Boxing Day delight for Nomads

The Nomads secured a Boxing Day victory over local rivals Airbus, defeating them 3-0.  A second half brace from Les Davies and a Matty Williams strike was enough to beat Airbus and keep The Nomads level on points with second-placed Bala Town.

The boxing day game was the first of The Nomads’ annual festive fixture card which involves back-to-back league fixtures against fellow Flintshire club Airbus.

The game was the two sides’ first meeting since May, when they went head-to-head in the Europa League play-off final in which The Nomads emerged victorious.

John Danby returned from injury to start for The Nomads, joining the likes of Lewis Short and Sean Smith in the starting lineup.  Former Nomad Ryan Edwards started for Airbus along with prolific striker Tony Gray.

The game began and windy conditions made for a scrappy and difficult first half. Airbus retained more possession in the game’s opening stages, but failed to create any major chances with The Nomads’ defence well organised.

In the 13th minute, Jake Hulley latched onto a misplaced Nomads pass, but was brought down with a well-timed tackle by Sean Smith inside The Nomads' area.

After 20 minutes, The Nomads protested for a free kick on the edge of the Airbus area after Nathan Woolfe was fouled, but the advantage was played, leading to a Wes Baynes shot going wide for a goal kick.

In the 28th minute, Woolfe was again fouled on the edge of the Airbus area, with the resulting free kick from Baynes going just wide of the top right corner of 'keeper Ryan Nield’s net.

As the half went on, The Nomads grew into the game, making for an end-to-end conclusion to the first 45 minutes.  The Nomads had two corners cleared by the Airbus defence before Jake Hulley missed the chance to score a header just yards from The Nomads' goal.

To the relief of all involved in the fixture, the wind died down allowing for much better football to be played in the second half.  During half time Matty Owen replaced Callum Morris for The Nomads.

The Nomads restarted and it took them just four minutes to take the lead, when Les Davies connected with a Wes Baynes cross around five yards from the Airbus goal to send the ball past Ryan Nield at his near post.

Although The Nomads were in front, the game remained evenly contested as Airbus searched for an equaliser.  After a great passing movement involving most of The Nomads' team, Nathan Woolfe hit the crossbar from 20 yards in the 57th minute.

Matty Williams gave The Nomads a much-needed two goal cushion in the 62nd minute, striking the ball low into the net from around 15 yards.  From this point on, The Nomads would go on to dominate play despite Airbus’ best efforts to get back into the derby.

Nathan Woolfe rcontinued to threaten, with his cross towards Les Davies scooped over the goal by The Nomads' striker in a good opportunity for The Nomads to find a third goal.

Airbus made changes including the introduction of former Nomad Ryan Fraughan for Jake Hulley, but this did little to affect the game with The Nomads well on top.

As the game entered its final stages Les Davies got his brace and secured The Nomads a derby day win, when he connected with another Nathan Woolfe cross to slot home from eight yards.

In a highlight of the game for the club and player, The Nomads then brought on 16-year-old academy product Conor Harwood for his Welsh Premier League debut, as he replaced Nathan Woolfe.

After just two minutes of additional time, The Nomads’ derby day win was confirmed, with the club able to reflect on a professional performance in which their opponents were given little opportunity to get into the game during the second half.

Following the game, Andy Morrison said "It was a professional performance - we defended correctly in the first half against a very strong wind and we were very clinical in the second half when we created countless opportunities with the wind behind us."

The Nomads now move onto their home derby against Airbus, taking place on Friday 30 December at Deeside for a 19:45pm kick off.

Match Report by Will Catterall