Nomads storm past Bucks to reach Welsh Cup Semis

Jordan Davies, Harry Franklin, Ryan Harrington and Jack Kenny scored all four goals as The Nomads booked their place in the JD Welsh Cup Semi-Finals with a 4-1 victory over Buckley Town.

Davies capitalized on a defensive mistake to open the scoring before Franklin doubled the lead with a superbly placed header. Nomads transitioned their dominance into the second half as Ryan Harrington’s stunning strike and Jack Kenny’s composed finish wrapped up a terrific afternoon in the Flintshire derby.

Team News
Neil Gibson returned to the dugout this afternoon and made just one change to the side that defeated Newtown as Noah Edwards made his way to full fitness to replace Aron Williams.

The First Half
It was a very quiet opening 15 minutes at The Globe. Buckley came closest with an audacious effort from Josh Jones, who spotted Andy Firth slightly off his line and went for the spectacular, but his strike flew narrowly over the bar and the scoreline remained goalless.

Things were very even as we reached the midway stage of the first half, but a slip up within the Bucks backline proved to be costly as The Nomads opened the scoring through Jordan Davies.

Ben Nash’s long ball into the box caused confusion amongst goalkeeper Ryan Goldston and the defensive duo of Callum Humphries and Josh Allen, therefore allowing Jack Kenny to nod the ball down for Davies, who slid in to find the back of the net for his seventh goal of the competition.

The hosts were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty moments after Davies’ opener as Adam Boydell went to ground following a challenge from Josh Williams. However, the referee saw nothing in the challenge and continued with play.

Harry Franklin got his name on the scoresheet for the first time in 2024 as he doubled The Nomads’ lead in the 35th minute. Declan Poole drifted into space down the right hand side and delivered a pinpoint ball into an unmarked Franklin, who made no mistake finding the back of the net with his well-timed header.

Ben Nash, who continued to wear the captain’s armband in the absence of John Disney, almost added a third before the interval as his powerful header from Josh Williams’ corner flew inches over the bar.

The Second Half
The Nomads started the second half in the best way possible as Ryan Harrington scored his fifth goal of the season. The full back teased Josh Allen inside the area before shaping onto his left foot and firing into the far corner, leaving Goldston no chance of the save to make it three.

Buckley substitute Max Moore made an instant impact off the bench as he pulled a goal back for his side just two minutes after entering the field. Fellow substitute Jamie Reed tapped the ball into the path of Moore, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Ben Nash and beat Andy Firth.

Although frustrated that their hopes of a clean sheet had faded away, The Nomads certainly didn’t let their goalscoring touch go to waste as Jack Kenny restored the three-goal cushion 90 seconds after Moore netted for the Bucks.

Ryan Harrington turned goalscorer into provider as his defence-splitting pass into Kenny allowed the striker to round Goldston and slide the ball home into an empty net.

Asa Hamilton’s side didn’t give up hopes of a potential comeback as Moore nearly grabbed his second of the afternoon with a sweetly struck volley which forced Firth into an impressive diving save.

Substitute Jack Burman almost made it a five star Nomads performance as we neared the full time whistle. Franklin laid the ball off to Burman, who was invited to shoot from the edge of the area and he was only a whisker away from finding the top corner with his curling effort.

The Nomads saw out the final few minutes to secure a sixth consecutive away victory and book their place in back-to-back JD Welsh Cup Semi-Finals.

The Nomads will be looking to avenge last season’s defeat in the final four and go one step further with hopes of a first cup final under Neil Gibson.

Next Fixture
The Nomads return to JD Cymru Premier Phase Two action next weekend as Cardiff Met make the journey up to the Essity Stadium. Neil Gibson’s side will be searching for another important three points in their bid for more European football.

The match against Cardiff Met will take place on Saturday 24th February with a scheduled 5:15pm kick off time.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer