Nomads 2s put 5 past City

Cambridge City – old acquaintances, but are they friends or foes? Probably a bit of both. But unlike some historic encounters with our near, dear, old neighbours, this one was largely good natured, and not without some moments of humour.

Those of us who have played many times against the “old enemy” are well used to turning up with a bare 11, and facing off against 16 sprightly men/boys in red. This encounter was pleasingly different. Nomads manged to beg, borrow and steal a healthy 14 on a day when 4 mens teams were playing. This is progress. And City had “only” 12. As an alternative to the ‘old normal’, this felt good.

But City started the game surprisingly well for a team floundering in the table, without a win to their name. Neat City passing from the off meant Nomads had to wait a good few minutes before finally getting the feel of ball on stick. At which point they headed-off neatly to the other end and promptly scored, 4 or 5 passes ending up with Paul presenting Lloydy with the ball, barely 5 metres out from the centre of their goal. We all know how this ends.

Will Mort was late, even by his standards, very late. Nomads were already ahead by the time he meandered into the pitch 3 cage. We don’t quite understand how this can be. Something about a missing mouth-guard. Last time it was missing Astro-shoes! Either way it was unacceptable, and Dad was angry. Unconcerned though, Will joined the game and promptly scored Nomad’s second goal with his first touch – joining on to another of Paul’s right sided deliveries. This just isn’t fair. His Dad attempted on more than one occasion to score a goal on Saturday, but tragically none of these good chances yielded a positive outcome. It is coming though, be sure of this.

Nomads 2s are top of the Div 3NW table – did you know? They have won 5 league games, despite only playing 4. This is cunning. Everyone else gets a bye when they don’t play Spalding or Bourne Deeping 3rd teams, but Nomads registered a 5-0 win and have soared to the head of the table with an unassailable points total*. Until someone realises this anomaly. Even then Nomads will remain top – but with goal difference only differentiating them from other high flying teams, all of whom they will encounter in November. For now we just bask in 2 inactive weeks in the knowledge that we have started well, but also in the knowledge that we will need to be better when we return, to take on Ely, March, and Wisbech.

But back to Saturday’s game. Late in the 1st half, the juvenile delinquent (not Lloydy) bagged his second of the match with a cross that surprised everyone by going straight into the goal. The otherwise excellent City keeper making a rare error of judgement about the positioning of his post. Which we assumed hadn’t moved. Will didn’t mind, he seems to have a good knack – except when going full-Tomahawk, which to date this season has mostly yielded thin air.
Then we had half time. This is traditional, and gives Felix a chance to rev up the team. We started the second half quite poorly though. These 2 things are not connected. But perhaps leaving Ganja on the side is. Who knows? Maybe he becomes a better player when he isn’t actually playing. I like this analogy, but it taxes the brain.
After more huffing and puffing in and around the City D and goal, they then had the temerity to break away and score. It certainly wasn’t a pretty few moments for the Nomads highlights reel, but the City youngster involved showed much persistence and determination to keep harrying our defenders and eventually poke the ball past the sorely under-utilised John in goal. Was this the start of a stirring fightback from City?
Not really – Nomads regained possession for most of the remaining minutes and a flurry of 2 goals in the last 5 minutes, another from Lloydy, and then Paul bagged himself a smartly finished goal from Ganja’s precise delivery.
So 5-1 it ended. Based on possession and territory it probably didn’t flatter Nomads, and the City ‘keeper made a number of good stops. He was especially keen to keep out anything from Felix, who was playing in his marauding, goal-scoring, left winger modus operandi – “Whatever we do - WE DO NOT LET FELIX SCORE”. Had us all laughing. And he did win that battle!
Plus the subsequent beer, pizza, and banter at the Red Bull, from both squads, was top. Nomads Men won all 4 of their games. I love hockey.
*Hot off the press: The anomaly has now been corrected in the GMS table, and once again goal-difference only keeps us top!