Today's game against a very strong Fc Nomads team who would be up near the top end was going to be a big challenge for the players. Our game plan for the game today was to be hard to break down and to frustrate our opponents. A last minute call out for
Josh Millington meant we had to change our team around and go 4-4-2. We got off to a great start when a ball over the top found
Austin Owen out wide, he quickly got it under control and crossed to the near post where
James Triggs finished with a 1st time volley into the far corner for a 1-0 lead after 3 mins. This clearly shocked nomads but we held our own and matched them in a physical battle. A turning point in the 15th minute when nomads had a player sent off for kicking out after he thought he'd been fouled but the referee never seen it and rightly sent him off. This seemed to give our players a boost and we were causing problems by playing forward to the front 2 who were causing problems with there pace and closing down. On 28 mins a long ball over the top seemed a lost cause, but
Austin Owen had other ideas and chased the defender down, his pressure forced a mistake and he went through on goal and finished neatly into the bottom corner for 2-0. Our message was to keep it tight at the back and don't take any risks, then from our free kick on halfway we lost possession and the nomads no. 9 was put through, he went to go around
Matt Griffiths in goal but his outstretched arm gathered the ball. Nomads with the 10 men started to build up some pressure and on the stroke of half time the no. 9 had a chance again, this time his shot was heading into the far corner only for
Matt Griffiths to make a stunning save and tip it round the post. From the resulting corner he made another great save from a header that was going in, we cleared the ball and the referee blew for half time. Ht 2-0. The half time message was clear, we were 2-0 and playing against 10 men, we had to control the game better. The 2nd half was only a few minutes old when
Mike Parry went through on goal only to hit it straight at the keeper and they got the ball way to safety, credit to nomads as they had a right go at us 2nd half and caused problems by putting the ball in our box on numerous occasions, we defended brilliantly and
Matt Griffiths was in great form and wasn't conceding a goal today, he produced another 2 great saves in the 2nd half to keep them out. With time running out
Mike Parry had another great chance to finish them off, only he shot straight at the keeper once again. After 6 nervous minutes of injury time the whistle finally went. Ft 2-0. A massive win today against a good side, was a good battling performance from the lads and a fantastic display in goal from
Matt Griffiths. This game was one that most would have had Fc nomads winning easily, but I'm glad our players have stood up and produced a great performance. We will now look forward to our local Derby at Rhos Aelwyd next Saturday and be full of confidence.
