Ashby display clinical finishing as Nomads struggle
By Reece Preston-Hayes.

Another home game against another rival as Nomads welcomed Ashby to Davidsons Homes Park, both teams have had a dip since last year but still having respectable performances recently. Earlier in the season the two teams met at the NFU (Ivanhoe’s ground) it ended even at 2-2 so both teams would be looking to get the win over eachother for this year.

Both teams started positively, a free kick from Ashby looked good to start the scoring but Stef Joyce stretch out and made a clean save to keep it at nil nil. Nomads had some chances a lot positive passing starting from the back with some overlapping between the defenders and midfielders with the two Daz’es (Taylor and Russell) linking up well but the ball rolls out on this play.

Mark Foster down the right hand side slides a shot in similar to an attempt he made in a previous game but the Ashby keeper saves and then clears the danger. Ashby had a good chance to go infront as their number 9 receives the ball in the box but scuffs his shot and it fizzles out for a goal kick. Nomads were defending well as Jon Armson returned to action with a point to prove, but Nomads would be force to make a sub just 17 minutes into the game as Mark Foster comes off with a minor injury and makes way for Joe Hartopp.

Joe almost makes a mark on the game straight away with a half volley that just tailed wide keeping this game level for now. Nomads looked to nose ahead with some good chances, Daryl Russell down the right side puts the ball into the box, Rudders tries to tap in but the shot is blocked and cleared but only as far as Daz Taylor who hits it in from the far edge of the box to put Nomads in front!!!

Ashby wasted no time try to level the game back up with quick hitting chances but Stef did well to block the jab-like attempts, Nomads continued to defend well against the head on attack but with the ball cleared out for an Ashby throw, The away side would find the perfect opportunity to break through the siege and level up, the ball was tee’d in from the throw and rhen quickly passed before the striker blasted his shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Nomads would have a chance to go back infront at the other end with the keeper fumbling the ball but we couldn’t bring it down onto the right foor and a strong volley at the end of the frantic play was well wide. The keeper made another error with the goal kick short and Daz Taylor picked it up (not literally,) he heads the ball forward for Joe to run onto but the defender was fully charged and was able to catch him.

Ashby had their own chances to go in front as halftime loomed in, down their favoured right side they got past the defence amid calls for a foul and approaching the goal it looked like they would be able to have a good shot but the striker blasted it well over the bar, the trees and most of Anstey, we still have search parties in Bradgate Park looking for the lost ball so if you have any information please contact us!

That was it for an exciting first half, both teams with plenty of action and plenty of notes to digest at half time with a cup of coffee and some biscuits. Second Half prepared itself as the sun slowly fell from the sky and cooling the air a little bit. Nomads got straight back to work as Joe Hartopp beats the keepr but had dragged himself too wide for the shot and nobody could get on the end of the ball as he looped it back towards the centre of the box.

Stef mirrored his first half save with a good stop as Ashby looked to gain the lead early in the second half. Nomads turn play around and the ball ends up the opposing box, the keepr going up making a save but drops the ball and Daz Taylor with an overhead kick puts the ball in, but alas a foul on the keeper is given, there was some contact as he was going up for the ball but he did catch it cleanly, landed and then dropped it, I’ll leave this one for the Refs to decide.

Will Cheshire attempted an ambitious volley to round out another great attack by Nomads but it was well saved, Joe Hartopp also attempts to score but yet again the keeper coming out on top. It was time to freshen things up as Jon Armson makes way for his brother Steve Armson and Chris Rudkin makes way for Zak Harris.

The fresh legs couldn’t stop Ashby marching on Nomads territory though, they break into the box and a quality shot puts the ball right into the top right corner, and for any Soccer AM fans I can guarantee that would have been a top bins shot! Ashby lead now by 2 goals to 1.