A BRILLIANT brace from Graham Evans condemned Nomads to their first defeat of the Welsh Premier League season this afternoon.
The experienced striker, a former pro at Aston Villa and Hereford, struck either side of the break before substitute Christian Courtney scored moments after Evans’ second to set-up a frantic finish.
But the visitors held on to record a victory that they just about deserved.
The hosts, buzzing after their two-match winning start to the campaign, gave it their all but it was not until midway through the second half that they began to show signs of the attacking potency that had swept aside Neath seven days earlier.
Nomads, featuring new left-back Phil Doran, needed a good save from Chris Maxwell to keep out Aneurin Thomas’ fourth-minute header before Liam Loughlin, at the other end, blazed over after showing some neat footwork.
But it was Aber who broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion in the 16th minute when Evans raced on to a long ball over the top and cracked a superb first-time shot over the back-pedalling Maxwell.
And Steve O’Shaugnessy’s side – who’d had a strong penalty appeal for handball against Sion James turned down – would have been further behind at half-time had Maxwell and centre-back Ben Alston not made crucial blocks in quick succession to deny Geoff Kellaway.
Nomads improved after the restart and Tommy Mutton was just inches away from getting a connection to captain Gary Pinch’s knockdown before Peter Doran – twin brother of Phil – saw his fierce drive just go over.
An equaliser looked on the cards only for Evans, after Maxwell had kept out Chris Venables, to cleverly nod in a cross from Andy Evans with seven minutes to spare.
Courtney acrobatically volleyed in Peter Doran’s centre a minute later to give the home fans hope, but that was as good as it got for Nomads, who have confirmed midfielder Craig Garside is to return to the Deeside Stadium following his release from Rhyl.
STAR MAN: Ben Alston.
Nomads: Maxwell, Clarke, Phil Doran, B Alston, Pinch (A Alston 71), Quinn, Cronshaw (Courtney 67), Forde, Mutton, Loughlin, Peter Doran. Sub: Bamber.
Goal: Courtney 84.
Aberystwyth: Roberts, James, Hughes, Thomas, Edwards, R Evans (Bowen 77), S Evans ( Evans 67), Venables, G Evans, Sherbon, Kellaway. Sub: Reynolds.
Goals: G Evans 16, 83.
Attendance: 146.
ON FRIDAY – See The Flintshire Chronicle for reaction and pictures from Saturday’s clash plus all the latest news from inside the Nomads camp.
Flintshire Sport 
