RUTHIN Town manager Phil Hudson says he 'can''t wait for the draw' against potential top-flight clubs after Ruthin Town advanced from the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a 2-0 victory over Conwy Borough.

The match played at Y Morfa on Saturday saw both JD Cymru North clubs play their first competitive matches in around nine months.

The 2019/20 campaign ended abruptly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the return of the Nathaniel MG Cup gave clubs in tier two their first taste of competitive action since March.

Ruthin however had been flying in 'pre-season' heading into their cup tie, having beaten the likes of Rhyl 1879 and local rivals Corwen.

The first round saw Northern teams from tier two face one another, and likewise down South. Teams from the JD Cymru Premier will join the draw for round two.

The cup victory was Hudson's first competitive match in charge of the club alongside fellow coach Tommy Holmes, with Matthew Jones also leading from the sideline in his first official match with Conwy Borough.

A cagey opening to proceedings brought little in the way of goalmouth action, but the visitors managed to get their noses in front midway through the half when a long-range attempt from Jamie Cunning flew past Borough stopper Rory Crowther and into the net.

The introduction of prolific striker Corrig McGonigle just before the break provided the home side with a spark, but they were unable to make anything of their brief dominance.

A neat move on 49 minutes was then finished off in style by Josh Jones, and although the hosts huffed and puffed throughout the second period, they didn’t manage to find a route back into the tie.

Commenting on the match, Ruthin manager Hudson said: "After some good performances in friendlies, we were full of confidence ahead of the trip to Conwy Borough, but still trying to get used to playing during the pandemic. We prepped the lads as best as we could and gave them a plan and a style we want to play.

"Conwy are a good outfit with plenty of threats so we knew the players would have to apply themselves how we wanted them to if we were going to get anything. We started well and hit the post early on after some good football, we continue to try and play the right way and had a couple of half chances before Jamie hit a wonder strike right over the keeper to give us the lead.

"Its fantastic to be through to the next round with the Cymru Premier sides and we cant wait for the draw."