Nomads lose out in 5 goal cup thriller

Goals three minutes after the kick-off and three minutes before the end were not enough to see Nomads through to the second round of the Huws Gray League Cup at Ponciau this afternoon. Boss Mark McGregor made several changes to the line-up giving Scott Baker and Jamie Petrie their first starts of the season. Top scorer Gary O'Toole, presented with his August 'Player of the Month' award before the match, was on the bench along with Craig 'Tigga' Jones. Nomads could not have had a better start when, in their first real attack, Dean Thurston fired a left-foot shot across goal and inside Adam McGee's far post to give the visitors an early advantage. Rhos were rocked back and took some time to recover during which Nomads could easily have added to that goal with Scott Baker firing wide and other efforts being scrambled away by an overworked Rhos defence. The bumpy pitch was not helping Nomads' passing game and as chances came and went so Rhos gained in confidence. On 22 minutes they drew level when Josh Russell broke clear and although he went down in the penalty area under a hefty challenge Aaron Edwards was on hand to fire an equaliser under Terry McCormick's body.

O'Toole entered the fray at half-time in place of Scott Baker but before he had a chance to make an impact, Rhos Aelwyd took the lead for the first time. Nomads were slow to clear the danger and centre forward Mike Burke was given the freedom to lob the ball over McCormick in the 51st minute. Three minutes later the home side grabbed another and yet again it was the visitor's defensive frailties that led to the goal. McGregor was caught in possession on the edge of his own area and Josh Russell took his chance well to fire Rhos 3-1 in front. Connah's Quay were finding it difficult to stamp their authority on the game as they have been doing so often this season and frustration seemed to creep into their play. As the minutes ticked away, both Mark McGregor and Andy Alston joined the attack and it was the player-manager who gave Nomads hope with a goal in the 87th minute. 'Keeper McGee failed to reach Thurston's deep cross and McGregor breasted the ball down before firing high into the net. Then, deep into the six minutes of added time Rob Jones fired a low shot across goal but there was nobody on hand to touch the ball home.

Nomads: McCormick, Petrie, Collins, McGregor, A. Alston, R. Jones, Thurston, Scheuber, Hayes, S. Baker, Hooley.
Subs: O'Toole for S. Baker, C. Jones for Petrie, T. Baker for Hooley.