Oswell treble ends automatic Europa hopes

The Nomads had their hopes of automatic qualification for UEFA Europa League football ruled out on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten by Newtown.

Nathan Woolfe opened the scoring in the first minute, with a hat-trick from Jason Oswell in the second half securing a dramatic victory for Newtown AFC, despite a second half goal from Callum Morris.

The game was a vital one in The Nomads’ race for third place in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, which may become an automatic Europa League qualification spot pending the result of the JD Welsh Cup final between The New Saints and Airbus.  With second and third also playing each other, as Bala Town were to play to MBi Llandudno, The Nomads’ game was vital in deciding their finishing league position.

The Nomads came into the game off the back of an excellent derby win, whilst Newtown were looking to bounce back from a dramatic 3-2 loss at Llandudno.  Owing to injuries and suspensions which saw George Horan and Danny Harrison out of selection, The Nomads started a side including Chris Churchman, Chris Rimmer and John Disney.  Newtown meanwhile were pleased to welcome back their captain Shane Sutton into their starting line up after a long period of time injured from a leg break.

The game began and it took just thirty seconds for a goal to be scored, when a pass towards Newtown 'keeper Dave Jones came up short, allowing Nathan Woolfe to intercept and slot the ball into an open goal.

The Nomads’ bright start continued during the first ten minutes of the game, with Sean Smith also going close when he sent a shot from the left of the Newtown area into the side netting.

As the half went on, Newtown looked to have recovered from their early concession and went on the attack.  Shane Sutton nearly scored on his return to the side when a free kick went into the Nomads’ area and the Robin’s captain stretched to send the ball towards goal, only for Danby to gain possession for The Nomads.

The game maintained an end-to-end feel throughout the fixture, seen when Danby was forced to punch away a Craig Williams free kick followed by Nick Rushton sending a header just over the Newtown goal.  Rushton was again denied a goal on 26 minutes, when Steffan Edwards of Newtown blocked his effort from around eight yards from goal.

Newtown began to up the pressure on The Nomads’ goal once again, with Jamie Tolley surging into The Nomads area' to split their defence, only for John Danby to save at the last moment before he got his shot away.

Newtown would have found their equaliser before half time if not for Danby’s first performance, which saw him save a low strike from Owen in the 42nd minute for Mitchell to hit the post for Newtown.  Danby was unable to continue his fine form in the second half however, as just prior to half time, he received treatment to an injured thumb, and despite a warm up for the second half, he could not return to the action.  This meant Jon Rushton was substituted on at half time, in his first appearance since re-joining the club.

The second half began and The Nomads were to rue more missed chances when Davies had a one-on-one effort against 'keeper Jones saved, followed by a back post header from Chris Rimmer sailing just over the crossbar.

As the game approached the hour mark, The Nomads felt more and more pressure from Newtown who were working them hard all in departments, seen when Les Davies got into their area only to be intercepted at the last second.

The Nomads sought to boost their chances of holding onto the result with the introduction of Ashley Ruane, who replaced goalscorer Nathan Woolfe.
Ruane had an instant effect on the game, using his pace down the right wing to create a number of chances for his side.

He was involved in one of the biggest goalscoring opportunities himself when Crowther flicked a Davies throw to him infront of goal, only for his headed attempt to mis-direct and go over the Robins’ goal.

Minutes later Newtown finally found the equaliser from an Oswell goal in the 70th minute.  From a free kick from around 25 yards, Oswell lost his marker and headed the ball cleanly into The Nomads’ goal to bring his side level.

With 20 minutes to keep themselves in a position to fight for third place, The Nomads looked to reply and did so after a number of chances in the 77th minute, when a goalmouth scramble saw Paul Linwood flick the ball across the line in a goal that could only be given thanks to the view of the referee’s assistant who determined the ball had crossed the line.

With just over ten minutes to go, the drama showed no sign of stopping at Latham Park, when, from a free kick, Jason Oswell once again pounced in the 80th minute to bring his side level, as Jon Rushton’s save rebounded into the box where he sent the ball into the net.

Just four minutes later Oswell sealed his role as a hat-trick hero, when he rose up inside The Nomads’ area to head the ball low into the net after a period of sustained pressure on The Nomads’ goal.

Despite five minutes of injury time, The Nomads were unable to find a way past a Newtown side who had shown their true quality by coming from behind twice to claim victory. In the frustrated aftermath of the full time whistle, Callum Morris was dimissed by Referee Kris Hames and will now miss the final league game against Bala Town.

The result, combined with Bala Town and MBi Llandudno’s 0-0 draw, confirms The Nomads finish fourth in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League - their highest ever finish in club history.  They will fight for UEFA Europa League football in the first round of play offs against unconfirmed opposition on Saturday 7th May, but must first look to the final game of the season next weekend at home to Bala Town.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall