Saturday afternoon saw The Nomads bow out of the Nathaniel MG Cup following a narrow defeat to The New Saints at Park Hall despite a valiant effort on the opening day of the domestic season.

Although the weather conditions weren’t that of last season’s penalty shootout victory over TNS in the same stage of this competition, Neil Gibson was still confident he could replicate that impressive win from his first game in charge of The Nomads given the hard work and dedication his side have put in during pre-season.

The rain was pouring down in Oswestry but it was nothing these two sides weren’t used to, the Cymru Premier’s top two certainly delivered an entertaining encounter for the spectators. Callum Bratley put Nomads ahead with a sublime finish on the edge of the area but his goal wasn’t enough to help Nomads progress into the third round as goals from Jordan Williams and Josh Daniels sent Saints through.

Form
Both The Nomads and TNS were in European action during the last few weeks. The Nomads faced a tough challenge in the UEFA Europa Conference League First Qualifying Round against KA Akureyri in Iceland which saw the Nordic side take a 2-0 first leg lead in the. In the second leg, played at today’s venue Park Hall, The Nomads were unable to turn the tie around as KA scored twice yet again to progress with a 4-0 aggregate win. Since then, The Nomads have regrouped and have been extremely focused on the domestic season. It was goals galore for Neil Gibson’s men last weekend after comfortably beating Rhyl 7-0 in their final pre-season game.

As for TNS, a UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round loss to Swedish champions BK Hacken meant the Cymru Premier champions dropped down to the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round where they were drawn against Luxembourg’s Swift Hesperange. Saints fell behind in the first leg at Park Hall but Rory Holden’s equaliser meant they had a draw to build on before heading out to Luxembourg. Saints got off to the worst possible start at the Luxembourg Stadium, trailing inside 2 minutes and although Declan McManus was able to score twice from the penalty spot, the damage was already done as Swift Hesperange scored two goals within the space of 4 minutes to progress with a 3-2 victory, meaning Saints’ European journey came to an end.

Team News
The Nomads made three changes from that frustrating loss to KA Akureyri a few weeks ago as Dan Roberts and Josh Williams both returned to the starting line up. Michael Wilde was back into full fitness and started a competitive fixture up front for The Nomads for the first time since March. John Disney kept the Captain’s armband and sat just behind a midfield of Williams, Edwards and Bratley. There were also places on the bench for youngsters Luca Hogan and Jack Burman who have impressed in first team and U21 appearances during pre-season.

TNS manager Craig Harrison made five changes from his side’s narrow Europa Conference League defeat to Swift Hesperange last Tuesday. Star striker Declan McManus’ absence from the matchday squad meant Jordan Williams joined Ryan Brobbel and Josh Daniels in the front three. The quartet of Danny Williams, Adrian Cieslewicz, Jake Canavan and Ben Clark all started for Saints who were looking for their first win in Nathaniel MG Cup competition since October 2018.

The First Half
The Saints enjoyed the majority of possession in the early stages of the match and had two chances inside the first five minutes. Ryan Brobbel’s powerful strike from the edge of the area, aimed for the top corner flew inches wide of the target before a Saints corner led to a goalmouth scramble which saw Andy Firth untroubled by a Ryan Astles backheel from close range.

A superb piece of counter attacking play from The Nomads nearly saw them carve open the Saints defence as Noah Edwards’ burst of pace down the right hand side saw him deliver an inviting ball across the face of goal which was cleared away just in time to prevent Mike Wilde from slotting home.

The Nomads were rewarded with their early efforts on the 15 minute mark as Cal Bratley scored the club’s first goal of the new season. Declan Poole’s cross was cleared but only as far as Bratley who had time to pick his spot and the midfielder did so brilliantly, sending a thunderous effort beyond Connor Roberts and into the top corner to make it 1-0.

