Milford Mercury | Local News, Sport & Entertainment

High five for Nomads

From the Milford Mercury, first published Thursday 21st Apr 2005.

Neyland 5 Merlins Bridge 0 THEY may be known as the Nomads, but Neyland have proved they are well at home in the top league of Pembrokeshire football.

Mark `Bossy' Edwards' men lashed five past a shell-shocked Goodwick in midweek and then repeated the dose when Merlins Bridge came to town on Saturday.

That means Neyland will finish eighth in their first season back in division one after coming up with Kilgetty last year.

The Nomads flew out of the blocks against a Bridge side which was missing key players and the defence struggled to cope with the pace of Shane Phillips and Paul Hannon up front.

Hannon played a key part in the Nomads' opening goal with one of his trademark long throws.

With players bunching at the front post the ball was hurled in with height and pace. The bounce deceived keeper Dai Smith and right-winger Jason Phillips was left with the simple task to nod in from two yards.

It should have been 2-0 just minutes later when Hannon again tormented the Bridge defence and rolled the ball into the path of Shane Phillips.

But Phillips somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from almost directly on the goal-line.

But Neyland remained on top and were not made to rue the chance. Hannon again provided the ammunition and Phillips this time made no mistake, heading powerfully into the net.

Phillips added the third from Adam La Rosa's through-ball soon after. Goalkeeper Smith was caught in two minds whether to come out or not and before he had time to react, Phillips lashed his shot into the bottom corner.

It was one way traffic now and Jason Phillips added his second and his side's fourth.

Phillips burst into the box and fired at goal. His first effort was blocked but there was no stopping him at the second attempt.

Left winger Andrew Ablitt got in on the act for number five before half-time and Neyland were cruising.

Merlins Bridge switched Stephen Atyeo to centre back from midfield in the second period and he helped plug the gaps in the Bridge defence.

Neyland were guilty of wasting several chances to extend their lead further but at the other end goalkeeper Graham Keen was little more than a spectator as Neyland romped to their second impressive win in a week.

Neyland: Graham Keen, Lyndon Frayling, Gerrard Gray, Stephen Rhead, Andrew Perkins, Adam La Rosa, Wayne Parry, Andrew Ablitt, Jason Phillips, Shane Phillips, Paul Hannon. Subs: Patrick Hannon, Mark Edwards, Craig Power.

Merlins Bridge: Dai Smith, Peter Thomas, Chris Ormond, Stephen Atyeo, Geraint Oulton, Simon Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Sean Jones, Simon Gilderdale, Lee Gilpin, Steve Thompson. Sub: Peter Jones.

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