O Toole brace seals first home win

Connahs Quay Nomads finally tasted victory on their own soil on Sunday afternoon when they overcame Prestatyn by a scoreline of 3-1.  In a game live on S4C, Jack Lewis put the visitors ahead before Ricky Evans and Gary O’Toole made sure of a win for The Nomads.

Both sides knew of the importance of the fixture going into the game as they neighboured each other in the table with The Nomads 10th and Prestatyn 11th. Three points for The Nomads would see them widen the gap between themselves and the drop zone, but for Prestatyn they would close it.

Niki-Lee Bulmer made his debut for the club after signing for The Nomads in October.  Prestatyn fielded their familiar line up including long time Seasiders Dave Hayes and Andy Parkinson.  As the fixture fell on Remembrance Sunday, a minute's silence was observed before kickoff.

The game began with an attacking style, both teams having chances in the early stages.  Jordan Davies found himself in space inside The Nomads' box and shot to have his effort deflected out.  Gary O’Toole led a Nomads attack towards the opposition area but couldn’t convert the movement into a finishing strike.

John Dillon went for the spectacular forcing keeper Scott Williams into an acrobatic save before Parkinson was dispossessed on an accelerated run into the box.  The first half saw The Nomads gain much of the possession but not clinical finishing, with John Dillon sending a shot above the crossbar from inside The Nomads' area.  Miller had a great chance to send The Nomads into the lead cutting into the Prestatyn area only for Williams to save his shot at point blank range.  Prestatyn were regretting their luck just before half time when Davies made a great run into the box only to have his shot saved well by Bulmer.

The second half saw a similar attacking start but this time the finish was present through Prestatyn’s Jack Lewis who made a bursting run into the box to strike high into The Nomads' goal sending his side 1-0 up.  This was a great individual goal that gave The Seasiders the lead after seven minutes of the second half.

The Nomads began to launch for a reply to the goal with McIntyre sending a cross into the box which Ricky Evans headed wide.  Miller threatened sending a square ball across the Prestatyn six yard box, resulting in a corner which was headed wide for a goal kick.

Changes were made to try and construct the comeback with Dillon being replaced by Giglio, who made an impact with his runs down the wing.  The Nomads were awarded for their pressure on goal in the 68th minute through Ricky Evans.  In a crowded box, Evans slid the ball low into the middle of the goal, just crossing the line and bringing the game level at Deeside.

The equalizer appeared to insert some confidence into the home side, forcing Prestatyn to concede a number of corners in the second half.  Giglio sent a shot towards goal from around 25 yards only for Williams to make a good save.  The lead was taken in the 80th minute by Gary O’Toole who was assisted with a square ball from Miller, sending his under Scott Williams in the middle of the net.

The Nomads looked to hold onto the lead with their first home win on the horizon, but they had to remain strong and achieved that through the likes of Chris Rowntree who made a vital defensive tackle inside The Nomads' area.

The home crowd were spared a tense affair in the four minutes of additional time with O’Toole striking in the second minute of additional time to seal the win.  In a goal similar to his first, O’Toole was set up by Gary Roberts and drilled the ball into the net to confirm his brace and a Nomads win.  Shortly after this Lee Evans signalled for full time and sent Deeside into cheers recipient of a well deserved win.

In a game that for a long time was frustrating for the home side, their persistence was rewarded with an eventual late win.  The game was also in aid of the Gary Speed Memorial with the late Wales legend's father Roger Speed present at the game in which half of the matchday revenue would be donated to his charity.  Mr Speed awarded Sean Miller as the club man of the match.

This was The Nomads' first win at home in the Welsh Premier League this season, which will motivate them to find their second against Bangor City on Wednesday 12th November at Deeside (7:30pm) in a game that offers free entry for spectators.

Match Photos