Nomads 2’s get a derby weekend off to a flyer with a 4-3 win

In a fledgling season where Nomads have begun strongly a strong attacking line up arrived for the early morning push back. With clear autumn skies above, the warming sun set the scene for a pleasant derby day, down at Cambridge South’s once bouncy-castle pitch. A keen Nomads side arrived early to familiarise themselves with the alternative astro (away from our Pleasure Beach).

South initiated proceedings with Nomads pushing high and keeping up the early pressure. With early pressure down the flanks and a run into the D, Whiffen bundled to the floor failed to find favour with the Umpires. Still both teams moved the ball quickly and kept the pace up. Nomads, for the most part, kept the pressure on the home side ensuring little time was granted to South.

Repeated pressure down the right finally paid off. Super-sub Max on, repeatedly pressured the D, putting strong flat balls in, until intelligently putting in a bobbling cross which evaded two defenders' sticks, but fell squarely onto a charging Toya at the back post to slot in. 1-0 Nomads.

The glory was short lived, and with South’s next counter attack they found a way through. A strong ball in from the 23 ricocheted between Nomads sticks, before finding a South stick to deflect home. 1-1.

Nomads sat back and let South back into the game, defending deep. Waves of pressure stopped with the halftime whistle. A positive team talk identified their key players and urged Nomads to press as a unit.

Into the second half and Nomads put the pressure on South’s defence. Whiffen and Sugi tried linking up down the right, but the quick pitch meant the balls out ran the electric winger. Down the left Toya and Jarvis connected beautifully, regularly finding space and making it towards the opposition D.

After a wave of Nomads' pressure Woody picked up the ball in the mid-field and pushed forward. Taking a chance on the bouncy pitch he fired a ball into the D, Whiffen getting a nick to megs the keeper. 2-1 Nomads.

With this, despite South’s strong lateral movement, they were forced to chase the game, opening up space in the midfield. Opportunities came Nomads way. Sugi down the right shot past the South defence, hit the by-line and passed across goal. Arthur scuffed the stop but it deflected to Toya charging in to put the game to rest. 3-1 Nomads.

Waves of pressure continued with a mix of Arthur, Woody, Ed and Rick controlling the middle. This continued to open up space down the left and Jarvis released Toya, who weaved through three South defenders before distributing to Ed on the top of the D. From there, Ed used the pitch to his advantage to bobble a ball past defenders' sticks and the keeper's pads. Word has it made it to the back board. 4-1 Nomads.

With the game wrapped up Nomads sat back and South took their chance to attack. The defence held firm save for a few short corners. With the defence keeping firm Woody made a strong challenge that was rewarded with a flash of green – 5 mins off for our holding man. The following short corner was struck firmly to the bottom right, but a fine stop from Tom Jarvis (who had been reading the pitch and picking balls beautifully all day) intercepted the shot. However the ball bounced cruelly, with back spin taking it towards the goal line. A scramble ensued with South getting the better of the Nomads defence. 4-2.

The game played out with South on the attack, but without time to make any more difference.

A final couple of notes for Matt’s snow plough attack, dislodging a resolute South defender from his feet and Ed’s mystery whistle – where in the middle of the park, in possession and in space he suddenly stopped and looked around. Time stood still. As did everyone, unsure of what was happening. Before a South midfielder poached the ball and Ed realised the whistle hadn’t been blown! Thankfully no goal followed.
Back in the changing rooms, last week’s mystery ‘Sea Salt and Kelp’ Shower Gel was attributed to a certain Jez Cotton. Jez – only manly shower gel from now on, otherwise a series of fines might be coming your way.

Anyway, back to the hockey – a strong team performance to get Nomads derby day off to a good start. Roll on next week.

Match Report by Thom Whiffen