Nomads Overcome Conditions to Grab Points

On a very heavy pitch against determined opposition the Nomads managed to maintain the neat passing game they regularly utilise and came away comfortable victors in the league encounter between the last two champions of the Cymru Alliance.

The visitors began well with early chances falling to Gary O’Toole and Rob Jones, both of them testing Holden in the Llangefni goal. In the 20th minute, and against the run of play, Kevin Garland (who was briefly a Nomads player four years ago) managed to break free from the Deesiders defence and place a shot wide of both John Rushton and also the near post.

The current league champions continued to dominate possession but failed to create much, finding it difficult to play through the cloying, saturated turf. In the 30th minute, a long ball was played to Jamie Petrie wide on the right, He worked to the byline, cut inside and put a low pass beyond the 'keeper towards the waiting Gary O'Toole who would have netted but, instead, the ball was driven into his own net by Cefni’s centre half Lee Hughes.

Six minutes later, lovely build up play by the visitors, a string of passes and good interchange between O’Toole and Petrie led to Craig Jones scoring well. A 'Tigger' goal is a rarity, but this was a beauty and well worth waiting for, the skipper must have exchanged at least three quick passes before stabbing the ball home.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with Nomads working the ball well yet 'Cefni never gave up and battled well. They came close to getting a goal with chances falling to Sion Owen and Luke O’Mahoney. Then, in the 75th minute, a cross by Rory Courlander aimed at Garland saw 'keeper John Rushton collide with Garland. Against one of the league's 'hard men', our young goalkeeper came out best with Garland needing treatment.

The ridiculous home demands for a penalty received short shrift from referee Andy Harms who had a very good afternoon. Liam Loughlin and David Dempsey came on for the final quarter hour. Liam, back for a second spell with the club, had a shaky start but as soon as he found his rhythm he showed the eye for a pass and holding up ability that are his trademark. From his well judged through ball Jamie Petrie advanced in to steer home a third goal to seal another important away win.

As usual Llangefni were great hosts and we were made to feel welcome. It was a shame to see the former WPL club in such a poor state though, and with less than sixty in attendance and fifteen of those being from the Nomads, then the Ynys Mon capital club have lots of work to do. We wish them well.