Herbie Strike Sinks Rhayader

Chris Herbert netted the only goal of the game at the start of the second half as gap Connah's Quay Nomads earned a hard-fought three points against a determined Rhayader Town side this afternoon.

Nomads' player-boss Mark McGregor rang the changes for the first home game in four weeks, following a 3-2 defeat at Rhos Aelwyd in the Huws Gray Alliance League Cup last time out.

Ben Alston, Craig Jones, Danny Forde, Tom Baker, Gary O'Toole and Chris Herbert all returned to the starting line-up - all of whom having either been rested or having made fleeting substitute appearances at Rhos.

In a cagey opening half with goalmouth chances few and far between, Nomads enjoyed plenty of the ball, and pressed and probed but failed to really test visiting 'keeper Barry Evans - save for an early Andy Alston header that was comfortably held.

The home front two of Herbert and O'Toole - the most-used pairing by McGregor so far this season - were supported by Dean Thurston in an attacking trident but were thwarted by some resolute defending by the visitors, and a handful of debated offside flags.

Wing-backs Ben Collins and Baker offered much going forward, but the closest Nomads came to opening the scoring was through a couple of Collins half-volleys that flew over and wide.

Indeed, at the other end Nomads very nearly fell behind when Terry McCormick, largely a passenger for the first half hour, was called into action to keep out lone striker Oliver Richards, whilst another Rhayader effort cannoned off the crossbar before Ben Alston hammered the ball clear.

Perhaps 0-0 was just about right at half time, but Nomads were determined to stretch their stunning 100% start to the league campaign with a fifth win in five.

And less than five minutes after the restart, the deadlock was broken.

Herbert latched onto a hopeful punt upfield, shrugged off opposing defender Mike Collister, and looped the ball high over the advancing Evans, who had come racing off his goal-line.

The ball dropped sweetly underneath the bar, into the far corner, to send the Nomads support into raptures for a much-needed breakthrough.

The goal opened the game up as the visitors showed more urgency to press for an equaliser, leaving enough space for adventurous left wing-back Collins to threaten out wide.

Collins wasted a glorious opportunity, after a great piece of play by hit-man O'Toole on the right side of the area. He picked out the former Buckley and Ruthin player, who could only screw the ball over the top of the bar from 10 yards out.

Nomads continued to press to make the game safe, and threw on Michael Hayes in place of the tiring match-winner Herbert, whilst Collins limped off with a knock to be replaced by Alan Hooley.

It was the introduction of Hayes that breathed fresh impetus into the Nomads attack, and the pacey striker jiggled his way into the six yard box only for the out-stretched leg of 'keeper Evans to divert a tame shot away from goal.

Whilst the score remained 1-0, though, the home defence had to be wary and plucky Rhayader bombarded McCormick's goal in a five minute spell towards the end of the game.

A succession of corners put the Nomads defence under pressure and Ben Alston was called into action to hook the ball away from just in front of the goal-line with McCormick beaten.

Nomads held on, though, to claim an outright berth at the top of the table, going into a break for Welsh Cup Second Round duty next weekend.