Quay Sunk By Early Strikes

Nomads suffered their first pre-season friendly defeat for two years at the hands of Runcorn Town, newly promoted to the North West Counties League. Yet it could have been so different had a number of second half events gone the way of the home side.

Playing towards the river end of the ground the visitors were quick to strike when Ryan Malone sent a header from a deep cross past John Rushton as early as the third minute. That seemed little more than a temporary setback, however, as Nomads gained the initiative to mount a series of attacks and an equalising goal was not long in coming. A defensive slip allowed Rhys Healey a half chance and the teenager reacted quickly to fire home from an acute angle past Runcorn keeper Karl Wills.

Runcorn continued to probe, looking dangerous down both wings, and it was not long before they were back in front when Scott Burton supplied a clinical 18th minute finish. And a little more than 60 seconds later they found themselves 3-1 to the good when the ball rebounded off Jack Rowlands and Ryan Malone was quick to pounce for his second goal of the afternoon. With four goals inside the first 20 minutes on a hot afternoon the pace understandably slackened and both sides were glad to hear the half-time whistle.

Thereafter, the home side increased their threat and were unfortunate to be denied a goal in the 56th minute. Shaun Roscoe floated a direct free-kick into the Runcorn box and watched as the ball sailed into the net but his effort was ruled out by the referee's assistant, presumably for offside.

Five minutes later, and soon after coming on, Louis Mackin was forced into a fine save at close range and as the ball rebounded upfield George Baxter was unlucky with a curling effort that Wills grasped. On 67 minutes Andy Alston was felled in the penalty area but Danny Forde's spot kick was well saved by Wills diving to his left. Nomads used five substitutes including yet another promising teenager in Stephen Belli who quickly showed his potential with a run and shot that was blocked for a corner.

A clever Rhys Healey back-heel in the 79th minute set-up Ben Collins but the 'keeper tipped his shot over the bar and five minutes from the end, and following another great run, Belli saw his effort strike the inside of the far post and rebound across the face of the Runcorn goal.

NOMADS: John Rushton, Jack Rowlands, Ben Collins, Mark McGregor, Andy Alston, Craig Jones, Jamie Petrie, Shaun Roscoe, Rhys Healey, George Baxter, Rob Jones.

Substitutes: Ben Alston (for Rowlands 57), Louis Mackin (for Rushton 57), Danny Forde (for Rob Jones 65), Stephen Belli (for Roscoe 75) and Jordan Beck (for Baxter 83).