Nomads earn a point at Park Hall

The first ever game for The Nomads in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League Championship Conference ended in a 0-0 draw with champions, The New Saints.

The game was a historic fixture for the away side, who had reached the top six of the Welsh Premier League after defeating TNS by two goals to nil a fortnight ago at Deeside Stadium.

There was more reason for the Club to be enthused, with the official opening of its brand new 3G facility, launched by Wales manager Chris Coleman.

The New Saints also came into the game with confidence having recently retained the Word Cup against Denbigh Town.

Referee Mark Petch blew his whistle to start the game, and Sean Miller instantly attacked after Connell Rawlinson lost the ball in his own half, but the Saints recovered to stave off any danger.

The New Saints came close to goal in one of their first efforts, when a cross into The Nomads' area was pushed away by Danby before Kai Edwards’
shot went wide.

Despite both sides’ efforts, there were no major goal scoring opportunities during the opening of the game with both sides unable to find an early breakthrough.

In the twelfth minute, Nathan Woolfe earned the first corner of the game when his shot was deflected wide off a Saints’ defender.  The corner was however cancelled out when Les Davies met with 'keeper Harrison on his goal line, prompting a free kick to the home side and a booking for Davies.

As the half went on, The Nomads grew into the game and established an extremely organised defensive style of play which would remain in place for the rest of the match. This was seen when Marriott, Wilde and Mullan were all denied sight of the Nomads goal by a determined Nomads in their white away strip.

The second half started similarly to the first with an absence of any goal threatening action. Simon Spender sent a well placed cross into The Nomads' area, but Horan rose up to head it clear.

With an hour in the game gone, TNS had just 30 minutes to find a goal, and did so twice in the space of five minutes – but both were ruled offside.

Christian Seargeant surged towards The Nomads' area and sent a powerful shot towards goal, but this was edged out for a corner by Callum Morris, the subsequent kick then cleared by captain Horan.

The Nomads began to frustrate the Saints more and more, even holding more possession in the home sides half, with Davies and Miller having efforts on goal, which were managed comfortably by Harrison.

In the 83rd minute Aeron Edwards sent a precise low strike towards goal, but John Danby went low to save, continuing a fine individual performance in the game.

The travelling Nomads support knew they were close to another famous result, but did not welcome a minimum of four minutes injury time added to the end of the game.

In these extra minutes The Saints launched one last attack, which saw Seargeant curl a great effort into the Nomads area only for Danby to come out and save again.

Shortly after full time was reached and Nomads were able to leave Oswestry with a well earned point – the first time in 7 games at Park Hall they have claimed anything from TNS.

Although the game was no classic encounter, The Nomads can reflect on a fantastic defensive performance which kept the Champions at bay.

The Nomads now look onto the JD Welsh Cup fourth round versus Buckley Town at Deeside stadium on Friday 5 February, for a 7:30pm kick off.

Match Photos