Super Saves stop a full Nomads Comeback
By Reece Preston-Hayes.

Nomads welcomed Radcliffe Olympic on the first day of April as both teams looked for a win and wanted avoid being branded the April fool, Radcliffe are towards the top and of the table after pretty good season for them, they'll be looking to improve on recent form however after going 3 games and 3 losses in the bounce. Nomads will be looking to improve on their last performance when they came out with a draw against Belper United. Another clear sky to begin this match and both teams are ready to get started. Radcliffe had the better of the early chances a Poor ball by Nomads put Radcliffe on the fast track to an early lead but a block was put up to save us going down so early. A corner in not long after and Nomads seemingly half asleep as a have been all year defending set pieces, no surprise that the Radcliffe striker had a free pass to collect the ball before stamping his mark on the game with a goal.

Nomads tried to answer back as we were forced to wake up and get into gear, we managed to pull of some quick passes leaving Joe Hartopp to have a go at goal but the shot is saved by the Radcliffe keeper foreshadowing his performance for the latter half of the game.

Radcliffe stepped back a little allowing Nomads time in the ball waiting and lurching for us to make a mistake and when we did they sprung a quick counter attack down the wing and the player shoots from the wide side of the box and with a bit of the ole rub o’ the green it hits the inner post and then into the goal it goes as the visitors now have a two goal lead. Nomads were hit with another blow this time it wasn't a goal but an injury as Myles comes off the pitch but he makes way for Fan Favourite Sam Marshall.

Nomads were still in the game as Radcliffe either let off the gas or were running out of it. Daryl Russell took an ambitious shot but it paid off as the ball pinballed it's way towards goal bouncing off the defender, the keeper, and the post before going in. The difference back to just one.

Radcliffe had a chance to put their lead back to two from a free kick but it hits the bar and the second shot is well wide. However they would find a way to go back in front by two when a ball in from the wide side caught keeper Stef in between being fully out and fully in the goal and he could only get a faint touch on the ball as it lands for the incoming striker who calmly slots it away.

Nomads would have one last go at goal before half time, a decent attack as the players link up well and it ends with Daz Taylor taking a pop from outside the box but with too much power it flies over the crossbar.

Half Time then and chance to reflect on what worked and what needs improving if Nomads wished to come back in this game. Nomads came out of the changing rooms fired up and we aimed to quickly get back into the game with a goal.

Some good passing and quick tempo left a worn out Radcliffe chasing the ball as Nomads spread out the defense before Ash Day exploited the space and a low shot had the keeper using his fingertips to push the ball out and a defending for on the loose ball clearing the danger.

A few plays later Nomads would earn a free kick down the left side near the box after little Sam probed too big of a threat for Radcliffe to handle. The ball from the free kick was quickly dispatched short to Ash Day who didn't even think before hitting the ball sweetly as it flung itself into the right side of the goal, as the keeper didn't even have time to blink.

Nomads continue to dominate possession in this second half defender turned striker Daryl Russell terrorising the defense with his fast runs and strong physical presence.  He took the ball out wide before putting in a good cross but the defense scurried onto the end of it. Radcliffe couldn't strong short passes together as Nomads defend from the front which isn't surprising for Daryl as he is supposed to be a defender but Joe Hartopp shrugs out claims that he's a lazy player by chasing the ball and winning it back for us.

Nomads were playing well, playing like the better team but still chasing the equaliser, Daryl tried a header but the keeper is there to catch it. Down the wing the ball comes in but nobody could get a touch on it as it goes to the other wing but then is out back in and still nobody could get a solid hit and the 3rd cross is punched out by the keeper.

Radcliffe played a long ball forward trying to catch Nomads on the counter and as they pushed more bodies forward it looked dangerous for Nomads but Sam intercepts a through ball and plays it to Daryl on the halfway like who matches towards goal. A defender in his way but Daryl plough right through like a bulldozer and one on one with the keeper hits a curled precise shot into the the net just skimming the near post.

Nomads were not going to settle for an equaliser as we know we're the better side in this. A great save stops Nomads taking the lead as Daz is denied and then Daryl would pay off Ash whose shot was surely going to fly in but again the keeper with a fantastic a handed outstretched save stops Nomads taking the lead late on.

A few more chances for both sides but the game would end 3-3 as Nomads fall just short of a full comeback.

Full-time: Nomads 3-3 Radcliffe.