Macca`s Men Keep Up the Pressure

Overwhelmingly superior in possession, Nomads stretched their lead at the top of the Huws Gray Alliance to seven points with this comfortable victory over battle-weary Rhos Aelwyd. Meanwhile, at Belle Vue, Rhyl were slipping to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Llandudno leaving Mark McGregor's men with the destiny of the league championship in their own hands.

With Ben Alston indisposed owing to a family event and James McIntosh on honeymoon, Liam Loughlin wore the number 2 shirt on his first appearance at the Stadium since May 2009 following his recent transfer from Bala Town. Despite heavy rain overnight the pitch was in remarkably good condition especially on the flanks. Not surprisingly, therefore, Nomads' flying wingman Jamie Petrie was soon into the action skimming past Ricky Wright to set up a chance for Rob Jones as early as the 4th minute.

Rhos struck back quickly and John Rushton was forced to save low down before, at the other end, Alan Hooley's left wing cross was palmed away by visiting goalkeeper Simon Williams. On nine minutes Liam Loughlin fired marginally wide from the inside left channel and five minutes later Michael Robinson chested down a clearance before setting up Rob Jones whose 25 yard effort flew narrowly past the post.

Having dominated the early exchanges it was no surprise when the home side opened the scoring on 17 minutes. Alan Hooley's deep corner was headed back across goal by Robinson and Danny Forde squared the ball back for player-manager Mark McGregor to fire home his seventh goal of the season.

Thereafter, Nomads took a firm hold of the game with Williams having to grab O'Toole's glancing header on his goal line before top scorer O'Toole blazed wide just a few seconds later. Williams was fortunate to earn only a caution when clattering O'Toole on the left-hand edge of the penalty area in the 33rd minute but from the resultant free-kick Rob Jones played the ball square to Nomads' top striker who fired home.

And O'Toole was in the thick of the action once more eight minutes later forcing Williams to parry a fierce shot only for Jamie Petrie to follow up and crack home his 6th goal in the last eight games. There was still time for Danny Forde to hit the back of the net before the break only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

David Dempsey replaced Alan Hooley at half-time and was soon into the action in a reshuffled formation. Despite being forced back for long periods, the visitors kept their shape and tried hard to stem the tide of white shirts that threatened to envelop them. O'Toole shot wide from 20 yards before Forde looked likely to score at the far post but his shot was deflected for a corner kick.

On 70 minutes, Rhos substitute Josh Griffiths was put through by Steve Powell but blazed wide of Rushton's right hand post. When the visitors next came close, in the 73rd minute, they were caught out by the speed of Nomads' response. Rushton played a goal kick to Rowlands who sent Petrie away down the right wing before crossing for O'Toole to net from close range.

The goal deflated Rhos and three minutes later O'Toole completed a second hat-trick in his last three games against tonight's opponents following more good work by Petrie. Still the visitors plugged away and Rushton had to save from Pugh's close range effort before teenage substitute Rhys Healey shimmied past two defenders only for his dainty chip to evade both goalkeeper Williams and the crossbar.

With eight minutes remaining Michael Robinson saw his header glance off a Rhos defender on its way into the top right hand corner to give the champions a sixth goal and seal a win as comfortable as any enjoyed this season.

Nomads: John Rushton, Liam Loughlin (Rhys Healey 68), Jack Rowlands, Mark McGregor, Michael Robinson, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie, Danny Forde (Jordan Beck 80), Gary O'Toole, Rob Jones, Alan Hooley (David Dempsey 45). Substitute not used: Aled Reece.

Cautioned: Rhys Healey

Attendance: 105