Match Report: Graham St Prims 1 - 1 Anstey Nomads
Saturday 18th February 2012 After what seems an eternity since the Nomads were last in action, today they faced Graham Street Prims in a cold but sunny Derbyshire. Top scorer Darren Taylor is still out with a knee injury. Craig Lynch and Johnny Armson were missing while Leon Thraves ruled himself out after coming down with an illness. New signing Tom Welford steeped in to make his full debut, while Nomads welcome back defenders Warren York & Lee Charles who both settled for a place on the bench. Nomads boss Andy Miller tried a 4-3-3 formation for the game with Simon Alexander being called to right back alongside Calvin Smith, James Edmonds and Oliver Preston at right back. The midfield three consisted of Shane Gibbs, Tom Welford and Wade Ball. Chris Rudkin, Steve Armson & Clint Gunn played the attacking roles. Nomads started brightly and played some nice passing football on what was a nice surface. A few bumps in places but a relatively flat surface. It was the hosts who had the first opportunity of the game. Their sticker rode a challenge in the 18-yard area from Calvin Smith with the strikers shot saved at point blank range by Stef Joyce. Nomads first chance fell to Chris Rudkin who brought down a long ball from Calvin Smith, turning his man and getting a shot away which went wide of the keeps near post. Nomads then took the lead minutes later. Wade Ball came out of a challenge in the Prims penalty area with the ball and rounded the keeper. His shot came off a Prims defender but Ball claimed the goal on ten minutes. Graham Street Prims had several efforts to get back into the game but failed to make any of their chances count. Poor defending from Nomads was met with even poorer finishing from Prims. Man of the match Clint Gunn was close to getting his name on the score sheet. Closing down the Prims defence who almost gave him a scoring chance after a mix up with the defender and keeper. Nomads continued to ride their luck towards the end of the first half. Chris Rudkin was caught in procession in the centre circle was created a Prims attack. Prims number 9 who was causing problems for Edmonds & Smith all afternoon got a shot away on the edge of the area which was goal bound only for Oliver Preston to clear off the line. Steve Armson should of put Nomads 2-0 up. A superbly weighted pass on the left wing from Oliver Preston found the run of Armson who tried to cross for Clint Gunn but instead went high and wide. Gunn himself in the closing stages of the first half almost found himself one on one with the Prims keeper inside the 6-yard box but was tackled before he could get a shot away. Half Time - Graham St Prims 0 - 1 Anstey Nomads Nomads started the second half well and almost went 2-0 up. Steve Armson winning a Prims goal kick on the left wing enabled him to run and cross which found Clint Gunn un-marked in the Prims area. Gunn had time to bring the ball down and shoot on the half volley which fired straight at the Prims keeper. Chris Rudkin who looked to be struggling for much of the game was replaced after just 8 minutes into the second half. Rudkin was complaining of feeling unwell and made way for Louie Finney-Neckles. Just minutes later and Andy Miller was forced into another change. Shane Gibbs appeared to twist his right knee under a challenge. He was replaced by Lee Charles who was making his first appearance for 5 months after a stomach injury. Finney-Neckles made an immediate impact on the right wing. Closing down a loose ball Louie was able to run forward and looked to take a shot on himself but un-selfishly crossed to pick out a rushing Steve Armson. The ball was too heavy for the midfielder, going over his head. The game became stretched and Prims began putting pressure on a tiring Nomads side. Prims almost levelled on 62 minutes. A Prims midfielder was allowed to run along the left wing and was able to turn inside the Nomads defence to shot from the edge of the area. His shot hit the crossbar and went wide for a goal kick. Andy Miller made his final change. Right back Warren York made his return since picking up an injury against Ellistown on Boxing day, replacing Simon Alexander after 70 minutes. Nomads were continuing to be pushed back in the closing stages of the game. A nervous Nomads travelling army could sense another goal was in this game and going into the last ten minutes their fears became reality. A Prims attack opened up the Nomads defence with the Prims defender shooting from long range which forced a save from Stef Joyce whose save fell for a Prims attacker to tap in at close range on 82 minutes. The goal gave Prims a huge boost and continued to push the Nomads back who held on for a 1-1 draw. Starting XI: Joyce, Preston, Edmonds (C), Alexander, Smith, S.Armson, Gibbs, Welford, Rudkin, Gunn, Ball |
 |