DEBUTANT Nathan Moriah-Welsh admitted to having some pre-game nerves ahead of his first senior Cherries appearance – but was pleased to feel “comfortable” when kick-off at Yeovil came around.

The 19-year-old played 90 minutes at right-back for Scott Parker’s side and put in an assured performance during the 3-1 FA Cup third round success at Huish Park.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the contest, he said: “It was a good day for family, friends, everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth academy and AFC Bournemouth as a whole.

“I wouldn’t say it was an emotional day but quite a nervy day building up to it.

“I didn’t really think about the game until about two hours before – but once you are in the stadium, your nerves cool and you are quite comfortable out there.

“The players I have played with before and I have been training with the whole season, so it was quite good.”

Born in Chelsea, Guyana international Moriah-Welsh said he was thankful for those closest to him for their support, which came from all around the globe.

“Because it was so late notice and Yeovil is such a secluded area, it was quite tough for them to get down,” he replied, when asked if his family were in attendance in Somerset.

“My dad has just had a new baby girl, so it was quite tough for him to get down. I think they all watched on BBC.

“All around the world I’ve got family – they all watched.”

Originally a midfielder, the former Brentford and Reading youngster revealed how boss Parker urged him to express himself on the pitch when taking on the non-league Glovers.

Quizzed on what the Cherries head coach said to him pre-match, Moriah-Welsh replied: “He just said ‘don’t be safe’. I am a player where sometimes I can let things get to me.

“But it wasn’t one of those games, it was one of those games where we really did come through.

“It was good to have the gaffer’s belief from the off and it gives you a lot of confidence going forward.”