Robins double ruins Nomads opening day

The Nomads lost their first game of the 2015/16 Dafabet Welsh Premier League Season 2-0 at the hands of Newtown AFC.  Neil Mitchell put the Robins in front in the 19th minute, before their second came through an own goal in the 50th.

As the opening game of the season, this was a highly anticipated one around Deeside as with free admission it gave Nomads fans a chance to see summer signings such as Les Davies, Ashley Ruane and John Danby in competitive action.

Newtown, fresh from their Europa League campaign which saw them progress to the 2nd qualifying round after defeating Valletta FC, brought an ever strong squad consisting of the likes of Sutton and Boundford.

The game kicked off and it was clear from the start that both teams were to bring an attacking approach to the game. In a sign of things to come, Neil Mitchell sent a looping shot towards goal which John Danby caught, before Davies saw a low shot saved.

Luke Bounford made use of his long throw, sending one into the Nomads area which skimmed a couple of Newtown heads which could not make a full connection. Miller then played a great ball to Ruane, who had his shot blocked inside the area.

Newtown then had the first major chance of the game when Oswell leapt up to meet a cross from Boundford and headed just over the crossbar in the 12th minute. The game also had a physical edge through the aerial battles of Davies and Sutton which were a frequent occurrence in the first half.

Newtown eventually found the breakthrough in the 19th minute when Neil Mitchell sent a lobbing shot over John Danby from 40 yards out. This was a spectacular way to put Newtown 1-0 up, in a certain goal of the month – and perhaps year contender.

The quality of the Robins side continued to shine through after minutes later, Danby was forced to tip a ball above the crossbar. Nomads attempted to push back into the game but came up against a staunch defence, seen when both Miller and Wilson saw good balls into the box collected by Newtown keeper Jones.

Newtown again threatened in the 34th minute when Matthew Hearsey saw his effort sail just above the crossbar, and this chance was followed by a cutting Newtown ball into the Nomads area, but luckily for the home side it could not be reached by Oswell nor Boundford.

No Nomads chance could change the score line before the interval, where Newtown went in 1-0 and deservedly so. The first half had been an entertaining one but also a frustrating watch for Nomads fans who felt their team just hadn’t clicked into gear.

The second half began and Nomads hopes of a comeback were severely dented when five minutes in, Craig Williams sent a great free kick into the area which deflected off Linwood and beat John Danby on the left post to gift Newtown a 2-0 lead.

The Nomads looked to instantly retaliate via a free kick around 20 yards from goal, and although Callum Morris got it on target, David Jones was on hand to push it out. Throughout the second half Nomads continuously attacked but were met by great defensive efforts from Newtown, seen when Les Davies had a shot blocked from just five yards out on the hour mark.

Nomads fortunes then took a turn for the worst when Danny Harrison made a challenge on Craig Williams and was shown a straight red by referee Mark Petch. With one man less, Nomads still attempted to get back into the game through a number of corner balls, which couldn’t be converted into a decisive finish inside a busy Newtown box.

The best chance of Nomads game came in the 73rd minute when Wilson flicked a ball to Crowther who saw his effort go above the crossbar despite being just 5 yards from the goal. It was at this point that many began to feel it just wasn’t to be Nomads day.

Changes were made in the form of Rimmer replacing Wilson, but this defensive change did not stop Newtown nearly earning a third goal in the 77th minute when Owen had his shot blocked from just a few yards out.

A double substitution of Rushton and Smith in place of McIntyre and Ruane gave Nomads a boost late on in the game, when after sending some great deliveries into the box, Rushton found himself clear in front of the Newtown goal but couldn’t get his shot away.

This was to be Nomads last real effort in front of goal, as in the additional 4 minutes at the end of the game Davies and Smith’s late runs came to nothing. Newtown’s win was then confirmed by the full time whistle, which put to an end a bad day at the office for Nomads and a win for Newtown which none could argue against.

The Reds will now seek to put the result right against Carmarthen Town next week, kicking off at 2:30pm on Saturday the 29th August at Richmond Park. A week later they will be back at Deeside, hosting Haverford West County AFC.

Match Photos