ASA HAMILTON is hoping the playing surface at The Globe will give his Buckley Town side an edge in a huge Flintshire second round showdown.

Cymru North Buckley have home advantage against top flight Connah’s Quay Nomads, who are opening their competitive campaign domestically.

Boss Hamilton told the Buckley Facebook page: “There’s going to be 11 men against 11 men and you work hard, you’ll get chances.

“Listen, they’ve lost a lot of players. Obviously, they are what they are.

“They’re the second best team in Wales. That’s the truth, but at the end of the day, this pitch won’t suit them. You’ve got to go out and give your best.”

Hamilton wasn’t best pleased with his side’s showing in a 0-0 draw at home to Penrhyncoch to open the league season last weekend and he added: “It can only get better from that performance.

“But, usually, if it comes to Connah’s Quay, to be fair we should be good next week.

“We’re up and down. Hopefully, we’ll be good next week against Connah’s Quay.”

Tomorrow’s tie is Nomads’ first match since suffering extra-time heartache in the Europa Conference where they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by NK Bravo.

Neil Gibson’s side were favourites to go through at home after a brilliant 1-0 away victory in Slovenia.

The Nomads boss will rally his troops and captain John Disney has praised Gibson for the work he’s done at the club.

“Gibbo’s a great manager and a good person,” said Disney. “Being captain, there’s not a day when I don’t speak to him.

“He’s meticulous in his planning and he’s changed the way we play - it’s massively different to how we played when Andy Morrison was manager.

“I think Gibbo’s gone under the radar a bit for what he’s achieved; finishing runners-up to TNS again and beating them in the Welsh Cup final.”

With Josh Williams, Ryan Harrington, Andy Firth and last season’s top scorer Jordan Davies among those to leave the club, who does Disney see as one of his key Quay players this season?

“I’d have to say Declan Poole,” added Disney. “He’s consistent and is always up there when it comes to assists.

“But it’s a team effort here at Nomads. We’ve had a few changes but we’re looking forward to the season.”