Nomads conquer Cardiff to reach semi finals

The Nomads defeated Cardiff Metropolitan University by two goals to nil on Saturday evening live on S4C. Goals from Nathan Woolfe and Callum Morris were enough to overcome a tenacious and organised Cardiff Met outfit.

This was a game of huge proportions for both sides, who knew they were only two games away from the most prestigious fixture in Welsh Football; The Welsh Cup final.

Standing in The Nomads' way were Cardiff Met, who sat atop the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League and came into the game on the back of three consecutive wins.

The Nomads also arrived in Cardiff with reason to be confident after two big Dafabet Welsh Premier League wins over Newtown and Airbus UK. They announced a strong side including Les Davies, George Horan and Chris Churchman, who made his Nomads debut from the bench.

The game kicked off and it was The Nomads who attacked first, with Les Davies and Robbie Pary moving upfield but without creating a major chance.

Five minutes into the game, Les Davies and Wes Baynes had the opportunity to send long throws into the Cardiff Met half, and did so but the Cardiff Met defence held strong.

The first real chance of the game fell to Cardiff Met, when Eliot Evans sent a shot just wide of The Nomads' goal on nine minutes.

Wes Baynes then went on a run through the centre of the Cardiff half, and forced a corner which Fuller, in goal for the home side, successfully defended.

With around 30 minutes played, the home side gained confidence and came close to scoring on several occasions. Eliot Evans made The Nomads sweat with three dangerous free kicks which curled into their area, but the away defence managed to keep the scores at nil-nil.

With 45 minutes played, it seemed a given that the interval would begin with the game goalless, however, The Nomads scored at a vital moment in the first minute of injury time in the first half.

Wes Baynes sent a free kick into the Cardiff area, which Les Davies managed to flick goalwards, allowing Nathan Woolfe to tap the ball in from under the bar - his second goal in two games.

The half time score flattered The Nomads who had been on the back foot against Cardiff Met at times, but nevertheless gave the Deeside-based club a great advantage going into the second half.

With the second half underway, Cardiff immediately made a bid for an equaliser with an attack on The Nomads' goal, but Robbie Parry intercepted in time.

On 56 minutes, Callum Morris gifted The Nomads a two-goal cushion. After a sustained period of pressure on the Cardiff goalmouth, Callum Morris latched on to a George Horan pass before slamming his effort goalwards - the ball was tipped onto the crossbar, but Morris followed in and was able to slot the ball into the net from just yards out.

The home side were down but far from out, seen when Roscrow had a low shot deflected and saved by Danby. On 71 minutes a Cardiff Met cross glided across The Nomads' goal but wasn't converted due to a lack of home shirts in The Nomads' box.

Chris Churchman was then given his Nomads debut replacing Woolfe, following a previous substitution which saw Ruane replace Parry.

With a two goal lead, The Nomads were able to use their strength and experience to hold out for a place in the semi finals.

Ruane almost scored The Nomads' third, when he ran clear onto the Cardiff goal but was tackled by a sweeping challenge from 'keeper Fuller.

Cardiff fought til the very end, seen when Evans, who enjoyed a great individual performance, sent an effort over The Nomads' crossbar.

After an additional three minutes of injury time, referee Mark Petch blew his whistle for full time and the Nomads had their semi final place confirmed.

The draw for the semi finals happened immediately after the game and results were:

The New Saints vs The Nomads
Port Talbot Town vs Airbus UK

Ties are to be played on Saturday 2nd April 2016 with both matches at a neutral venue, the venues are to be confirmed.

Andy Morrison's reaction to the result and Semi-Final draw can be seen below;