O Toole strikes twice against ten man Robins

The Nomads enjoyed another lively encounter at Newtown AFC, where a brace from Welsh Premier League's leading goalscorer Gary O' Toole and a strike from Paul Mooney sealed a win for the travelling team. The game was a challenging one for both teams, The Nomads coming from behind twice in the match to eventually take three points.

With a host of injuries, Mark McGregor was challenged for the afternoons line up, which saw a start for youngsters Simon Everall and Jamie Wynne with Danny Forde out due to injury. The Robins on the other hand were in good form ahead of the match with wins against Prestatyn and Port Talbot.

The opening period of the game was mixed, with The Nomads making some passing play but an aerial Newtown squad winning many balls. Their strength in this area showed during early chances from Tom Goodwin that were blocked by Terry Mcormick. Newtown's positive start paid off however, when Sean Evans beat both Jamie Wynne and then Mcormick, who he lobbed the ball over in a brilliant opening goal for the home side. 

A goal down, The Nomads were undeterred but eager to make play level again, with deliveries into the box from the likes of Michael Hayes and Paul Mooney going astray. Newtowns towering defensive line worked well, but were being challenged more and more by an attacking line up consisting of no more than three strikers. O' Toole, Hayes and Everall continued to push and were rewarded in the 35th minute when a Hayes strike inside the box was blocked but fell to the path of O Toole, who tapped the ball in to seal an equaliser.

The half time score stood level at 1-1 but there was more to come with two attacking sides against each other. The Nomads returned the more attacking team in the second half with chances from Everall who was denied his first Welsh Premier League goal by the post. Despite promising chances, it was the Robins who gained the upper hand on around 60 minutes when Tom Goodwin made a run from the midfield before slotting the ball into The Nomads' net.

The Nomads were now faced with an ultimatum of having to hit back immediately  to be in with a chance of taking anything away from Latham Park. Thankfully for the travelling fans they did, after Michael Hayes was brought down in the box and O Toole made no mistake from the spot, sealing his 7th goal in a mere four games. Level and with still a quarter of the game to go The Nomads could now try to go for the spoils against the Robins.

The games highest point of controversy came when the referee brandished a red card towards previous goalscorer Sean Evans, who appeared to kick out at Mark McGregor, resulting in the Robins having to complete the game with 10 men. With this added boost, Paul Mooney sealed the eventual winner when he struck the ball powerfully past Keeper Mullock to send The Nomads 3-2 up.

This goal did not defeat Newtown just then as they continued to fight back, with chances that would have most certainly gone in if not for Terry Mcormick who made some astonishing saves during the closing period of the game. Despite the home players efforts the Nomads held out and after 3 minutes of added time the referee blew the whistle handing another win to The Nomads.

This was a result that should not be taken lightly as it was fought long and hard for and takes Nomads up to third in the table, only four points behind Airbus UK and TNS. Nomads are now on a unbeaten run of four games which will be challenged yet again vs Rhyl FC at the Deeside Stadium on the 19th October.

Following the game, Director of Football Mark McGregor said "I thought Newtown were worthy for a point today, but after last week's game against Carmarthen you take what you can in this league. With our three strikers I know that we can score in every game that we play in - we just need some steady heads in the camp when the game gets exciting. It was a great finish by [Paul] Mooney who will score goals this season, but the three strikers won us the game today."

Match Photos