All level in battle with Bangor

A wet and windy February afternoon saw The Nomads draw 1-1 with the visiting Bangor City FC.  The Nomads took the lead via Rob Jones in the 36th minute, Sam Hart equalising for the Citizens in the 61st.

Many pointed towards this match as pivotal in the play off conference, with Bangor looking to continue their momentum in the league after a 3-2 win against Cefn Druids.  The Nomads came into the game looking for their first win of phase 2, following a draw with Rhyl FC.  Both teams had a run of four games without a loss.

The game began and it was the visitors who started strongest. Former Nomad Lee Healey threatened on the left hand side of the Nomads area, but was fended off by Jack Riley. The same Bangor man then had a shot on target which McCormick caught well. The weather was a key element to the game, with the pitch muddy in parts, which led to some players losing the ball and slipping over. This happened to Apai Ukuno as he tried to breakthrough on goal.

The Nomads grew into the game, with Fraughan feeding Forbes near the Bangor area to shoot and have his shot blocked. A goal looked certain for Healey when he had the ball crossed to him in good space and only a yard from the goal line, but the forward could not get a hold of the ball to shoot.Sean Miller ran into the Bangor area and had the first proper Nomads chance, which went just over the crossbar.

Bangor were the team with more chances during the first half hour of the game, and may have scored if not for Riley, who blocked a Bangor chance that was heading straight for the goal.

The Nomads took the lead somewhat against the run of play, when they were rewarded a free kick around 35 yards out. Fraughan took the kick and the ball went back out of the area to Rob Jones, who sent the ball floating over Keeper Connor Roberts into the top right corner of the net. This goal significantly boosted Nomads play as they attacked more, seen when Apai Ukuno nearly tapped the ball in from a long throw into the Bangor area.

The second half began much more evenly than the first, with Fraughan having a free kick effort go just wide of Bangor’s left post. End to end play was frequent during the second half, with Fraughan having a shot blocked in the same passage of play that saw Bangor hit the side netting. Declan Walker sent a dangerous cross into the box which McCormick safely latched onto. Bangor equalised with a similarly excellent strike to Rob Jones goal, when Sam Hart sent his effort over McCormick and into the goal.

At 1-1 the game became highly entertaining, with Sion Edwards coming close to giving his side the lead when he hit the underside of the crossbar with a strike. David Forbes and keeper Roberts tangled in the Bangor box, but referee Kevin Parry dismissed claims for a penalty from Nomads. Substitutions saw Alan Bull and Kieran Gaul replace Fraughan and Forbes, with Horan coming off injured at half time to be replaced by Giglio.

Bangor threatened The Nomads' area constantly, but Steve Evans stood firm, allowing a Bangor chance to be safely collected by McCormick. Sean Miller went on a surging run forward but was swept away by Roberts.

When 3 minutes of injury time were indicated, scrappy play had already ensued. Nomads last chance came when Jones broke onto goal to be dispossessed by Roberts. Bangor had a free kick successfully headed out by Evans.

Despite both sides’ labours for a win, the game ended with the score 1 all. Overall it was a fair result for both teams to come away with something in a match well battled.

The Nomads are now five games unbeaten, but seek their first win of phase 2 down in Carmarthen next week on Saturday the 28th February, for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos