Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads all but confirm their place in Europe after a 2-0 win against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus thanks to first half goals from Josh Williams and Paulo Mendes.

The club now await the FAW decision regarding Penybont's point deduction in the coming weeks to see whether our place in Europe can be fully confirmed.

Neil Gibson’s first game in charge of Nomads ended in defeat to The Archers but there was to be no frustration this time as his side bagged another massive three points to extend the unbeaten Cymru Premier run to eight games.

Josh Williams opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a composed strike before Paulo Mendes doubled the lead on the stroke of half time to give Nomads daylight heading into the second half.

Form
The Nomads came into this game having remained unbeaten in all seven of their Phase Two fixtures and have taken a strong grip on second place and have automatic European Qualification in their sights. Victories over Newtown and Bala in recent weeks leave Nomads on the verge of Europe with fellow European challengers Cardiff Met and Bala on a poor run of form, The Nomads have taken full advantage and have not slipped up during the split. Penybont have looked like the only side to challenge Nomads for the European spot but a likely six point deduction heading their way really gives Nomads the edge heading into the final few fixtures of the season.


Team News
Neil Gibson made just the one change to his Nomads side who beat Bala last Friday as Joe Malkin was paired alongside Jack Kenny up front, replacing the injured Harry Franklin.

Christian Edwards made two changes to his Cardiff Met side that lost out to Penybont last weekend as both Tom Price and CJ Craven replaced Charles Corsby and Cian Williams.

The First Half
The Nomads nearly took the lead inside just two minutes after a dangerous free kick from out wide was delivered into the box towards Ben Nash who jumped highest and headed goalwards but his attempt was narrowly over the top.

It was a somewhat quiet opening 15 minutes but Nomads evidently looked on top and were more creative in the final third. A wicked low ball across the face of goal destined to be turned home sailed through a number of bodies and out for a goal kick.

Josh Williams then stood over a wide free kick which was swung in towards the back post looking for George Horan, the Captain met the ball with his head but could only send his header over the bar.

Josh Williams grabbed his first goal of the season as The Nomads went ahead on the half hour mark and they went ahead in some style with a well worked move. Callum Morris spotted Aron Williams on the right and the winger delivered a pinpoint ball into Josh Williams who got in front of his marker and buried a powerful shot into the bottom corner past Met keeper Alex Lang.

The Nomads then doubled their lead on the stroke of half time thanks to Paulo Mendes. Aron Williams got free of his man down the right after some poor defending from the hosts and found an unmarked John Disney whose excellent cross into Mendes allowed the Portuguese attacker to place a cool header beyond Lang to make it 2-0 with the last kick of the half.

The Second Half
A swift attacking Nomads move almost led to Josh Williams’ brace at the start of the second half. Paulo Mendes started things off, dancing his way through three Met defenders and then playing a one-two with Joe Malkin which saw Malkin release Williams through on goal but a fine save from Alex Lang prevented Williams from slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Met did have a solid spell of play and were posing a serious attacking threat. Emlyn Lewis was denied by a great Andy Firth save before Harry Owen was found in space inside the area but instead of going for goal, Owen opted to cross the ball which allowed Nomads to clear the ball, leaving Owen’s Met teammates frustrated.

The Archers had their best chance of the game in the 65th minute as CJ Craven switched the ball to Eliot Evans who had time to pick his spot but his powerful shot was straight at Firth who showed quick reflexes to tip it over the bar.

Another chance went begging for Met as Chris Baker played in full back Kyle McCarthy who made a driving run into the area and looked to curl one past Firth at the near post but Firth got down low to make another crucial save and keep his clean sheet alive.

The Nomads then made a double substitution as Luca Hogan and Callum Bratley were introduced in place of Jack Kenny and goalscorer Josh Williams. Met manager Christian Edwards also turned to his bench as Charles Corsby, Jack Veale and Brandon Roberts all came on to replace Matt Chubb, Lewis Rees and Eliot Evans.

Nomads nearly sealed the deal in extraordinary fashion as John Disney spotted Alex Lang way off his line and almost caught out the goalkeeper as he curled his free kick from distance towards goal which looked to be nestling into the corner but Disney was so unlucky not to be on the scoresheet as his effort struck the post. Luca Hogan latched onto the rebound but his effort was saved by Lang.

Luca Hogan almost produced a moment of brilliance to make it three as Calllum Bratley’s pass into the youngster quickly saw Hogan burst down the right all the way down to the byline where his low drive was cleared off the line by Jack Veale.

The full time whistle was blown by referee Ben Williams and The Nomads held on for all three points courtesy of first half goals from Josh Williams and Paulo Mendes. As it stands, the Cymru Premier table shows Nomads are one point from securing second place but our place in European competition could be confirmed within the coming weeks amid Penybont’s likely six point deduction for breaking a substitute rule on two occasions earlier in the season.

Next Fixture
The Nomads will play their final game at Deeside Stadium next weekend ahead of our move to The Essity Stadium next season. Penybont will make the long trip down to North Wales as The Nomads look to say goodbye to Deeside Stadium in style. The match will take place on Saturday 15th March with a 2:30pm scheduled kick off time.

Match report by Adam Angerer