Nomads Bid To End Caersws Run

gap Connah's Quay welcome in-form Caersws to the Deeside Stadium for their final home game of 2011 this afternoon hoping to end the visitors' stunning 10-match winning streak.

Nomads lost ground at the top of the Huws Gray Alliance with a late defeat at league leaders Rhyl in midweek, a result which opened up a four-point lead for the Lilywhites and left Mark McGregor's side in desperate need of a win to keep the pressure on.

Caersws, meanwhile, visit Deeside on the back of ten consecutive league victories which have propelled them into the top five places, having risen from the bottom three to leapfrog Cefn Druids and Flint Town United in recent weeks.

Mickey Evans’ side endured a disastrous start to their campaign when Nomads cruised to a 6-1 demolition at the Recreation Ground and the Bluebirds had taken just three points from their first five games - making their current record even more startling.

The mid-Wales club, one of the six relegated from the top flight at the end of 2009/10 alongside ourselves, have hit eight past Llangefni Town but more impressively they have also registered victories on the road at Cefn Druids and Porthmadog.

If not for a three-point deduction for an administration error, Evans’ side would currently sit just five points off top spot with a game in hand.

Their 12-match winning streak in all competitions was abruptly halted in the Welsh Cup on Saturday by league rivals Llandudno Town, but they remain a force to be reckoned with in the ‘bread and butter’ and, like Nomads, will be aiming to erase any negativity from their cup exit by claiming a vital three points this afternoon.

As the first half of the season draws to a close, the hosts will be looking to regain some winning form to take into the New Year, with Rhyl facing a tricky trip to a Guilsfield side that have already beaten Mark McGregor's side, as well as Buckley Town, this term.

Speaking on Nomads' current standing McGregor told the Chester Leader earlier this week: "If you had told me that we would be second in the table at the halfway stage, just four points off top, I would have taken that.

"We knew that winning the league would be harder this season as we are the defending champions and people want to take points off us, but we just need to make sure that we don't lose four more times over the rest of the season and perhaps not draw as many games."

"Caersws are on an incredible run in the league at the moment and they will be no pushovers."

McGregor's relatively small squad was backed-up by teenage trio George Baxter, Rhys Healey and Jamie Wynne at Belle Vue in midweek and although all three remained unused substitutes they remain in line for selection this afternoon. Meanwhile, Ben Alston and Jack Rowlands will compete for the right back berth, both having started recent matches.

Nomads recorded a comfortable league double over the Bluebirds last season and are aiming to complete the feat this time around, moreso after McGregor's men were leap-frogged by Buckley who defeated county rivals Flint Town United last night.

Kick off at the Deeside Stadium, for Nomads' final home game of the calendar year, is at 2.30pm. 

Date Published: Saturday, 10th December, 2011 - 10:12am