Nomads secure safety with final day demolition

gap Connahs Quay Nomads ran out 8-1 winners at the Marstons Stadium on Saturday afternoon, which assured them safety from relegation by finishing the season 10th in the table and 3 points above the relegation zone. A Gary O' Toole hat trick, Michael Hayes brace and goals from Healey, Holden and Mooney meant Nomads ended their season with a romp against Afan Lido.

This game was of vital importance to Nomads, the final game they were to play this season, but still fighting for their certain survival. The leagues recent results had conjured up a survival scenario, in which Nomads sat 11th in the table above Prestatyn and Port Talbot, but all teams were on equal points separated by only goal difference. Nomads went into the game knowing they had to win, and hope for a loss or draw for either of their fellow relegation candidates.

The starting team hinted at an attacking style of play with Gary O Toole and Michael Hayes upfront with Gary Roberts and Luke Holden backing them up in the midfield. Already relegated but still with fight in them, Afan Lido also had a boost with the return of club favourites Greg Hurley and Pearson.

The game started with Nomads attacking well, their intentions seen to take an early grasp on the relegation fight when Gary O Toole's effort went just wide of Daniel James post. Lido threatened when Greg Hurley sent a free kick into the box, but within the scramble in the box keeper McCormick was fouled.

The Nomads breakthrough came on 17 minutes, when Michael Hayes broke through the Lido back four and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. No time was wasted in getting the second, when only 3 minutes later Gary O Toole sent a half volley past James to send Nomads 2-0 up.

It looked as if the day was going to take a difficult turn when a mistake from the Nomads defence gave Greg Hurley a chance to go one on one with McCormick and score. This goal was disputed by the linesman's flag raised for offside but referee Huw Jones overruled that decision to bring Lido back into it at 2-1.

Nomads looked to regain that 2 goal cushion with a header from O' Toole going wide, before Gary Roberts ran into the box and was brought down. O' Toole stepped up and scored, sending Nomads in 3-1 at half time.

In the second half it was clear to see the dominance of the Nomads bring asserted onto a deflated Lido side. Mooney got his name on the scoresheet slotting the ball in from inside the box, before Luke Holden scored a contender for club goal of the season, hitting a great volley that looped over Evan James to make the score 5-1.

The goals didn't stop there, with Gary O Toole securing his hat trick in great fashion, nonchalantly hitting a half volley that went off the inside of the post and in for 6-1. The eighth goal in this game went nomads way again with Hayes securing his brace.

Making it 8-1 before full time was Lee Healey, who hit a brilliant ball straight down the middle of the goal to further carry on the demolition of the home side. Soon after this the full time whistle was blown, and with a Talbot win and Prestatyn loss, Nomads finished 10th in the table and were safe from relegation without any default helping Nomads cause.

This was a positive way to finish a difficult season for Nomads that was haunted by relegation fears early on, however a rejuvenated squad under Mark McGregor has performed excellently and confirmed Nomads will still be playing Welsh Premier Football next season.