Looking at the table with their opponents today languishing near the bottom of the table you'd be forgiven for thinking that the young GAP team would be complacent coming into the game, as the scoreline suggests, this was not the case.
As much as this report would love to give a blow by blow account of each goal and chance, there simply isn't enough time in the day to write it and then for you to read it. There was literally over 30 goal scoring opportunities in this game for the Nomads, with over 50% converted with the 16 goals scored.
7 goals came in the first half and 9 in the second.
The game itself was just controlled from start to finish by the reds who just dominated possession. It was clear from the outset that the superior side were the ones at home and the management team of Woodward and Manley were extremely clear. Show respect to the opposition by putting in a professional performance and be ruthless.
Every single player on the pitch for Nomads were superb, from Dominic Elsey-McHugh who scored 8 and assisted 4 right to the back 4 who snuffed out any hint of trouble at the back from counter attacks mounted by the away side. Ben Waddilove was an excellent captain and if there were any hints of the game dropping in seriousness he was quick to rally the team to getting back on track.
The full back pairing of Karter Cutler-Evans and Leon Doran were absolutely ruthless in getting themselves up and down the wings, each getting a goal each and Doran chipping in with 3 assists. Owen Manley hit a goal to cap off a Man Of The Match performance and Ben James, one of the new faces built on his 2 assists last week with another 6 today.
I could write a paragraph on each player and how magnificent they played today.
Credit to the away side who took what was a crushing defeat in good spirits and never let the game descent to the chaos that many other teams would have.
A scoreline this high has been coming for a while and unfortunately for Hawkesbury it was against them that the Nomads fell into their rhythm.
Scorers
D. Elsey-McHugh x8
L. Bruford x2
O. Manley
L. Doran
K. Cutler-Evans
L. Woolley
J. Coppack
S.Roberts
Man Of The Match - Owen Manley
Much similar to his captain, Waddilove, Owen Manley never let the lead or the dominating performance slacken his game. He was box to box for the entirety of the match and fully professional throughout. He chipped in with a goal to boot. In a game where one player was responsible for 14 goals scored (Elsey-McHugh), another 6 goals (James) and another 4 of the goals scored (Doran) you can imagine the performance that Manley put in. Throughout pre-season and the season thus-far he has been the most consistent performer in a red shirt and his all round play allows the Nomads to gain success.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | CPD Sychdyn | 26 | 64 |
2. | Mynydd Isa Spartans | 26 | 58 |
3. | Cefn Mawr Rangers | 26 | 56 |
4. | GAP Connahs Quay | 26 | 53 |
5. | Offa Athletic | 26 | 53 |
6. | Flint Mountain | 26 | 49 |
7. | Acton FC | 26 | 39 |