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Football: Nomads set their sights on Welsh Cup progress

GAP Connah’s Quay boss Mark McGregor will be looking for his side to continue their fine cup form at the weekend.

Nomads travel south to take on Afon Lido on Saturday (2pm), who sit fourth in the Welsh League. And McGregor has his sights set on the Welsh Cup quarter-finals after reaching the semi-finals of this season’s Loosemores Cup.

“It’s going to be a hard game down there as they are doing well in their league, but we’ve done really well in the cup competitions this season so we’re hoping to get through this one,” said the ex-Wrexham man.

Nomads, giving a debut to former Manchester United starlet Aaron Burns, lost 4-1 at champions Rhyl on Saturday, with the hosts netting twice in the last five minutes.

“We had a man sent off after about 25 minutes but I thought we created a good number good chances, as did they, and it was a pretty entertaining game,” added McGregor.

“We had a goal disallowed from Aaron Burns, who also hit the post with a header, so I thought we gave as good as we got.”

And McGregor will be hoping Burns can fire his side into the top 12 by the end of the season.

“He’s quality,” beamed the boss. “It worked out to be a pretty hard game for him because we had a man sent off, so we had to leave him up front on his own to forage around. It was a really promising debut for him and he got his goal as well.”

Burns began his career at Old Trafford, where he was the top scorer for United’s U17s in 2004.

He joined Cardiff City in 2007 but, due to the signing of former England international Robbie Fowler shortly after his arrival, Burns went on loan to FC United of Manchester.

The 22-year-old then joined Droylsden before signing for Northwich Victoria, who loaned him to Altrincham this season.

Andy Alston will be suspended for the cup tie and Craig Jones serves the last game of his ban.

Spaces are available on the team coach for fans who wish to travel to Afon Lido.

For £10, which includes a meal break en route, supporters can "be a part of the team" before and after the match.

Anybody interested can phone club secretary Ally Bennett on 07916 076 454 before Friday.