Rhys Healey got Nomads off the mark with a 1st minute goal, then on 22 minutes a Ricky Evans penalty was blocked but Dean Canning was on hand to stab in the rebound. Second half goals came from a Mark McGregor header (61) with James McShane (66) pulling one back for Runcorn.

The season came to the Deeside Stadium on a calm evening, but on a very grassy pitch.

With Jamie Petrie on Holiday, Rob Jones working and Gary O’Toole unwell, we took on the only side to beat us pre season  for two campaigns. Runcorn were a big physical and uncompromising side who certainly didn’t treat this as a pre season affair. We used six second half substitutes and so did the visitors. However Nomads created enough chances to have scored ten and won very well.

A blistering start by the hosts saw Ricky Evans flick a pass to Rhys Healey who clipped the ball across keeper Tyrer, all inside 50 seconds. The same two combined on seven minutes with Healey racing across the edge of the area and beating Tyrer with a cross shot that Burton blocked on the line. Next Dean Canning made a strong run into the box and struck a fierce shot that Tyrer pushed out for a defender to clear.

Runcorn were strong and counter attacked with pace, two time English Football golden boot James McShane forced John Rushton into a good stop on the quarter hour when he spread well to block. New signing Chris Rowntree showed some neat touches and passed well as others struggled to move the ball over the very long surface.

A Runcorn defender slipped in possession and Rhys was one on one with Tyrer who saved well with his legs. Mark McGregor saw a defender head his goal bound effort off the line from the resulting corner. The ball was crossed back in and Macca would have scored, but Burton clumsily grabbed him round the neck and hauled him off the path of the ball. A clear penalty that Ricky Evans struck well enough but Tyrer dived to parry out. Dean Canning was quick and first on hand to net the rebound. 

Nomads defended well and needed too, as Runcorn moved well in midfield and had a threat up front in McShane and Pearson. But Nomads had the edge, and from another good Healey run, Ricky Evans saw a combination of Tyrer and Spearitt get his shot to safety. Healey’s first long throw of the home campaign went to Rowntree, whose firm header whistled just over the bar. The last chance of the half came when we gave away possession in our own midfield and a quick Waldron cross was headed against the bar by Pearson.

Friendlies are often spoiled by mass substitutions and I was relieved to see each side make just one, after the interval. We brought George Baxter on for Ricky Evans. Runcorn seemed to have upped a gear and a neat Pearson pass sent Kinsey in to force a low save from John Rushton.  On 50 minutes came the raft of substitutions I had feared. Runcorn changed five players and we brought on Aled Reece and Jordan Beck. Healey and Canning combined, to allow the latter to steer a shot towards the inside of the near post, only for Latham to get back and scoop clear. On the hour, Tigger put in a cross that saw Mark McGregor avoid the bumping and jostling to power home with a firm header.

Jamie Wynne came on and we continued to have the edge in a good end to end encounter. However, Runcorn reduced the arrears when Malone got past the defender and had a crisp shot well blocked by Rushton, only for James McShane to show why he has scored 126 goals in 142 appearances, by ghosting in to net the rebound.

When Ryan Edwards and Ryan Jones came on we finished with seven under 19’s on the pitch. Still we made further chances as Jordan Beck put in a great cross that Jamie Wynne narrowly headed over and Rhys Healey had the last contribution with a pacy run and shot just wide.

Nomads First Half Team:-  RUSHTON. ALSTON, HOOLEY, MCGREGOR, DOBBINS, C JONES. HEALEY, FORDE, CANNING, EVANS, ROWNTREE.

Nomads Second Half Team:- RUSHTON, ALSTON, MCGREGOR, RY JONES, DOBBINS, C  JONES, BECK. BAXTER, WYNNE, HEALEY, EDWARDS
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