Chepstow Town v Havorfordwest
Many neutral eyes may be on Larkfield Park where Welsh
League Division Three side Chepstow Town take on Haverfordwest.
Chepstow are the lowest-ranked team still in the
competition, and they face a stiff challenge from Havorfordwest, who currently
sit fourth in Welsh League Division One, four points off the top and with at
least one game in hand on the three teams above them.
But Chepstow have only lost once in seven matches stretching
back to October, and will surely be looking to stretch their run further, so
could push this in to extra time.
Prediction: Chepstow
1-2 Havorfordwest (AET)
TNS v Rhyl
Having recently lost the Word Cup final to Carmarthen on
penalties, Premier League leaders TNS will want to put things right in this
encounter.
Rhyl currently lead the Huws Gray Alliance league by 14
points, although second-placed Caersws do have two more games to play.
They are unbeaten in 25 fixtures this season, and will want
to put on a good performance live on S4C, but they may find TNS a step too far.
Rhyl have scored in every game this season, while TNS have
managed to do so in all but five matches since the league season started in
August, so expect goals!
Prediction: TNS 3-2
Rhyl
Carmarthen Town v Bala Town
Both these sides are almost identical in form this season,
Carmarthen’s one extra draw putting them a point ahead of Bala in the Premier
League table.
It is Carmarthen’s first match since that memorable penalty
win over TNS, and they will be looking to continue their good Cup fortune.
Bala hold the upper hand in the head-to-head this season
with a 3-0 win at Maes Tegid back in September and a 1-1 draw at Carmarthen
last month, surely giving them confidence to avoid defeat once more.
Prediction:
Carmarthen 1-1 Bala Town (AET, Carmarthen on penalties)
Newtown v Airbus UK
Another all-Welsh Premier League tie takes place at Latham
Park as Newtown take on second-placed Airbus UK.
Newtown are unbeaten in four since a 2-1 home defeat to Afan
Lido on December 15, but the last time these two sides met, Airbus triumphed by
the same scoreline last November.
Airbus triumphed 6-1 at Prestatyn Town last time out and
will be looking to put on a similar attacking performance to ensure Cup
progression. It is difficult to see past them doing so.
Prediction: Newton
0-2 Airbus UK
Gap Connahs Quay v Bangor City
The third and final all-Welsh Premier League tie sees
Connahs Quay host Bangor in what should be a close game.
The Nomads are unbeaten in four and have been busy in front
of goal, notching no fewer than 10 goals in 360 minutes of league football, or
one every 36 minutes.
Bangor, on the other hand, haven’t won in five, which has
seen them slip to fourth in the table in the chase for European places.
However, three of these have been score draws, so Bangor are in good
goalscoring form as well.
We can hopefully expect goals in this one then as well.
Prediction: Gap
Connahs Quay 2-1 Bangor City
Barry Town v Pontardawe Town
Welsh League Division One promotion hopefuls Barry Town host
Pontardawe Town in what looks like another tough fixture to call.
Five points separate the sides, but Barry have played four
fixtures more, indicating it could be a tough day at the office for the home
side.
Yet their last fixture on January 12 saw Barry survive a
late Pontardawe fightback to secure a 2-1 victory.
Pontardawe’s previous six
fixtures had seen them unbeaten, keeping four clean sheets in the process,
showing how good a victory it was for Barry.
This time should see the away side put the record straight.
Prediction: Barry
Town 0-1 Pontardawe Town
Prestatyn Town v West End
That Airbus UK hammering aside, Prestatyn have been in good
goalscoring form as of late, notching 18 goals in their last seven fixtures.
Andy Parkinson has notched six of those from midfield, and he is one player
West End will have to keep their eye on.
West End have been going well in the Welsh League Division
one, and this game will provide welcome respite from the daily pressures of
league football.
They are unbeaten in 11 fixtures in all competitions
stretching back to August, but haven’t played since December 8 in the last
round of the Welsh Cup, and haven’t played a league fixture since November 3.
A lack of recent fixtures could work against them.
Prediction: Prestatyn
2-0 West End
Flint Town United v Caerau Ely
The final fixture sees Huw Gray Alliance side Flint play
host to Caerau Ely of the Welsh League Division Two.
Flint have called for volunteers to help them clear the pitch
of snow before the fixture in fear of the snow melting, flooding the pitch and
getting the game called off, so it is touch and go currently whether this tie
will go ahead.
Caerau travelled to Flintshire in the last round and
defeated Flint’s neighbours Holywell Town 2-0, so won’t be worried about
another long trip up north.
But Flint should have too much for their visitors on this
occasion and see themselves progress.
Prediction: Flint
Town United 2-0 Caerau Ely
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