Nash and Maher send Nomads into last 16

Ben Nash and Ben Maher both scored the all-important goals to give The Nomads a 2-1 win away to JD Cymru South side Trefelin in the JD Welsh Cup third round on Saturday afternoon.

Nash, who was making his 100th competitive appearance for the club, headed home from Rhys Hughes’ corner to open the scoring.

Maher doubled the advantage early in the second half as his deflected strike found its way past Trefelin goalkeeper Alex Pennock.

After both Nash and Tref captain Connor Goldsworthy were sent off, the hosts halved the deficit through Joe Clarke, who converted from the penalty spot. However, The Nomads were able to hold on to book their place in the next round.

Team News
Billy Paynter made just one change from last week’s defeat at Barry Town United as Elliott Dugan replaced Jack Kenny up front. There was also a return to the bench for academy graduate Jayden Tang.

Trefelin manager Andy Hill made two changes from his side’s 2-0 loss to Caerau Ely on Tuesday night as Alex Pennock replaced Aaron Jones inbetween the sticks, while Dan Alfei made way for Roan Piper.

First Half
Maher thought he had found the breakthrough after just 10 minutes played as he fired home into the back of the net, but an offside in the build-up meant the goal was disallowed.

A series of inviting crosses from Jordan Pownall followed, but on all occasions, the ball was inches away from its target.

Elliott Dugan was adamant he should have been awarded a penalty midway through the first half, but the referee opted to show the yellow card to Dugan for simulation instead.

However, nothing could stop the opening goal five minutes before the interval. Rhys Hughes’ teasing corner was met by the head of Ben Nash, who powered home his first goal since February to break the deadlock.

Second Half
There was one change to report before the second half got underway as teenager Jayden Tang replaced Elliott Dugan in attack.

Dan Roberts went close to making it two five minutes after the restart, but his powerful effort from distance was tipped away by Pennock. Roberts was booked for a foul inside the area from the resulting corner.

The Nomads were rewarded for their spells of pressure in the early stages of the second half as Maher doubled the lead by steering the ball home into the bottom corner from Declan Poole’s low drive.

Poole was involved in another dangerous attack moments later as he presented Tang with a slight opportunity, however the substitute’s shot was saved by Pennock.

Callum Bratley got more minutes in the tank as he continued his recovery from a long-term injury sustained in the summer. The midfielder replaced Jordan Pownall, who could certainly walk off with his head held high after a solid performance.

Both sides were then reduced to 10 men as an off-the-ball incident saw both Nash and Tref captain Connor Goldsworthy receive straight red cards.

Following the aftermath of those dismissals, play resumed and Tref were awarded a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time as Lee Trundle was deemed to have been fouled by Maher inside the area.

Joe Clarke stepped up from the spot and made no mistake halving the deficit. However, the home side could not find a late leveller, seeing The Nomads progress into the last 16.

What’s Next?
The Nomads turn their attention back to the JD Cymru Premier top six battle next weekend. Key points will be up for grabs when we visit Newtown on Friday, 22 November at 7:45pm, live on Sgorio.

We were victorious in both of our visits to Latham Park last season as we earned 2-1 and 3-2 victories in Phase One and Phase Two respectively.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer