F.C.Nomads v Point of Ayr

FC NOMADS 1 POINT OF AYR 0

FC Nomads won the Clwyd League 'Battle of the Giants' and are now the only remaining team in Division One who have a 100% record.

As predicted this was a tight game from start to finish with nothing to choose between the teams in the first half with both teams finding it difficult to break down the defences. FC Nomads were the first team to find a way through when Lee Molynuex only had the Point of Ayr keeper to beat but the keeper was in outstanding form and pulled of a great stop to deny Molyneux the chance to open the scoring in the first ten minutes. The rest of the half was fought in the middle of the park with very few chances for either team. Point of Ayr's top scorer Darren Hughes (38 goals in 11 games this season) received the ball on a couple of occasions but couldn't get past the resolute Neil Boden at centre half. Towards the end of the half the Point of Ayr keeper was put under pressure a couple of times from pinpoint corners delivered by Kyle Reid, but the keeper yet again remained strong to keep the scores level. It was clear that in the first half neither team wanted to loose this match and both defences were in top form. The half time score was FC Nomads 0 Point of Ayr 0

The second half began with FC Nomads making a change as Paul Hynes made way for new signing Dave Gleave to make his debut. This had immediate effect as Gleave began to pair up well with Chris Taylor on the left and was running at the Point of Ayr defence and started to deliver some telling crosses. FC Nomads were beginning to get the better of this game but still found Point of Ayr difficult to break down, especially the keeper who was in fine form. In the 67th minute the breakthrough finally came as Lee Molyneux got the ball just outside the area and threaded a neat through ball to the feet of Dave Parsonage, who managed to hold off the defenders challenge and power the ball into the net past a helpless keeper. The importance of this match was clear as the celebrations were similar to that of a cup final, and Point of Ayr's disappointment was clear to see. Shortly after this goal the Point of Ayr keeper who had such an outstanding game went down following a clash and had to be substituted with a mild concussion. Thankfully at the end of the game he seemed ok, if a little bit dazed. Point of Ayr then started to try and put pressure on the Nomads team in order to rescue the game, however FC Nomads looked more likely to add to their tally with some powerful counter attacks. Nomads had a few free kicks to deal with on the edge of the area toward the end of the game but Craig Williams kept a clean sheet and became the first goalkeeper to deny both Point of Ayr and Darren Hughes from scoring this season.

www.fcnomads.co.uk like to give a man of the match but today we are going to give it to three players Neil Boden for being the only defender in the league to keep the prolific Darren Hughes at bay, Kyle Reid for some excellent work at full back and some perfect corners and Danny Wynne for his constant battling to try and carve out an opening for FC Nomads. It was one of those days when it would be nice to give man of the match to the whole team and a few of the opposition as well.

Following the game we spoke with FC Nomads manager Dave Johnson who had this to say about today’s game, “I am very happy with today’s result and performance. The professionalism and discipline of the players was outstanding as they did everything asked of them. We had the utmost respect for Point of Ayr’s run of results this season as they had brushed everyone they have played aside with ease, so we treated them with the respect they deserved. We started the game with a more defensive midfield than we would normally use, asking the midfielders to get at the Point of Ayr players and wear down that spirit that their 9 match winning run had given them. We knew by doing that we could change our style of play for the 2nd half and set up in a more attacking way. The team already knew the changes that would be made at half time and early in the 2nd half with Dave Gleave and Jamie McConnell coming on to add more potency to the attack. Our plan worked today and that is down to the players doing everything I asked of them. The win is testament to the strength of this squad and the ability to apply themselves to the objectives they are asked to perform. A great result, I am made up.”

Both FC Nomads and Point of Ayr can be proud of putting on a magnificent performance full of heart and character. It was a great game to watch and they both did the league proud. Judging by today’s match, both these teams will be in the hunt at the end of the season.

FC Nomads have now won 26 league games in a row, never having dropped a point since they were formed prior to the 2009/10 season. A winning run spanning two seasons. Point of Ayr had themselves won 9 out of 9 league games this season and had scored a massive 52 goals in the process. It would take something special to stop that run and today they met that something special…..FC Nomads of Connahs Quay.