By Helen Machalias (Armidale Express, 23/06/2008)
The New England Nomads overcame player shortages to defeat the Muswellbrook Cats on their home turf in the Tamworth Australian Football League (TAFL) on Saturday.

The score of the Nomad’s 12-9-81 to the Cats’ 11-5-71 reflects the intense match, with Muswellbrook leading , in the first and second quarters, with the Nomads only making a comeback in the second half of the game.

Nomads coach Brendan Meehan described the win as a ‘hard fought game’, explaining that because of university holidays the team struggled for numbers, with only 18 players available on the day.

In the interests of fairness, the game was played 16-a-side, with Glenn Northway playing a particularly outstanding game.

Matt Maxwell, Anthony Reid and Clinton Ballagh also had a good game, with newcomer Ken Clayton stepping up to the mark and playing well.

Meehan predicts that over the next few weeks the Nomads will struggle for numbers because of the university holidays.

“We’ll just have to see who’s available,” he said.

Next week is a home game against Gunnedah, with Meehan predicting another competitive game, as the teams are almost equally placed on the ladder, with Gunnedah only one game behind.

“Last time we faced them we only beat them by three goals.

“We are trying to consolidate our spot in the finals so if we get another one that would be great.”

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