Nomads fall at first hurdle to Bluebirds

The Nomads' recent loss of form in the league was spared no dividence in the Welsh Cup, where they crashed out of the competition in a 2-1 loss against Caersws that went into extra time.  A goal from Simon Everall put The Nomads ahead in the first half, but Neil Mitchell equalised before Adam Jenkins scored the eventual winner in extra time.

The Nomads brought a youthful squad with them to mid Wales with Jack Cheetham, Sean Tinsley and Lee Jones all included. The game also saw a first start for John Rushton since his return from a brief loan spell at Newtown AFC. Caersws meanwhile were very much ready to cause an upset this 3rd round with their side doing well in 4th place currently in the Huws Gray Alliance and with the home advantage.

After a well observed minutes silence for the late Nelson Mandela, the game kicked off to a lively start. Caersws looked dangerous on the attack throughout with an early chance that was stopped by the assistant's flag. Mike Hayes then connected with a good ball from Jack Cheetham - a player who put out a positive performance despite the disappointing game.

The first half continued an end to end affair with the two teams attacking well but defending poorly.  The Nomads seemed to have a nervousness about their game, with the players not welcoming possession and looking to get rid of the ball quickly.  It looked as if the opening nerves had been diminished however, when Simon Everall put The Nomads ahead after the ball fell to his feet in his area before he calmly slotted the ball into the net, in what is his first goal of the season so far.

Despite the lead, the game remained open with Caersws showing a determination to continue attacking with an array of chances in the remaining minutes of the first half.  The Nomads held on for the lead at half time, hoping for a much more stable performance in the second half.

Caersws started the second half with what would be the beginnings of an inspired performance.  Early chances were kept out by Rushton who in one challenge came to the floor with a Caersws striker, which prompted penalty claims from the home players that were waved away by referee Mark Whitby.

The increased pressure on Nomads goalmouth finally paid off for the Bluebirds when Mitchell rose in a cluster of red and blue shirts to head Caersws level. Now a boosted team Caersws began to appear the stronger side in the game.

More bad news followed for Nomads when after a clash with the Caersws goalkeeper Gary O'Toole came out badly injured, and needed a stretcher to leave the field.  He was replaced by Lee Jones who was hoped to deliver a burst of life into a deflated Nomads, along with Desormeaux who replaced Ryan Edwards.

Nomads continued late into the game with chances, most significantly when moments from the final whistle Mike Hayes was presented with a golden chance to score the winner for The Nomads from yards out but his shot was blasted beyond the crossbar.

This meant the game would go into extra time at a bitterly cold Recreation Ground.  In the opening of extra time Caersws then had a golden chance themselves, gifted to them by some poor defending from The Nomads.  Looking to make amends for his previous miss Mike Hayes made a shot, but the keeper once again swept and took the ball from the strikers feet.

It took until the second half of extra time for one of the sides to find a breakthrough, that team being the home side Caersws who through Adam Jenkins, scored in the 110th minute.  Jenkins found the net in a scramble amidst The Nomads' goalmouth to give the home side the advantage with just ten minutes to go.

A Nomads team with a lack confidence continued to play, but the momentum was now with the home side who continued to top off an excellent performance before Whitby blew his whistle signalling an end to Nomads Welsh Cup campaign and their eighth straight defeat.

Match Photos