Nomads see off the Seasiders in 3-0 victory

This Saturday afternoon, The Nomads claimed a big result over Aberystwyth Town, turning up the heat in the play off conference with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Luke Holden, Gary O Toole and Michael Hayes.

A cold afternoon at the Deeside Stadium saw The Nomads welcome high flyers of the Conference Play Off Aberystwyth Town, a bogey team for The Nomads in the past, recently defeating The Nomads 4-0 earlier in the season and more recently overcoming Mark McGregor’s side 2-1 on a tight Tuesday night fixture. 

The stakes were high in this game as The Nomads searched for a boost to their survival campaign after disappointing 2-0 loss at Maes Tegid a week ago, and their competition were also aiming for all three points knowing a win would make them mathematically safe from relegation and ever strengthen their campaign for a place in the Europa League play offs.

Strong line ups started for both teams with a start for Player-Manager Mark Mcgregor, Ricky Evans and Russell Courtney wearing the captain’s armband. Geoff Kellaway and Chris Venables made their usual appearances to ensure the Seasiders had plenty of fire power.

The game started with both sides even, with neither side having any major chance in the opening period of the game. The Nomads' Gary O’Toole made breaks through onto the goal but was either stopped by the offside flag or Aberystwyth keeper Mike Lewis.  Ricky Evans play making ability was seen when he fed a through ball onto Holden, but once again Aberystwyth collected solidly. The first major chance of the game was also the first goal, when Michael Burns assisted Luke Holden, who sent his shot under Lewis to put Nomads 1-0 up on 17 minutes. 

Despite the 1-0 lead little was between the two sides for the remainder of the first half, but The Nomads could have gone 2-0 up when Gary O'Toole hit the post a few minutes after Holden’s goal.  Aberystwyth stayed very much in the game with a host of chances from Venables, Kellaway and Corbiserio but none could find the equaliser before half time.

The half time whistle was welcomed for both teams, The Nomads 1-0 up but feeling there was much to do in order to achieve the much needed victory. Aberystwyth trailed but still looked a very strong side in front of goal and were battling well.

The second half began similar to the first with both sides having their share of chances, Aberystwyth earning a corner that was successfully cleared by The Nomads before Gary Roberts, man of the match, had a shot cleared inside the six yard box.  

The Nomads' second goal then came from Gary O'Toole, finding a through ball from Roberts and beating the defenders by his side to slot the ball past Lewis and send Nomads 2-0 up, stabilising his side on their campaign for three points.

With the win they so aspired for slipping away from them, Aberystwyth were pro active in their attack but failed to get their shot on target consistently in the game.  Chris Venables sent a powerful header towards goal but it went just wide.  The seasiders again had a golden chance in front of goal but the shot went skywards.
The tense home crowd was relieved on 86 minutes when the substitute Michael Hayes sealed the win for The Nomads, but it would take three efforts to get the ball in the net as his first shot was blocked, before Gary Roberts hit the post for Hayes to make no mistake on the rebound.

A low point for Nomads then followed when Lee McCardle was shown a red card after two yellow card offences. After this disappointment, the win was confirmed to The Nomads' delight when referee Dean John blew his whistle. 

This was a momentous afternoon for The Nomads who now with three points on their backs will be boosted into a busy week of football, facing Airbus UK on Tuesday the 25th and, in what is bound to be labelled the biggest game of our season so far, a relegation battle six pointer against Prestatyn Town FC on Saturday the 29th of March.

Match Photos