The 2024/25 Welsh domestic campaign got underway with an entertaining weekend of Nathaniel MG Cup first round action.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Two
Northern Section
Buckley Town were the standout performers of the weekend as Max Moore’s first half hat-trick inspired them to a 5-1 victory over Prestatyn Town at The Globe.
Moore broke the deadlock in the ninth minute before turning provider for summer signing Rhys Edwards two minutes later. Oli Buckley halved the deficit on his first match back in Prestatyn colours, but two quickfire goals from Moore saw him complete his hat-trick before half-time.
Bucks substitute Connor Littler added a fifth in the second half to round off a stellar performance and set up an exciting second round clash against fellow Flintshire side Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Llay Miners Welfare marked their Nathaniel MG Cup debut in style as the newly-promoted JD Cymru North side came from behind to win 3-1 against Denbigh Town at The Ring.
Denbigh forward Owen Davies continued his fine form from the second half of last season as he opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but his strike was cancelled out by Matthew Worrall who found the net against his former club in first half stoppage time.
Llay completed their comeback with two goals in as many minutes midway through the second half, as a clinical finish from Ruben Lima put them ahead before Worrall grabbed his second of the evening.
Ten-man Airbus UK Broughton produced a gutsy performance to overcome fellow Flintshire side Mold Alexandra 3-2 at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
Craig Rogers bagged the opening goal for Mold 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 seven minutes before half-time.
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 of the afternoon with two minutes of the 90 remaining, but Airbus held on to secure their place in round two.
A debut double for Adam Stephens helped Llandudno secure a 3-0 victory over wildcard side Newport County at Measdu Park.
New signing Stephens, who worked with manager Jordan Hadaway at Cefn Druids two seasons ago, netted his 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 of the match 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.
JD Cymru North champions Holywell 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 Jamie Breese beat Caersws goalkeeper Steffan Jones to a loose ball before slotting into an empty net.
Gresford Athletic emphatically booked their place in round two as Dominic Deacon’s brace inspired the Colliers to a 3-0 win over ten-man Flint Mountain at the Essity Stadium.
After a goalless first period, Paul Johnson gave Gresford a dream start to the second half with the opening goal, shortly before Ryan Kershaw was sent off for the hosts.
The defender’s dismissal allowed Gresford to make the most of the numerical advantage as Deacon’s two goals sealed a comfortable first round win.
Ruthin Town survived a late scare against Bangor 1876 to reach the second round with a 2-1 win at Memorial Playing Fields.
New signings Josh Evans and Jack Edwards scored their first goals for Ruthin as the home side went two goals to the good in the second half.
Bangor’s talisman Corrig McGonigle gave his team a slight lifeline with his finish in the tenth minute of stoppage time, but it was too late for Mike Johnston’s side to find an equaliser.
Southern Section
Last season’s runners-up Swansea City suffered a shock first round exit after a penalty shootout defeat to Baglan Dragons on Sunday afternoon.
The Swans went ahead through Sammy Henia-Kamau after just 10 minutes, but the Dragons quickly responded as Dylan Thomas made it 1-1 with a clinical finish. The tie remained level after 90 minutes, meaning spot-kicks would decide who progressed.
Dragons goalkeeper Mathew Stanton saved Swansea’s first effort from Henia-Kamau and after all other penalties had been scored, Dylan Thomas converted from 12 yards to send Carl Clement’s side through.
More than 1,000 fans watched on as wildcard entrant Cardiff City progressed to the second round with a 3-1 over Afan Lido at Princess Margaret Way.
Jon Hood marked his return to Lido with a calmly converted penalty to cancel out Trey George’s early opener, but a quickfire double from Bluebirds substitute Cody Twose sealed their passage through.
Perhaps the standout performance in the Southern section came from Goytre United, who claimed a 4-1 victory away at newly-promoted JD Cymru South side Penrhiwceiber Rangers.
Brandon Davies gave Rangers a dream start, but their lead did not last long as Kyle Williams’ fine strike made it one apiece before a terrific curling free-kick from Keane Watts turned the tie around.
Rangers’ frustration grew as Harvey Hughes missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, and the spurned opportunity allowed Goyt to extend their lead as a quickfire double from Rhys Thomas put the match to bed.
Wildcard entrant Merthyr Town were victorious on their return to the Nathaniel MG Cup as Isaac Richards’ brace inspired them to a 3-1 win at Taffs Well.
Richards popped up with two classy finishes in the second half to restore the Martyrs’ lead after Wellmen captain Vaughn Fowler had cancelled out Tom Handley’s opening goal.
Simon Berry’s first competitive match in charge of Cwmbran Celtic ended in defeat as Trethomas Bluebirds ran out 3-2 victors in a topsy-turvy encounter at Celtic Park.
Celtic led at the break after goals from Alex Bonthron and Andy Larcombe cancelled out Levi Rees’ opener, but the visitors responded well in the second half to complete the turnaround.
Leon Thomas pulled the Bluebirds level shortly after the restart before substitute Alfie Jones, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, set up Will Bevan for what turned out to be the winning goal.
Arguably the best goal of the first round came courtesy of Llantwit Major’s Nathan Renfree, who scored a stunning free-kick in a 2-0 win over Newport City.
Matty Kimmins found a first half breakthrough for Major after firing home from a goalmouth scramble, but the standout moment of the match came just before the hour mark as Renfree stood over a wide free kick and tremendously curled the ball into the top corner, leaving Newport goalkeeper Cohen Riella no chance of the save.
Two first half goals were enough for Caerau Ely to progress as they narrowly defeated Trefelin 2-1 at Cwrt yr Ala Road.
Olly Redhead opened the scoring just before the half hour mark, while captain Jack Ashford doubled the hosts’ advantage from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time.
Callum Jenkins pulled a goal back for Trefelin on his debut for the club, but the Caerau Ely were able to hold on and earn victory ahead of the two sides’ meeting on the opening day of the JD Cymru South season next weekend.
Carmarthen Town produced a second half turnaround to triumph 2-1 against Cambrian United at the LHP Stadium.
Dan Spencer headed home from close range to put the visitors ahead, but their resistance was broken on the hour mark as Lee Surman tucked away an equaliser.
The Old Gold continued to apply pressure, and eventually edged in front through Jordan Vickers, whose shot from the edge of the box sailed over United goalkeeper Morgan Davies.
