Title rivals Chesterfield and Ruscoe praise Nomads Irn Bru-Cup run

They may be early season title rivals this season, but both Gavin Chesterfield and Scott Ruscoe have praised the Nomads for reaching the semi-final of the Irn Bru-Cup.

The Nomads will now play against either Edinburgh City, Ross County and the winner of the Bohemians v East Fife tie, which will be played in the new year.

It is the furthest they’ve gone in the competition, having previously not made it past the first stage in previous seasons.

The Deeside based side reached the semi-final stage, having beaten amateur side Queens Park at Hampden Park, despite falling behind.

Andy Morrison’s side fell behind to a Lewis Hawke goal, but two goals from George Horan and Michael Wilde in the final ten minutes of the game gave the Welsh Cup winners the victory.

Scott Ruscoe led The New Saints to the semi-final of the competition last season. The New Saints exited the competition to Queens Park but praised the Nomads desire to win the game.

“Excellent. Going 1-0 down, it shows how resolute they’re to show the desire to come from behind to win the game.

They got a good side there and if they win their game in hand in the Welsh Premier League, they will move back to the top of the table.”

Barry were the final game in the Welsh Premier League that the Nomads had played, before travelling up to Scotland this week. The Dragons drew 2-2 at the Deeside Stadium, as the two could not be separated.

Gavin Chesterfield texted Nomads manager Andy Morrison after the final whistle, to congratulate him on making this stage of the competition.

Chesterfield said: “It is fantastic that they went all the way to Hampden Park, a historic ground like that and I seen that they went 1-0 down, so to show the character they did to come back and win 2-1 is fantastic.

Great for them, first and foremost, great for the league and long may it continue. Hopefully, they can now do well in the semi-final.”

(Featured Image: NCM Media)