Match Report: Nomads 0 - 1 Oadby Town
Tuesday 21st February 2012 Under the floodlights of Cropston Road, over 130 turned out to see one of the biggest games of the season for the Nomads. After the disappointing draw on Saturday against Graham St Prims, Nomads gaffer Andy Miller was forced to make only the one change. Johnny Armson returned to the starting line-up after missing Saturday's game, replacing Shane Gibbs who failed a late fitness test after picking up a knee injury on Saturday. Oadby named a full strength team which included several ex-Leicester City players including Matt Piper and Jon Stevenson. It was the hosts that had the first chance of the game straight from the kick off as Clint Gunn found himself with a run on goal but dragged his shot wide with a rushing Steve Armson failing to connect. It didn't take long for the referee to start issuing warnings. Simon Alexander was lucky not to be booked after a late tackle on the Oadby skipper. From the resulting free kick Oadby's Declan Towers found himself unmarked in the Nomads area and scored. The lineman on the nearside flagged him as being offside and his goal was disallowed. New Nomads midfielder Tom Welford created a chance that almost gave Nomads the lead. Bringing the ball forward through the centre, he was tackled but won the ball back. His deflected pass found Clint Gunn who was then brought down in the area from behind. The referee giving a goal kick and adjudging the tackle to be legal. After 20 minutes Nomads were lucky not to be behind. Nomads failed to deal with a Oadby midfielder whose shot was cleared off the line from Calvin Smith. The best move of the half for Nomads came on 25 minutes. Clint Gunn broke on a counter attack and found Chris Rudkin unmarked on the right wing. Rudkin then found Steve Armson breaking through the middle but was tackled. Oadby failed to clear the ball which fell in front of Wade Ball. His effort going just wide of the Oadby goal. Moments later and the first booking of the game was to Nomads new recruit Tom Welford. Closing down on a Oadby break on the left wing, his late challenge didn't impress the referee or the travelling Oadby supporters. Nomads keeper Stef Joyce was called into action on the half hour mark. He saved a point blank header from Oadby's Matt Piper. Joyce pushing out for a corner after clattering into the post. Nomads began to push forward after playing deep in the early stages. Steve Armson picked up a loose ball and was pushed wide by the Oadby defence winning a corner in the process. The corner was dealt with by the visitors who went forward on the counter attack. Matt Piper receiving the ball on the left wing. Pushing forward his shot come cross went well wide of the Nomads goal. Half Time 0 - 0 Early on in the second half and Oadby began applying pressure on the Nomads defence. It was Stef Joyce who was called into action yet again. He saved a powerful low shot from Oadby's Jack Lane who had a clear run on goal. Nomads tried to push forward and create chances and almost found a way through the Oadby defence. Steve Armson broke free on the left wing and found a rushing Chris Rudkin on the opposite wing. Armson's ball over to Rudkin was too heavy and went out for a goal kick. Oadby continued to create chances but the Nomads defence were up for the challenge and were proving hard to break down. Johnny Armson did well to help prevent an Oadby goal but appeared to of pulled a muscle whilst challenging for the ball. He was later replaced for Louie Finney-Neckles. Steve Armson dropped to left back while Oliver Preston switched over to the right and Louie took up the role on the right wing. Oadby almost went ahead in spectacular fashion after 15 minutes. Adam Parry hit a half volley perfectly from 25 yards hitting Stef Joyce's crossbar. Nomads were defiant not to give Oadby any more chances and were quick to close down the Oadby players. Andy Miller decided to bring Tom Welford off who was on a yellow card for Leon Thraves who was returning after missing Saturday's game with an illness. Just minutes later and Oadby took the lead. Matt Piper was fouled on the edge of the Nomads area. The free kick went over the 4-man Nomads wall into the top corner of Joyce's goal. With 15 minutes to go a Oadby corner was cleared only for the referee to stop play. A serious head injury stopped the game. Oadby's Joe Latham received a nasty cut to the head after a challenge in the air with Wade Ball. The Oadby defender required immediate attention from both physio's who called for an ambulance. The game was stopped for roughly 20 minutes whilst the paramedics attended to Joe. He was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Everyone at Anstey Nomads wish him a speedy recovery. The game restarted with 15 minutes still to play. Nomads went forward in search of an equaliser and Nomads boss Andy Miller decided to make his final substitution with Lee Charles replacing Chris Rudkin on the right wing. Nomads best chance in the final moments came when Lee Charles was fouled just outside the Oadby 18-yard area. The referee giving the Oadby player a yellow card for an apparent stamp on Charles. A decision that disgusted many in the crowd. The resulting free kick was headed out for a Nomads corner which was wiped in with pace and found the head of Lee Charles. His bullet header was straight at the Oadby keeper. Oadby hung on for the victory overtake St Andrews in third on goal difference. Nomads stay 9th despite the loss. Starting XI: Joyce, Preston, Edmonds (C), Smith, J.Armson, Alexander, S.Armson, Welford, Rudkin, Gunn, Ball |
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