Nomads clinch crucial win over Steelmen

The Nomads' bid for survival was boosted massively on Saturday afternoon when the team secured a 2-0 victory over Port Talbot Town. Goals from Michael Hayes in the first half and Gary O'Toole in the second saw this win achieved.

This was a special fixture for many reasons, this fixture on a weekend of remembrance in the football world for the 96 who died in the Hillsborough Stadium tragedy.  For this, kick off was to be at 3:07 in remembrance with a minutes silence observed before the game kicked off.

Nomads went into the game knowing only a win was good enough, with Nomads tenth in the table but only 2 points above the relegation zone with Prestatyn still very much part of the relegation battle.  As they faced an already relegated Afan Lido, the pressure was on Nomads to deliver a result to keep their heads above water. The team to do this saw a start for Academy product Jack Riley, and a start for Paul Mooney in the midfield, where Nomads were forced to strengthen as the banned Ricky Evans could only watch from the sidelines.

Port Talbot came to Deeside with the label of a deflated team to many in the league, with the recent sacking of Scott Young after a season full of promise had seen them fail to secure a top six spot, and knowing a loss would send Nomads level on points with them.

The game kicked off promisingly for Nomads who asserted some attacking play in the opening phase of the game. Michael Hayes went on a run towards Keeper Steven Hall who was able to sweep the ball into his grip to keep the no.9 at bay. Minutes later, Daniel Forde would have a shot that was heading for the goal before it was blocked by a defender for the Steelmen.

Despite this period of attack from Nomads, the score remained 0-0 as Port Talbot got into the game more, meaning by half an hour’s play the game had morphed into a fairly even encounter. Late on into the half however Nomads went close to going ahead but only through a Port Talbot defensive mix up, which left O’ Toole free to strike the ball narrowly wide.

Minutes later, on the 45 minute mark, Michael Hayes made no mistake in a similar situation. From a free kick the striker found himself with the ball and only the keeper to beat, slotted the ball into the back of the net at a great time, going in for the interval leading 1-0.

Only half the job was done however as the second half was yet to be played and Nomads only led by one goal. Port Talbot looked to get back into the game sending a ball into a crowded Nomads box but for Terry McCormick to punch the ball out. Gethin Jones came very close to finding the equaliser for Port Talbot when his free header from 8 yards out missed the goal by inches.

At the other end the second goal for Nomads was looking like something of a mystery as Michael Hayes repeatedly shot only for Steven Hall to stay strong on his line. All this added to what was a tense finish to the game at Deeside, with both teams still attacking for the goal to either seal or save the fixture.

Disbelief was amongst some home fans when at seemingly the end of the game an additional five minutes time was added. It was in these five that thankfully the game was won for Nomads when Gary O Toole slotted the ball calmly past Steven Hall, seeing the ball roll slowly into the bottom of the net and confirm a vital three points for Nomads.

This was win that makes Nomads bid for survival ever more promising having gone unbeaten for the past four games now. A big task awaits them on Tuesday the 15th of April when they face Bala Town at home in a game where a win sets Nomads up for survival.

Match Photos