MOVE FOR MUTTON SPICES UP DERBY

Aug 30 2002 By David Triggs, Deeside Chronicle

TOMMY Mutton's on-off move to Connah's Quay Nomads could be completed in time for tonight's Deeside Stadium derby against Caernarfon Town (7.30).

Mutton played in the Canaries' 1-1 draw at Aberystwyth on Saturday but Nomads manager Nev Powell spent last night in transfer talks with the 24-year-old striker.

Powell served a seven-day notice on Mutton last Thursday and was conf ident of ending his 18-month quest to bring the prolif ic forward to Deeside in time for tonight's LoW clash.

Said Powell: 'I've been trying to sign Tommy for a while now and at last it looks like he's coming here.

'He's a quality goalscorer and would walk into most teams in the LoW. He will give us a real cutting edge and it would be ironic if his f irst game for us was against Caernarfon!'

Mutton, who has LoW experience with Rhyl, scored 22 league goals in 34 appearances for the Canaries last season, making him the third-highest scorer behind Bangor's Marc Lloyd-Wil liams and Barry Town's Jamie Moralee.

While Mutton could be in line for an appearance against his former team-mates tonight, two ex-Nomads return to their old stomping ground following summer moves to The Oval.

Centre-back and former club captain Carl Smyth, who made more than 250 appearances in a seven-year spell on Deeside, left after seeing his first-team chances limited last season.

Winger Lloyd Roberts enjoyed an excellent debut season for Nomads in the LoW but angered Powell by signing for Adie Jones in pre-season.

Both are included in Jones' squad tonight and the Caernarfon boss is relishing the fixture.

He said: 'North Wales derbies are always lively affairs and they're pretty cut and thrust.

'There's added spice tonight with Carl and Lloyd going back to their former club.'

Caernarfon will be without defender Mark Antrobus while Nomads welcome back strikers Adam Arkell and Steve Mc-Cormick, midfielder Jon Kenworthy and defender Steve Hopkins.

The quartet missed Tuesday's 6-0 League of Wales Cup humiliation at Caerwys and could all start tonight.

Nomads lost to the Canaries three times last season - twice in the LoW and in the North Wales Coast FA Cup final.

Players from Nomads' youth academy were in action at Rhyl on Monday as Wales Under-19s beat a LoW (North) Under-19s side 7-1.

Alex Sumner, Jody Chambers, Matty Phillips and Tom Bellis were in the LoW squad while Carl Butler and John Roberts made the Welsh squad.

For more information on how to sign up for Nomads' academy contact Steve Gelder on 07976 232771.