Friday night saw The Nomads’ JD Welsh Cup campaign come to an end after a 3-2 defeat to Bala Town in the semi final at The Essity Stadium.

Form
The Nomads came into this game unbeaten in their first three fixtures of the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference, having shared the points with both Newtown and Bala Town before securing a vital win against Cardiff Met in the race for Europe thanks to Ryan Harrington’s stoppage time winner.

As for Bala Town, they also drew their first Phase Two fixture in a stalemate with Penybont at Maes Tegid before that 1-1 draw with Nomads the following weekend. It was then heartbreak for Colin Caton’s side after two late goals from Newtown saw The Robins snatch all three points in a 3-2 thriller.

Team News
Neil Gibson made two changes to his Nomads that overcame Cardiff Met last weekend as Harry Franklin and Josh Williams came in to replace Joe Malkin and the absent Mike Wilde. Kris Owens was named amongst the substitutes along with Ryan Stratulis who also made his way back from injury to return to the matchday squad for the first time since December.

Bala also made two changes to their side with the duo of David Edwards and Lassana Mendes coming in for Nathan Burke and Luke Wall who both dropped to the bench. First choice goalkeeper Alex Ramsay returned in between the sticks to replace Harri Lloyd.

The First Half
Nomads made the perfect start as just 37 seconds on the clock, Harry Franklin found the net following a swift counter attack from the front three. Jack Kenny was played through down the right hand side and aimed a cross towards Josh Williams which was intercepted and there was Franklin to pick up the pieces and slot past Alex Ramsay to make it 1-0.

It was all Nomads for the next ten minutes with Josh Williams having two chances to double the lead. Williams’ free kick from the edge of the area was blocked by the Bala wall before the youngster led a Nomads counter attack minutes later and drove forward into the final third, however he dragged his shot wide of the target.

Andy Firth then made a remarkable save to keep Nomads ahead midway through the first half as Lassana Mendes’ ball back across the six yard box found Adam Roscrow whose low drive forced Firth to get down low, show his quick reactions and make a crucial stop.

Bala then looked the more dangerous of the two sides with Firth again having to be called into action, this time to deny Kieran Smith from around 20 yards out. Smith was enjoying his space in the midfield and eventually spotted David Edwards who looked to curl one beyond Firth but the former Welsh international’s shot was inches wide from nestling into the top corner.

Just before the interval, John Disney almost grabbed Nomads’ second of the night in outrageous style after spotting Alex Ramsay off his line, looking to chip the Bala goalkeeper from long range but luckily for Ramsay, Disney’s effort was over the top.

The Second Half
Bala equalised five minutes into the second half after Naim Arsan’s strike deflected into the path of defender Nathan Peate who beat Firth at his near post to make it 1-1.

The Nomads then made their first change of the evening as Kris Owens returned to action for the first time since the beginning of October. The full back was introduced in place of Dan Roberts.

Bala then took the lead through George Newell as David Edwards’ pass into Newell allowed the striker to step onto his left foot and fire across goal which Firth couldn’t keep out.

The Nomads were back on level terms just as we passed the hour mark after a well worked attacking move was finished off by Jack Kenny, Josh Williams spotted Harry Franklin out wide who then delivered a low ball across the face of goal which Jack Kenny turned home from close range.

Just moments later, The Nomads had the ball in the back of the net and thought they retook the lead through Ben Nash but a dubious decision from the referee to disallow the goal left players and staff frustrated. Josh Williams’ shot took a wicked deflection which caused confusion for Alex Ramsay and with Jack Kenny rushing towards Ramsay to apply pressure, the goalkeeper parried the ball into Nash who headed home but the referee awarded Bala a free kick for a foul on Ramsay.

The Nomads made their second change of the evening as Ryan Stratulis also returned from injury, taking up Josh Williams’ place in midfield.

Not the first time this season, Ben Nash provided spectators with a sublime piece of defending after Chris Venables’ long ball up to George Newell saw the Bala striker race through on goal but Nash got across Newell and made a vital sliding challenge to keep things all square.

Five minutes from full time, Bala restored their lead through their Captain Chris Venables after George Newell’s header back across goal left the Bala Number 9 with an easy finish into the back of the net to make it 3-2 to the Lakesiders.

The Nomads quickly looked to react to going behind again and turned to the bench for fresh legs up front with the duo of Mike Hayes and Joe Malkin coming on for Callum Morris and Harry Franklin.

In the dying seconds of the match, The Nomads were giving it all they had in search of a late equaliser and were on the unlucky end of a goalmouth scramble after Joe Malkin’s powerful effort struck the leg of Mike Hayes which Alex Ramsay was able to retrieve.

The final whistle was blown by the referee and Nomads had suffered cup heartbreak against Bala for the second time this season. Bala therefore booked their place in the JD Welsh Cup Final with The Nomads now putting all their focus on the Cymru Premier and that all important ticket to European football.

Next Fixture
The Nomads now face a trip to South Wales next weekend where they take on Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont in a vital clash in the race for Europe. The match will take place on 11th March at the SDM Glass Stadium with a 2:30pm scheduled kick off time.

Match report by Adam Angerer