One all with The Ancients

On a wet and windy night in Deeside, The Nomads drew 1-1 with Cefn Druids.  After a goalless first half, Lee Healey made the breakthrough for the visitors in the 61st minute before Gary O'Toole equalised in the 68th.

This was highly anticipated game for both sides, one which could possibly determine a top or bottom six finish come the end of phase one.  Former Nomads such as Craig Jones, Ryan Edwards and Lee Healey started for Druids whilst The Nomads saw an unchanged side, bar the appearances of Rowlands and Stanton.
 
After a run of six games unbeaten, most recently a hard fought draw against Carmarthen Town, The Nomads looked to continue their good form on Friday night.  It would be no easy feat against Cefn Druids, who had already beaten them in August by three goals to two.

The first half saw good passing play from Roberts and Rowlands, but they could not find a man to finish the move.  Ricky Evans sent a ball floating across the goal but no one was able to reach it, before Gary Roberts sent a rocket shot into the safe hands of Dave Roberts.

Holder of the fastest ever Welsh Premier hat trick and ex-Nomad Lee Healey looked dangerous, but was caught offside on a break with only 'keeper McCormick to beat.  Sean Miller made a run down the right hand side of the pitch to send a curling effort in which Roberts caught on his far post.  A common feature of the game for both sides was chances being created without a clinical finish.

This lack of finishing was again shown when Lee Healey was one on one with McCormick but hit the ball straight at The Nomads' 'keeper.  Healey was indeed keeping The Nomads' defence busy, having another shot pushed out wide for a corner.

At the end of the first half the game was goalless despite a number of chances, and with neither side establishing a hold on the game the second half was all to play for.  It was Druids who got the first chance after play resumed, sending a cross into the path of Donegan who had his shot cleared by Steve Evans.

The visitors eventually found their goal through Lee Healey who had a great pass delivered to him which cut through The Nomads' defence, leaving the Druids' striker to run onto goal and slot the ball past McCormick.

This was a short-lived lead for the away side as seven minutes later Gary O'Toole rose up amongst a cluster of red shirts to head the ball low into the net and equalise from a corner.  From the equaliser, the game's tempo rose with chances at both ends in quick succession.

Gary O'Toole couldn't quite connect with a diving header wide before Adam Hesp hit a shot against the post from a Druids corner.  Gary Roberts made a run into the box and went down, but the referee's whistle was blown for simulation rather than the penalty shouts of The Nomads' crowd.  In the 81st minute, Roberts then had a shot cleared off the line by Peter Hoy in The Nomads clearest chance for a winner.

Despite being awarded a number of free kicks late on, The Nomads couldn’t convert them and the score at full time stood at 1-1.

In what had been an entertaining game with plenty of attacking action, both teams will have come off pleased to have come away with something in a game that could have gone either way.

The Nomads' next game is a break away from the Welsh Premier League, facing Monmouth Town at home in the Welsh Cup next Saturday with an earlier than usual kick off time of 1:30pm.

Match Photos