Victory at Deeside for Nomads

The Nomads found their first win of the season against Afan Lido on a windy afternoon at the Deeside Stadium. Goals in the second half from Craig Jones, Luke Holden and Gary O’Toole sealed a much needed three points for The Nomads.

Looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Aberystwyth mid-week, The Nomads had the ideal opportunity against bottom of the table Lido. Ricky Evans wads installed into the first team starting line up to give the team a boost along with recent signings Luke Holden and Healey retaining their starting spots. Afan Lido faced a selection headache before the game with neither keeper’s available, playing left back Sam Hodge as their stand-in keeper.

The Nomads showed urgency from the kick off, Michael Burns forcing a shot towards goal which went just wide. Lee Healey, who since had recently enjoyed three goals in the past 2 games was again eager to get on the score sheet, who had a shot on against Hodge who saved, the first of many great stops he had to make over the course of the game.

Lido had little chances in the first half, pressing against a Nomads that coped well led by centre back Russell Courtney.  When they did press, Connor Harris scraped a shot in a busy penalty area that was eventually cleared to safety.
At 30 minutes gone the score was 0-0 as frustration rose between the teams, Lido’s Zola being shown a yellow for a tackle on Luke Holden. The Referee was not shy to show his Yellow Cards, with Lee Healey and Gary Roberts booked for dissent.

Despite Nomads best efforts, with numerous shots going towards the Lido goal, the net remained empty at half time. For Nomads it had been a case of too much or too little with shots either tame or way off. Still, Nomads remained confident with the second half to break the deadlock.

With the second half underway Nomads wasting no time doing so, with Craig Jones sending Nomads 1-0 up just 3 minutes into the half. Picking up the ball outside the box he darted in and shot towards the right hand side of the goal, beating stand in Keeper Hodge and taking some of the pressure off Nomads in the process.

After this goal the crowd saw the return of Gary O’Toole after an injury, replacing Lee Healey. 1 goal down Lido were not undeterred and continued to push, winning a corner that came to nothing thanks to a clearance from the Nomads defence.

As the second half wore on Nomads became more and more in control, doubling the lead on 58 minutes via Luke Holden, after O’Toole held up the ball in the box for Holden to run up and send the ball into the net.

Becoming more confident with two goals on their side Nomads had chances flying in, Roberts sending a rocketing effort just past the goal. Despite the goals he conceded stand in Keeper Sam Hodge was commendable goal making many great saves, stopping Gary O’Toole’s point blanc effort to keep his side vaguely in the game.

The points were eventually wrapped up for Nomads on 86 minutes when Gary O’ Toole made no mistake in front of goal with a close range effort that trickled over the line.

The referee soon blew his whistle to confirm a 3-0 victory for Nomads. A much needed home win and a long awaited clean sheet for the team that should give them confidence for their big away challenge next Friday the 14th at Maes Tegid, in a clash with Bala Town FC.

Match Photos