Nomads edged out by The Hatters

Stockport County FC inflicted The Nomads first loss of their pre season campaign at Edgeley Park on Saturday afternoon, with the only goal of the game coming from Abs Baggie in the 56th minute.

This was a landmark game in The Nomads' history, as it saw the club make the trip to the impressive facilities of Stockport County's 10,000+ capacity Edgeley Park, who are currently managed by former Chester and Colwyn Bay Manager Neil Young.

The Nomads came into the game undefeated in the pre season, with previous wins against Barnton, Conwy and Porthmadog. However they were well aware of the challenge of a side such as Stockport, which included former Airbus man Glenn Rule.

The Nomads started with a strong line up, seeing George Horan captaining a side consisting of Sean Miller, Kevin McIntyre and Jamie Crowther. There were fewer options on the bench for Jay Catton and Allan Bickerstaff, due to The Nomads Academy participating in a tournament at Bolton Wanderers.

The game began with a competitive edge as both teams tried to get a hold of the match. The Nomads summer signing, Callum Morris, made an attempt to surge forward onto the County goal, but was intercepted in doing so. Minutes later, Sefton Gonzales of Stockport County had a headed effort go over for a Nomads goal kick.

One of the best goal scoring opportunities came when Joe Garvin struck an effort on target, but John Danby saved well to push the ball out for a corner. Callum Morris and Michael Wilson then made good passing movement in the Stockport final third but were impeded by the linesmans flag.

In the middle of the first half Stockport began to press The Nomads, seen when The Nomads were forced to defend two successive corners before Glenn Rule saw his effort on goal float over for a goal kick. The Nomads did not only defend in the first half, but attacked well with Miller and Rushton who could not manage to find a breakthrough against a staunch County defence.

The end of the first half came with the score 0-0, which generated consensus of a fair score between the teams given their similar playing style.

The second half began with the sides unchanged, with the first major event 56 minutes into the game when County favourite Abs Baggie cut through The Nomads' defence and was able to dribble past Danby and slot the ball into the net on an angle.

The Nomads were 1-0 down but looked to reply immediately when Michael Wilson pressed into the Stockport end and won a corner. Glenn Rule continued his key role in the midfield for the home side when he got as far as the by-line in the Nomads area before Wilson dispossessed.

In one of The Nomads best chances, Sean Miller found himself in a great position around 12 yards in front of goal, but his effort went just wide of keeper Hurst's goal. This was typical of The Nomads' afternoon on the attack, with good play just not quite converting into the goal the team needed.

Substitutions for the Nomads saw Crowther, Miller and Wilson make way for a Trialist, Riley and Aron Williams. These changes sustained Nomads pressure on the Stockport goal, yet the team were left rueing their luck once again when Nick Rushton was set to receive a great through ball in the Stockport box, only for the tenacious home defence to clear the chance at the last moment.

This was the ultimate event of the game with full time declared a few minutes later, and although the game ended with Nomads first loss of the pre season it had also been a thorough workout for a team well on their way for entering the Welsh Premier League prepared and ready to go.

The pre season continues next week at Warrington Town for a 3.00pm kick off, before the ultimate pre season game at Deeside which sees The Nomads take on Wrexham on Sunday 16th.

Match Photos