Eight goal thriller sees Nomads progress

Saturday afternoon saw one of the most exciting Welsh Cup ties in recent memory at Deeside Stadium, with The Nomads progressing through the round.  The game promised to be a Cup tie of quality, with both teams coming into the game in strong spirits - The Nomads unbeaten in seven games and Monmouth, the reigning champions of Welsh League One.

The home side started a similar line up to the one who last played against Cefn Druids, the only change being Marcus Giglio making a start in place of Director of Football, Mark McGregor, who started on the sideline.

It was The Kingfishers who started the better side going ahead on seven minutes after Dan MacDonald’s free kick was pushed out by McCormick with Eliot Evans there to score on the rebound.  The Nomads looked to get back into the game with Steve Evans coming close with a header over the crossbar, but the whistle had already gone for a foul against the goalkeeper.

With The Nomads struggling to take a hold of the game, The Kingfishers then doubled their lead in style with Dan MacDonald lobbing McCormick from just inside The Nomads' half.  They were not satisfied with a two goal lead however, as two minutes later, Alderdice took advantage of a deflected block inside the box to send his side 3-0 up and the travelling support into raptures.

The Nomads looked to create chances but had no major opportunities with Giglio shooting well but above the crossbar.  O’Toole had The Nomads' best chance, breaking onto goal but striking tame and low at Keiron Blackburn.  Just before the whistle for the interval, The Nomads did get a goal back via George Horan who latched onto a through ball inside the box to give The Nomads something to build on the second half.  

Coming out of their dressing room early, the hope amongst the crowd was that The Nomads were ready and revitalised for the coming half.  This hope was lived up to by The Nomads, who continued the comeback when Gary O’Toole made the score 2-3.  Miller intercepted the 'keeper who whilst off his line sent the ball into the path of The Nomads No. 9, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the net from just outside of the box.

The momentum up front for The Nomads was certainly influenced by Steve Evans, who swapped his usual defensive role for an attacking one.  The TNS loanee’s height and strength gave his side a much needed boost for a comeback, completed by Sean Miller, heading in at close distance to make the score 3-3.

The game's tempo was at a high intensity with both sides searching for a winner to cancel out the possibility of extra time.  Monmouth looked strong on the attack, having several shots sail just wide of the goal whilst Steve Evans sent a header just above the crossbar.  The Nomads could have scored when Gary Roberts sent a great cross in but O’Toole couldn’t reach it in front of goal.

The Nomads finally began to take control after Sean Miller scored his second of the day, in what was a brilliant low strike that rocketed into the bottom left corner of the net from outside of the box.  Monmouth’s best chance to score after this goal was a free kick from Dan Macdonald which McCormick did well to catch.

The eighth and final goal of the game came from Gary Roberts who broke through onto goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, and Roberts indeed beat him by slotting the ball below Blackburn.

Despite The Nomads looking all but in the hat for the fourth round, the final six minutes of injury time were not without spectacle.  Gary Roberts went in for a tackle and was shown a red card, meaning The Nomads had to see the final minutes of the third round out with 10 men.  Academy products Sean Cookson and Jack Chambers both made appearances with Cookson making a bursting run down the left wing only to have his shot saved.  Shortly after this chance Referee Ashley Jones blew his whistle for full time confirming that The Nomads would progress through to round 4 of the FAW Welsh Cup in a brilliant cup tie at Deeside.

In a contender for the game of the Third Round, The Nomads had to dig deep to earn victory after going 0-3 down to Monmouth.  A good second half performance was enough to send Nomads to the fourth round.

Match Photos