Nathaniel MG Cup – Buckley land Nomads in next stage, plus round one reports
Buckley Town have landed a big test at home to Welsh Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads in round two of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Ties in the next stage of the competition will be played on the weekend of 2-4 August.
The draws for both rounds were made at the same time last month, leaving some clubs waiting to find out who their R2 opponents would be.
Round two is also the stage where the second tier clubs with a first round bye and the JD Cymru Premier clubs enter the competition.
In the Northern section, Buckley’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Prestatyn Town in the first round has earned them a home tie against fellow Flintshire side Nomads, who have lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup on three previous occasions.
Elsewhere, Ruthin Town’s reward for edging past Bangor 1876 is another home tie against 2023 cup winners Bala Town.
DRAW: Nathaniel MG Cup round two – Northern Section
Buckley Town v Connah’s Quay Nomads
The New Saints v Flint Town United
Llandudno v Guilsfield
Gresford Athletic v Airbus UK Broughton
Ruthin Town v Bala Town
Colwyn Bay v Aberystwyth Town
Newtown v Caernarfon Town
Holywell Town v Llay Miners Welfare
ROUND ONE REPORTS – SATURDAY, JULY 20
Buckley Town 5 Prestatyn Town 1
Max Moore’s first half hat-trick inspired Bucks to a resounding 5-1 victory over Prestatyn at The Globe.
Moore broke the deadlock in the ninth minute before turning provider for summer signing Rhys Edwards on 11.
Oli Buckley halved the deficit in his first match back at Prestatyn, but two quickfire goals from Moore saw him complete his treble before half-time.
Stags substitute Connor Littler added a fifth in the second half to round off a thumping home win.
Airbus UK Broughton 3 Mold Alexandra 2
Ten-man Airbus produced a gutsy performance to overcome Mold 3-2 at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
Craig Rogers bagged the opening goal for Alex with a sweetly struck free-kick after 21 minutes and things appeared to get worse for Airbus when Joe Palmer was shown a second yellow card on 38.
However, new Wingmakers frontman Danny Warren haunted his former club by equalising in first half stoppage time, while goals from Kaiden Cooke and Ollie Lanceley completed the turnaround for the hosts after the break.
Rogers scored his and Mold’s second with two minutes of the 90 remaining, but Airbus held on to secure their place in round two.
Llandudno 3 Newport County 0
A debut double for Adam Stephens helped Llandudno secure a 3-0 victory over wildcard side Newport, who fielded a mainly under-18 line-up.
Stephens netted his brace either side of Nelson Balde Sanca’s own-goal to seal progression for the Seasiders.
Llandudno’s second round opponents will be Guilsfield, who also impressed in their season opener with a 3-0 win at Penrhyncoch.
All three goals came in the first 23 minutes as Joe Haycock, Chris Cathrall and James Smallwood all found the target to give the Guils a perfect start to life without former boss Nathan Leonard.
Caersws 0 Holywell Town 1
He’s picked up where he left off last season – Holywell’s regular match-winner Jamie Breese!
JD Cymru North champions Town left it late to book their spot in the second round as they overcame Caersws 1-0 at the Recreation Ground.
The decisive moment arrived in the third minute of second half stoppage time as Breese beat Caersws goalkeeper Steffan Jones to a loose ball before slotting into an empty net.
Friday scores (reports featured on Grassroots North Wales on Friday evening)
Llay Welfare 3 Denbigh Town 1
Flint Mountain 0 Gresford Athletic 3
Ruthin Town 2 Bangor 1876 1