Saints take the spoils

The Nomads fell to their second defeat at the hands of TNS this season after goals from Chris Seargeant and Michael Wilde sealed a 2-0 win for the champions.

The Nomads entered the game with form on their side, having gone unbeaten in eight games.  They knew a large challenge was facing them in The New Saints, who were unbeaten in the Welsh Premier League.

A revised squad started for The Nomads with academy products Ben Nash, Sean Cookson and Anthony Stanton all in the first 11.  Gary O’Toole was on the bench injured, whilst Steve Evans could not play against his parent club and Gary Roberts and Chris Rowntree were ruled out via suspension. This did not mean The Nomads had a weaker squad however, with the young Nomads coping well in the face of full time professionals.

The game began with TNS performing a typically strong passing display, yet it was to no immediate success in front of goal with Ben Nash doing well to dispossess Chris Seargeant on a run heading inside The Nomads' area.  Moments later Sam Finley had a shot go over from just seven yards out.  Michael Wilde went for the spectacular with a back heel towards goal that was blocked out by a Nomads defence whom were persistent against the attack of the home side.

One of The Nomads few chances in the game came when Sean Miller broke free after a TNS corner with only one Saints' defender and the goalkeeper to beat. Turning past his man, Welsh Premier League Player of the Month, Miller, went for a long distance lob which sailed over the crossbar.

The Nomads held out for 24 minutes before the first goal came, and it came in a controversial manner.  When Nash dispossessed a Saints forward seemingly outside the box, referee Iwan Griffiths pointed to the penalty spot to the dismay of many spectators that evening at Park Hall.  Chris Seargeant stepped up and made no mistake to slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

In the second half, the tempo of the game remained unchanged, with The New Saints passing the ball in and out of The Nomads' half.  Continuing their defensive battle, McGregor cleared a shot off The Nomads' line before Sean Cookson took the ball towards goal only to be intercepted by Spender.

As the game went on, TNS enjoyed more and more possession but could not find the breakthrough to extend their lead with a number of corners McCormick handled well.  Their second goal did eventually come in the 74th minute when a cross met Michael Wilde who deep in The Nomads' area sent a simple header into goal.  The Saints' dominance continued after the goal but The Nomads remained resilient in defence against the champions to limit the score line to 2-0 at full time.

In a game where The Nomads had little to celebrate, one positive was the impressively adequate performance of The Nomads academy products that did not look uncomfortable against the Welsh Premier Champions.  Ben Nash, Kieran Gaul, Anthony Stanton, Sean Cookson and Tom Bibby all made appearances on Friday night further showing how gap Connah’s Quay Nomads value the young talent in their ranks.

The Nomads get back in action on Friday the 12th of December at home to tough opposition against Aberystwyth Town, with a 7:30pm kick off.

Match Photos