Nomads produce five-star show to go top of the table

Nomads produce five-star show to go top of the table

30 January 2013

NEWCASTLE Nomads moved into pole position in Senior 4 with this superb win over promotion rivals Holywood.

Having already defeated the visitors earlier in the season, the locals were confident of taking maximum points which they did in style.

The Nomads took the lead in the first minute leaving Holywood with a mountain to climb. Helena Majury dispossessed a Hollywood player on the halfway line and passed to skipper Sancha Robinson who picked out the unmarked Jill Harkness who made no mistake, drilling the ball past the ‘keeper.

Two minutes later the home side led 2-0.

Jean Erskine found Robinson in the middle of the park and she drove forward, picking out the unmarked Amy Burtney at the back post who tapped the ball home.

Holywood rallied and Nomads ‘keeper Jenny Watson had to be alert, making a number of important saves before the Nomads took a 3-0 lead in the 18th minute.

Kate Goodman fed Erskine who switched the ball to Kate Dornan who in turn found Robinson on the halfway line. The home skipper drove forward and squared the ball to Clare Calvert who drew the ‘keeper before scoring.

Hollywood had nothing to lose and rallied, but great tackling by Carol Moore, Goodman, Elsie Colmer and Kirsty Taggart kept the visitors out until just before the break when a rasping shot gave Watson no chance.

Newcastle perhaps should have went into the break with a bigger lead, but the Holywood ‘keeper denied Dornan, Robinson, Harkness and Erskine.

In the second half, great defensive play from Gaye Campbell and Goodman kept Hollywood at bay and when the visitors thought they had made it 3-2

in the 45th minute, a goal-bound shot from a short corner was cleared off the line.

The Nomads made it 4-0 in 55th minute with a great short corner strike from Robinson and she doubled her goals tally on the 63rd minute after great work on the right from Majury who found Erskine. She in turn whipped the ball into the circle and Robinson made it 5-1.

Hollywood did force a few short corners late on, but Watson made a few great saves and the defenders ahead of her were also superb.

• Newcastle Nomads seconds had no game last weekend, but this Saturday are scheduled to face Carrick thirds at home at 1pm.

Final score: Newcastle Nomads 5 Holywood Ladies 1.