Debut goals for Fumpa and Berry as Nomads progress

Debut goals for Fumpa Mwandwe and Tyler Berry, along with a Callum Humphries own goal, earned The Nomads an emphatic 3-0 victory at Buckley Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round as our domestic season got underway.

Fumpa was quick to announce himself in Nomads colours as his header from close range got things rolling in the 12th minute. The Bucks were tough to break down and even had chances of their own in the second half, but eventually The Nomads doubled their lead Callum Humphries turned the ball into his own net from Jordan Pownall’s low cross.

The tie was put to bed in the fifth minute of stoppage time as teenage substitute Tyler Berry tucked away a superb solo goal on his first team debut.

Team News
Fumpa Mwandwe, Elliott Dugan and Ben Maher all started their first competitive match for The Nomads. Summer signings George Ratcliffe and Chris Marriott were also named in the starting eleven as Ben Nash took up the captaincy duties in place of John Disney, who started on the bench.

There were two changes for Buckley Town following their goalless draw with Penrhyncoch in the JD Cymru North last weekend as first-choice captain Callum Humphries and forward Brad Knight replaced Charlie Urquhart and Rhys Edwards.

The First Half
The opening goal almost arrived with less than a minute on the clock as Aron Williams’ cross nearly ended up in the back of the net from a sliding interception.

Buckley may have survived some early chances for The Nomads, but eventually the breakthrough was found by Fumpa Mwandwe, who was on hand to head home into an empty net after the hosts failed to clear Williams’ header back across goal.

The Nomads continued to apply pressure onto their opponents and it was Dan Roberts who came closest to doubling the advantage as his overhead kick attempt from Chris Marriott’s cross forced a save from Ryan Goldston.

The chances kept on coming for The Nomads as Fumpa’s header at the back post from Elliott Dugan’s delivery was saved by Goldston. Dugan came inches away from scoring in superb style from the edge of the area, but his shot curled inches wide of the bottom corner.

Buckley’s best chance of the half came courtesy of Max Moore in the 36th minute. The attacker found space around 15 yards from goal, but he was unable to find the target as he fired over the bar, not troubling George Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe was forced into his first major save of the match in the final chance before the break as the former Cymru U21’s goalkeeper denied Liam Driscoll’s low drive across goal.

The Second Half
A goalmouth scramble four minutes after the restart almost saw the home side level the scoreline. The ball fell out to Scott McHarrie, who charged down the ball and powerfully struck goalwards, but a crucial block in the six yard box allowed Ratcliffe to collect and halt the danger.

New Buckley signing Brad Knight later had two opportunities in quick succession, but both of his headed efforts were comfortably saved by Ratcliffe, which came to the frustration of Knight.

The Nomads then made three substitutions in the space of six minutes as John Disney, Jordan Pownall and Luca Hogan came on for Declan Poole, Ben Maher and Elliott Dugan.

Hogan and Pownall did not take long to make an impact up front as in the 77th minute, the pair were at the heart of a well-worked move to make it 2-0.

Pownall’s low ball from the right hand side was intended for Hogan, but a block from Bucks captain Callum Humphries still took the ball beyond Ryan Goldston and into the back of the net.

The third goal arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time and it was a moment to savour for Tyler Berry, who starred for the academy last season.

Given an unforgettable opportunity after coming on for our first goalscorer Fumpa, Berry launched a counter-attack, raced into the area, cut inside onto his left foot and calmly slotted past Goldston to score his first senior Nomads goal and confirm the club’s spot in round three.

What’s next?
The Nomads get their JD Cymru Premier campaign underway next Sunday at 2:30pm as Haverfordwest County make the long journey up to the Essity Stadium.

Neil Gibson’s side will be seeking revenge after the Bluebirds prevailed 2-1 in this fixture last season.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer