Clinical Cefn Close The Gap On The Nomads

The young Nomads were beaten 4-1 by a ruthlessly efficient Cefn Mawr Rangers, on The Muga.

With players away for Welsh Colleges, injured and illnesses to key personnel travelling to a very strong Cefn side was always going to be a big ask for the young Reds. Even with 13 travelling Woodward and Manley were still confident of a great performance.

The pitch, considering the downpour throughout the evening was actually in a pretty good condition, albeit the goalmouths being slightly treacherous.

The game started ferociously with both teams going for it from the off, both styles were very similar, getting the ball wide as quickly as possible.

Cefn struck on the 7th minute, some excellent wing play took their right winger into the box and the ball was smashed low through a group of players into the corner.

Owen Manely being subbed off after 35 minutes due to illness did not help the away team, with a change and 1 of the 2 subsitutes being used so early.

Nomads had a few chances themselves, with Luke Woolley going close with a bullet header that just went the wrong side of the post.

Cefn's next two chances resulted in goals, the 2nd goal saw the impressive Lewis Jones dance through 4 players and slotting the ball past Loyden. The 3rd was from a corner, a great header at the back post looped across goal and into the net.

The first half itself saw few chances for both teams, however, Cefn were just clinical, with the ball finding the next at every clear cut opportunity.

Half time was a very different team talk, as Nomads rarely find themselves behind by so many goals. The talk was one of character and not rolling over and accepting it.

The reaction from the Nomads was superb. The second half was one of great football, in particular, Liam Bruford and Luke Woolley down the right-hand side, they worked exceptionally well together.

Nomads come close through Ben James, who lifted the ball just over on the volley. The young Reds were knocking on the door but the home side were defending stoutly and restricting chances to a premium.

The Nomads breakthrough came from a corner, Craig Chisholm whipped it in and it was not dealt with by the home team, the ball dropped to Luke Woolley who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Although the momentum was with the Nomads they couldn't capitalise, although Jack Foster worked very well as a lone striker when he came on, the away team just couldn't unlock a team with a 2 goal cushion who defended in good shape.

With 8 minutes to go Cefn got a 4th, Nomads didn't clear their lines properly and Cefn go in behind and scored again.

Cefn were good value for their win, although statistically there were around the same number of shots on goal, Cefn's ruthlessness and clinical finishing gave them a 4-1 win and put them in second place, with many games in hand.

Nomads look to the next game, at Home to Hawkesbury in the Quarter Finals of the Horace Wynne cup.

Scorer
Luke Woolley (Assist Craig Chisholm)

Man of the Match - Luke Woolley
An absolute engine on the wing, worked in tandem with Liam Bruford on the right-hand side, despite a disappointing score line he was a positive figure throughout and gave a very mature performance. He capped his great performance with yet another goal, taking his tally to 13 goals from the wing.