Nomads see off Rhyl in table topping clash

A stunning 40 yard strike by Ricky Evans and a thumping header from Danny Forde edged Nomads closer to a second successive Huws Gray Alliance title at the sun-drenched Deeside Stadium.

With centre-back Michael Robinson ruled out for the season after breaking an ankle, Nomads were forced to reshuffle their defence allowing Danny Dobbins to move into a central role in the back four. Both Jamie Petrie and Gary O’Toole passed fitness test to take their places in the team.

Despite an eagerness to end a run of league defeats at the hands of the Lilywhites, the home side were content to let Rhyl come at them in the early stages. Ryan Williams and Mike Pritchard probed and prompted while Paul Mooney always suggested a threat when on the ball.

Gary O’Toole was somewhat isolated up front and although proving a handful for Russell Courtney and Stefan Halewood, O’Toole was largely well marshalled by the pair. In fact, Courtney found time to send a powerful header towards Nomads’ goal from a left wing cross only to see John Rushton save at full stretch at his left hand post.

Urged on by a large and vociferous contingent of supporters, Rhyl took the lead in the 28th minute and it was no more than their play deserved. Ryan Williams lined up a free kick outside the penalty box on the left side and, with everyone expecting a cross, the diminutive winger lashed a shot into the far top corner of Rushton’s net to send the Lilywhites’ fans wild.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match but within ten minutes his effort was upstaged by Ricky Evans. Having decided to take the battle to Rhyl, Nomads began to spread the ball about and created a couple of half chances. When O’Toole challenged a defender just inside the Rhyl half of the field, the ball fell to Evans who hit a half volley from fully 40 yards which sailed over the former Nomads ‘keeper Louis Mackin and dropped into the net off the underside of the crossbar leaving the visitors stunned.

Such a goal out of the blue spurred the home side on and attacks on the Rhyl goal became more frequent. The second half began with Nomads on the offensive but gradually Rhyl began to regain control. John Rushton’s handling of long shots and crosses had been exemplary and had taken the sting out of several Rhyl attacks. Dave Forbes fired wide of goal on the turn and the home side had to defend in numbers to keep their title challengers at bay.

The game turned in the 75th minute when Gary O’Toole at last broke free of Halewood’s shackles and worked his way into the Rhyl penalty box before forcing Mackin to finger-tip his shot away for a corner. From Rob Jones’ right-wing flag kick, Danny Forde rose above all others to glance his header wide of the ‘keeper’s right hand and into the corner of the net to give Nomads the lead for the first time in the game.

Two minutes later the Quay almost added another. Ricky Evans won the ball and set up Craig Jones whose through ball found O’Toole in space. The Nomads hit-man ran on into the penalty area before firing across goal and inches wide of the far post. Rhyl counter-attacked and Paul Mooney sent in a fierce drive which Rushton did well to palm away for a corner at his near post.

With time ticking away O’Toole was replaced by James McIntosh. By now the game was rather more open yet Rhyl seemed strangely muted as if resigned to defeat which was confirmed by referee Mark Petch after three minutes of added time. Connah’s Quay now require one win from their two remaining games at home to Cefn Druids on Easter Saturday and away at Penycae a week later.