Rowntree header shares the Bank Holiday spoils

The Nomads saw their first home game of the season end in a 1-1 draw with Camarthen Town with goals in the second half from David Brooks and Chris Rowntree.

This was a game full of expectations from both teams, with The Nomads looking to pick themselves up after a disappointing 3-2 loss at Prestatyn on Friday, the first of the bank holiday double fixtures.  Meanwhile Camarthen came to Deeside full of confidence after grinding out a 1-0 over Rhyl on Saturday afternoon.

With a starting lineup including Welsh Premier stalwarts Cortez Belle and Lee Idzi, the Camarthen faithful could be confident, whilst The Nomads line up looked similar to the team at Bastion Gardens, with the exception of Jamie Rainford starting along Gary O’Toole and Chris Rowntree back in as part of The Nomads' back four.

The Nomads' open game of 2014, which saw free admission for all, kicked off excitingly, with Jay Colbeck breaking through and lobbing Lee Idzi with a shot that hit the crossbar.  Minutes later Kyle Bassett came up with an early contender for miss of the season, reaching a pass that had beaten the entire Nomads defence including McCormick, only to shoot wide and miss the open goal.  Despite the attacking start from both sides a deserved 1-1 scoreline was denied, and the half went on goalless.

Well aware the same mistakes made against Prestatyn could not be repeated, John Dillon was operative in the midfield, sending long passes up to Gary O’Toole who was forced to fight for every ball by Cortez Belle.

Gary Roberts did well in defence holding off the likes of Jeff White, whilst his fellow striking partner and former Afan Lido and Prestatyn player Chris Hartland made some dangerous crosses into the box, with McCormick able to cope rising up to catch them in his six yard box.

The Nomads enjoyed the better chances of the game, with Jamie Rainford coming close to force Idzi into an excellent save before heading the rebound which went safely to the keeper once again.

The home crowd was in uproar when The Nomads had a penalty claim when Gary O’Toole went down in the area on a run towards goal, but referee Bryn Markham Jones waved the appeals away.

Despite a half which saw attacks so direct and threatening a goal was almost certain to come, the half time whistle blew with the game goalless.

A wave of nervousness came around Carmarthen for a brief moment after the second half began when Lee Idzi dropped the ball in front of Chris Rowntree, who tackled the ball out during the following battle for possession between Rowntree and Idzi.  Rowntree again enjoyed action on the left wing pushing up into the final third more, but was beaten by Kris Thomas for pace.

Carmarthen got their first and only goal of the game through David Brooks who hit the ball into the goal from close range during a scramble in The Nomads' area.  This was a lead that did not dampen The Nomads' spirits, as 10 minutes later the equalizer was made through Chris Rowntree who rose up in a packed Carmarthen end to head the ball into the roof of the net.

This goal came after a number of subs were made, for Nomads the introduction of Luke Holden for Jamie Rainford.  Following their equalizer, The Nomads looked more ferocious upfront with a chance for Colbeck coming, but Idzi was there to collect the ball in the air.

Ceri Morgan threatened for The Nomads again with a cross that skimmed the home side's crossbar before going out to safety for a goal kick.  The game became more end to end when Gary O’Toole went for the spectacular from 25 yards but scuffed his shot.

The winner for The Nomads looked to have arrived when John Dillon hit a curving shot that beat the keeper but hit the post before Gary O'Toole’s diving header from the rebound was sent in as Idzi recovered and saved.  This was the climactic chance of the game which saw a lot of pressure placed on Camarthen in the final few minutes.

After four minutes of additional time, the referee blew his whistle to confirm it was a point each for the teams that afternoon. Whilst feeling they could have won the game, The Nomads will be boosted by a positive performance that saw them grow into the game and finish the stronger side.  They now move onto an away trip to newly promoted side Cefn Druids on Friday night, for a 7:30pm kick off.

Match Photos