Nothing for Nomads in Saints home win

On Friday evening, The Nomads travelled to TNS, where they were defeated 2-0. A Scott Quigley brace was enough to secure a home win, with his goals coming in the ninth and 79th minute.

After a disappointing defeat at the hands of Bangor City midweek, The Nomads knew they were in for a challenging fixture against the current League, Welsh Cup and theWord Cup champions. In the light of this, a strong starting line up was announced including Les Davies, George Horan and Wes Baynes.

For The New Saints, the household names of Kai Edwards and Christian Seargant were tasked with maintaining TNS’ unbeaten start to the 2015/16 season.  One name in the TNS line up was instantly recognised by the travelling Nomads support in Ryan Edwards, a Nomads academy product-turned full time professional after signing for the Saints in January last year.

The game began and it didn’t take long for the home side to take control, with a strong passing style of play established early on.  Simon Spender ran onto a loose ball near The Nomads' area in the 5th minute, but John Danby collected.

TNS then forced a corner and were unable to convert the chance, but a minute later Quigley surged into The Nomads' area, beating their defensive line to strike low past Danby’s left side and into the net.

After this impressive individual goal from Quigley, the Saints could have doubled their lead a minute later with a free kick on the edge of The Nomads' area if not for Danby punching the ball away.

Ashley Ruane went on a run for The Nomads in the 15th minute, but was dispossessed before he could get close to goal. Paul Linwood and George Horan then denied TNS further goal scoring opportunities with a well timed tackle and defensive block respectively.

In the 24th minute, Ruane once again attempted to get forward, but Phil Baker delivered a clean tackle on the halfway line.

Les Davies, who took on a more defensive role against a TNS side who had The Nomads in their own half for the majority of the match, played a long ball to Rushton upfield who couldn’t connect with the pass.

With chances for The Nomads rare in the first half, Kevin McIntyre attempted to change that with two runs down the left wing towards the Saints goalmouth, yet The Nomads' defender was tackled on both occasions.

After Les Davies sent a long throw into the TNS area which was quickly cleared, a largely quiet first half came to an end. Following Quigley’s goal in the ninth minute, TNS played a fluid passing game in the Nomads half but with few chances, Nomads unable to maintain possession for long enough to create any real equalising opportunity.

At half time, The Nomads made a change in replacing Kevin McIntyre with Sean Smith.  This didn’t have an immediate impact with the first chance of the second half a wide header in front of goal from Ryan Edwards.

The Nomads showed a better attacking desire after the interval, with a free kick awarded around four yards from the TNS area after Davies was brought down on a run.  Wes Baynes stepped up to take the free kick in the 55th minute, but his effort was whipped wide of goal.

Les Davies then sent another long throw into the TNS area, which was flicked towards goal by a Linwood header then quickly cleared by the Saints defence. Davies then shot wide in one of The Nomads' best chances of the game.

After this phase of attack from The Nomads, the game reverted into its usual state of dominance from TNS which restricted The Nomads' play.  Les Davies tried to lay on Rushton in the 69th minute, but the pass was intercepted.

Wes Baynes then made a great defensive header inside Danby’s six yard box to fend off a TNS chance. Nomads then made their second change of the game, bringing on Chambers in place of Ashley Ruane.

With fifteen minutes left to play only one goal separated the sides, yet both sides showed little sign of scoring with TNS comfortable in possession against The Nomads.

The game was then however put away in the 79th minute, when a Callum Morris throw went straight to an unmarked Quigley who then ran 20 yards towards goal, rounded Danby and put his shot away after a brief hesitation.

After another two chances for Quigley which he sent wide and into the side netting, the game was brought to an end by referee Huw Jones.  The game hadn’t been an encapsulating one, with the champions comfortable for large parts of the evening in which The Nomads couldn’t create any major chances.

The Nomads now look ahead to their next fixture at home to Aberystwyth Town on Saturday 17 October, for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos