Home advantage for Saints in Welsh Cup opener

THE New Saints will begin their defence of the Welsh Cup with a third-round tie at home against Huws Gray Alliance outfit Conwy Borough while there are three all-Welsh Premier League games.

Conwy make the trip to the Park Hall astroturf next month after beating Buckley Town in a penalty shoot-out in round two on Saturday.

Welsh Premier leaders Prestatyn Town make the long trip south to the Marston Stadium to take on league rivals Afan Lido, Andy Preece’s Airbus entertain Port Talbot Town and Llanelli, looking for a new manager after Andy Legg’s departure, go to Gap Connah’s Quay.

Former winners Bangor City welcome Welsh League side Aberdare Town to Nantporth and Huws Gray Alliance pacesetters Rhyl will fancy their chances of causing an upset when they visit Aberystwyth Town.

The same could be said of last season’s runners-up Cefn Druids as they travel to Newtown of the Welsh Premier and there will be a tough test for Mark Aizlewood’s Carmarthen Town when they go to Holyhead Hotspurs.

Bala Town, beaten semi-finalists last time around, have a tricky looking clash away to Monmouth Town.

Elsewhere, Gwalchmai host Chepstow Town, Ely Rangers make the short journey to Barry Town, Flint Town Utd entertain Llanidloes Town and Llanrug Utd play West End.

There are still four second round ties to be played this Saturday after postponements at the first time of asking last weekend.

The winner of the Pontardawe-Ton Pentre game will have home advantage in the last 32 against either Caerau or Goytre, Holywell Town meet Goytre Utd or Caerau Ely and Cambrian & Clydach or Haverfordwest County will have a long trip to Llandudno Junction.

All third round ties are to be played on the weekend of December 8-9.

Round three draw;

Afan Lido v Prestatyn Town

Newtown v Cefn Druids

Bangor City v Aberdare Town

Holyhead Hotspurs v Aberdare Town

Gwalchmai v Chepstow Town

The New Saints v Conwy Borough

Barry Town v Ely Rangers

Gap Connah’s Quay v Llanelli

Airbus UK Broughton v Port Talbot Town

Aberystwyth Town v Rhyl

Flint Town Utd v Llanidloes Town

Holywell Town v Goytre Utd or Caerau Ely

Pontardawe Town or Ton Pentre v Caerau or Goytre

Monmouth Town v Bala Town

Llanrug Utd v West End

Llandudno Junction v Cambrian & Clydach or Haverfordwest County