Saints rued missed chances after falling behind to Bratley’s opener as Ben Nash was able to fantastically block Jordan Williams’ effort from the edge of box even with the Saints forward having a good amount of time to shoot. Ben Clark then had his first real chance of the game, the midfielder had been forced into a series of shots from the edge of the box which were way over the top but Clark finally found room and with the ball at his favoured right foot, the 22 year old wished he had done better as he dragged his shot way wide of the far post.

Andy Firth was trying to keep his clean sheet alive, firstly saving from Josh Daniels’ shot from around 10 yards out and the goalkeeper saved another thunderous strike but this time, Nomads were unable to clear as the ball fell kindly to Jordan Williams who tapped home the rebound, levelling the scoreline at 1-1.

The Nomads were certainly bringing the game to the Cymru Premier champions who were heavy favourites before a ball was kicked today. After Declan Poole’s cross just averted Mike Wilde lurking inside the box, The Nomads maintained a solid spell of pressure and yet another cross was cleared but this time only as far as Noah Edwards who nearly scored one of the goals of the season already as his dipping volley was inches over the bar.

Despite a really positive spell from The Nomads, it was TNS who found the net on the stroke of half time as Josh Daniels received the ball on the right hand side, shaped himself and shifted onto his left foot before firing low and beating Firth at his near post to make it 2-1.

The Second Half
There were no real chances in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half as both defences worked extremely hard to prevent any sort of attacking threat. Both sides were hungry for goals and the frustration started to show, Jordan Davies picked up the first yellow card of the game after a foul in his own half.

Then all of a sudden, Saints began to ramp up the pressure and nearly found a third goal through a piece of good fortune. Adrian Cieslewicz’s curling effort took a wicked deflection off the leg of Noah Edwards which diverted the ball towards the near post, wrong footing Firth but luckily for the goalkeeper, the ball flashed into the side netting.

Cieslewicz was enjoying much of the ball on the left hand side and went close again with another curling effort, this time with no lucky deflection and as the ball looked to be flying into the top corner, John Disney leaped to get his head to the ball, keeping The Nomads in the game with a stunning goal line clearance.

The Nomads then made their first change of the afternoon as Jack Kenny came on to replace Josh Williams as Neil Gibson and his staff looked to add fresh legs to the forward line in search of an equaliser. TNS also made a substitution a few moments later as Ryan Brobbel hobbled up with a slight knock and on came Leo Smith in his place.

As we reached the latter stages of the match, The Nomads were undoubtedly giving it their all as they looked to level this cup tie and after having near enough the same amount, if not more chances at goal, some would say this scoreline certainly didn’t reflect the course of the game. The Nomads introduced the trio of Harry Franklin, Aron Williams and Ryan Stratulis as in desperate times at the end of the match, a spark was needed.

In the second of five minutes added by the fourth official, Saints midfielder Danny Williams was shown a second yellow card following another foul, halting a Nomads attack and the referee had no choice but to send Williams off.

A Nomads corner saw goalkeeper Andy Firth come up to the other side of the pitch but despite a solid delivery for Declan Poole, the referee spotted a foul in the area and Saints were awarded a free kick. The hosts played the free kick quickly with Firth far from goal, Saints played their swift counter attack as substitute Adam Roscrow was played through on goal, however the striker was unable to put the game to bed, misplacing a glorious opportunity for his side.

Jack Kenny was so nearly the hero for The Nomads in the final minute of stoppage time as Aron Williams’ left footed cross was flicked on by Kenny but unfortunately for The Nomads, the header was narrowly wide of the bottom corner and seconds later, the full time whistle blew, meaning The Nomads bowed out of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Next Fixture
The Nomads will be back in action at Park Hall in just six days time as they face The New Saints again, this time in the opening weekend of the JD Cymru Premier. There are a number of positives to take from today’s performance for Neil Gibson and his staff despite the loss and hopefully The Nomads can start their league campaign in the best way possible, grabbing three points against the current Cymru Premier champions. The match will take place on Friday 11th August with a 7:45pm scheduled kick off time.

Match report by Adam Angerer