A Push? A Push? A Penalty for a ‘Push’?!

Nomads lose in Injury time after questionable penalty
By Reece Preston-Hayes.

Nomads set to host Radford on the first of many midweek games in this final month of EMCL action. Nomads come info off the back off 2 draws with both being comeback performances. Nomads would be hoping to go one step further and pull off a full comeback.

The game got started and both teams weren't hesitant to like on early pressure. Mark Foster found his way through into the box with the first 5 minutes but a good stop by the keeper forces the ball back to midfield. Nomads got back on possession though and would end the play with a free kick when Mark was brought down after receiving the ball from his teammate. The free kick down pack a punch and even if it did it would only go as far as the defensive wall who stopped the shot and cleared the danger.

Radford had their own chances and the best chance of the game so far came out of nowhere, a quick play down the left hand side and the Radford player who was outside the box thought he'd have a pop. What a pop is was though as it curled beautifully into the top right corner to put the visitors in front.

Radford looking immediately to get a second to add a vital cushion on the game especially knowing of Nomads recent comeback antics. However their momentum was halted for a couple of minutes by an injured Radford player, when he was back on his feet Radford would deploy quick passing to get to break through the defense and once in the box they take a shot at goal but this time Stef Joyce is on hand to stop the shot.

Radford would keep pushing their luck for the next ten minutes before they would find the net again. This time it rather simple a ball through the middle to the striker who marches on to the box and slots it last Stef. Radford now lead by 2.

Nomads were desperate to claw one back, a shot by Ash Day was ambitious and it did not the net but unfortunately it was the wrong side of the goal to count (although in this league anything is possible.)

Ash unshaken from his missed attempt continued to take matters into his own hands. Down the right hand wing he cuts very slightly into the box before firing at goal, the ball bounced off the inside post and into the goal as Nomads are just one behind.

Nomads could of made it all square when Daz Taylor was brought down for a relatively soft penalty as far as they go these days, although it wouldn’t be the softest one of the game that one comes much later on… Ash Day confident from just scorng steps up to attempt to square this game up, he hits it low to the right but the keeper reaches it and Daz Taylor is held off from gaining full control of the ball before the danger is diverted away.

Nomads remained confident despite having the penalty saved, Mark Foster making his way through but possession snatched away by an alert defender and that will just about wrap up the events of the first half, Nomads were only 1 goal behind and were in control of momentum to end the half, Rob Harris would hope his lads could keep that going in the second half.

Second half underway and a mixed and scrappy start for both sides, Radford pulled up for a few fouls that have gone on too long but no cards here yet, Daz Taylor with a chance on goal from a decent scoring position just inside the box but the keeper saves this shot.

Nomads continued their attacking pressure as Radford were chasing possession but had a couple of counter attacks via long balls but our Nomads defense held on strong and rerouted the ball upfront. Mark once again proving dangerous for the defense as he breaks through but his shot hits the side of the goal. A play or two later Mark would find his way on a ball through and was on his way towards goal with the keeper sprinting out to surprise him but Mark lofted the ball up into the air and then was taken out by the keeper who flew in with his leg up, no question that the ref was going to card this time and it was a obvious red card as Mark recieves treatment, his shot was just wide which is a shame but with a free kick to hit against replacement goalkeeper who was no more a goalkeeper than I am (although sometimes the outfield players do great in goal; I.E. Rudders, Steve Armson.) A rather unimpressive free kick hit along the floor as if it was a through ball but with a curl on it as it swept its way across the box and into the far corner of the goal, adding Daz Taylor's name to the score sheet.

Both teams were on the defense now Radford wanted to prevent a full comeback and Nomads were satisfied with a draw against good opposition, but as injury time ran it’s course and then some, Radford would be awarded a corner. From the corner the ball comes in and the striker steps in front of Ollie to head the ball but it goes behind him as Ollie runs onto it despite being held by the striker, Ollie shakes of the pulling and clears the ball but as he does the ref points to the spot, I honestly don’t know what he saw but search on youtube “Anstey Nomads 2-3 Radford” and see if you can see anything for yourself.

Unlike Nomads attempt Radfords penalty found its way into the goal, Nomads were desperate to re-equalise with several close chances in the box, surprising despite the Ref seeing something worthy of a penalty from the other side of the box he couldn’t see the Radford keeper go down with a head injury after colliding with his team mate, despite being a couple of yards away at best.

After about 10 minutes of Injury time the game does finally come to an end before the week was over, and unfortunately Nomads got nothing out of a good performance, except from being able to tick off another item from the list of “Unbelievable Reffing decisions you can only see in the EMCL.” but hey, would you really want to change it to something more plain and boring? Me neither, it’s part of what makes the league so exciting.

Full-time: Nomads 2-3 Radford.