The New Saints end Nomads unbeaten run

The Nomads' unbeaten run was ended with a 3-0 defeat by The New Saints on Sunday afternoon.  After an even first half, goals from Fletcher, Seargeant and Routledge saw TNS retain their 100% record.

The Nomads came into the game off the back of a tough 0-0 draw with Cardiff Met, and a midweek Nathaniel MG Cup victory over Rhyl, which confirmed a semi final against The New Saints themselves.

However, all focus was on the Dafabet Welsh Premier league, with The Nomads looking to extend their record to thirteen games unbeaten and stay second, whilst TNS aimed to go 15 points clear in pursuit of an unprecedented early title-win.

The Nomads started a lineup including former Saints players Matty Williams and Michael Wilde, whilst The New Saints lined up with the likes of Brobbel, Pryce and Saunders.

The game began and play was even up until the ninth minute, when Aeron Edwards broke into The Nomads' area with Jay Owen making a sweeping clearance to deny him.  The Nomads meanwhile looked to attack via Woolfe, who made some dangerous runs down the wing.

Much of the first half was a stalemate, with both teams looking to create but cancelling each other out in the process.  In the 30th minute, Tom Field sent a free kick around 25 yards from the TNS goal wide in a good chance for The Nomads.

The Nomads continued to perform well in the face of the Champions, containing anything that came their way with the likes of Matty Owen, Sean Smith and John Disney all effective in halting attacks from the hosts.

After some late pressure from TNS which saw Darlington send a powerful volley wide, half time saw the game goalless, with Nomads very much in the game.

The second half began and TNS made their intentions clear, with an angled shot from Brobbel forcing a great save from Danby to stop his side from going 1-0 down.

The New Saints showed more attacking flair in the second half, but The Nomads continued to defend well and limit their chances.  This was to change when Seargeant and Fletcher were subbed on for the Saints, with the latter going onto the break the deadlock in the 68th minute.

After some effective passing in The Nomads' half, Fletcher latched onto a pass near the Nomads area, and dribbled in it to slot past Danby from around eight yards.

This was a big blow to The Nomads who had been hopeful of taking a result away from Park Hall.  In an effort to equalise, Les Davies was brought on in place of Matty Williams but his introduction was just one minute before TNS’ second.

Seargeant secured super sub status along with Fletcher in the 77th minute when he connected with a cutting cross from Pryce to send the ball into the bottom left corner of The Nomads' goal.

This put The New Saints in a comfortable position to see out the game, with Nick Rushton introduced in place of Michael Wilde for Nomads.

The New Saints struck again in the 86th minute, again getting on the end of a low pass into The Nomads' area to slot home from yards out and confirm what had turned into a comprehensive win for his side.

Full time came after three minutes of injury time, ending The Nomads' unbeaten run but leaving them second in the table, level on points with third-placed Bangor. Despite the disappointment on the day, The Nomads can reflect on a run that had seen their last defeat in July against Serbian side FK Vojvodina.



The Nomads will look to return to winning ways away at Aberystwyth Town next Saturday 5th November for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match Photos

Match Report by Will Catterall