcgregor that smashed into the roof of the net - but oddly disallowed by the Referee for what he seemed to believe was a push on a Lido player within the scramble of the box. This meant although Nomads had many chances in the first half none had paid off and the scoreline at half time remained 0-0.

The second half was showing to be much the same as the first with chances created by Nomads being blocked by Lido's Man of the Match Rees whilst Lido were also attacking with Luke Borrelli coming close on 50 minutes. Lido proved they are not the same side as last season with Keyon Refell causing problems down the wing. Frustrations began to become visible with the team as the last quarter of the game approached with Nomads still unable to find a breakthrough.

Nomads tried to put a winning boost into the game on 79 minutes when Danny Forde was introduced for Paul Mooney, and another headed effort from Mcgregor bouncing off the crossbar to the relief of Keeper Mcreesh. Everall was replaced for Smyth for the last five minutes for the former Liverpool man to salvage a win for Nomads, but it wasn't to be as the final shot from Danny Desormeaux travelled tamely to the Keepers hands.

In a game where Nomads will feel they had some misfortune with a disallowed goal, but be ultimately disappointed to get a draw from a game where they had so many chances to convert. No credit must be taken away from Afan Lido who fought magnificently to get a draw in the opening weekend of Welsh Premier League competition at Deeside.

Match report written by Will Catterall

Match Photos