Premier clubs to clash in Welsh Cup

Bangor City will host Newtown or Airbus UK, while Carmarthen Town will face Prestatyn Town in the quarter-finals of the FAW Welsh Cup.

The Premier League sides were drawn together this week at FAW HQ, with all the ties set to be played on the weekend of St David’s Day - March 1-3.

The winner of the Caerau Ely/Flint Town United tie, which has been switched to Cardiff this weekend (February 2) after two postponements in Flintshire, will play host to Barry Town in the quarters, meaning that there will be at least one lower league representative in the semi-finals of the competition.

The final tie sees Haverfordwest County play host to the winner of the TNS/Rhyl fixture, where neither side will fancy the long trip to the Welsh League Division One promotion hopefuls.

Draw in full:

Bangor City v Newtown AFC/Airbus UK Broughton

Caerau Ely/Flint Town Utd v Barry Town

Carmarthen Town v Prestatyn Town

Haverfordwest County v The New Saints/Rhyl FC

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Home advantage for Druids in Welsh Cup first round

LAST season’s beaten Welsh Cup finalists Cefn Druids host Llanberis in the first round of the competition this term in one of 40 ties set to take place on October 6.

The draw was made yesterday at the Vale Hotel near Cardiff following Saturday’s second qualifying round, which saw Cefn’s opponents beat Pen Y Ffordd 1-0 to progress.

The 12 Welsh Premier League clubs don’t enter the tournament until round three but Cefn’s run to the final in May will give them and the other lower division clubs hope of repeating the feat this time.

Cefn managed to beat a couple of top-tier sides during their cup run last season and for Bodedern Athletic it’s a former Welsh Premier giant in the shape of Rhyl who stand in their way of making the second round.

Rhyl, current leaders of the Huws Gray Alliance, will be favourites for the encounter at their Belle Vue home but nothing is ever certain in knockout football.

Also in the North, Halkyn Utd of the Welsh Alliance second division and one of the lowest ranked northern clubs left, host Llanidloes Town while Llanuwchllyn have home advantage as they look to upset Buckley Town.

Like Halkyn and Llanuwchllyn, Presteigne St Andrews of the Spar Mid Wales second division are another Level 4 side and they have the chance to cause a surprise when they entertain Penrhyncoch of the Huws Gray Alliance.

Another stand-out tie sees Welsh Alliance outfit Caernarfon Town host Conwy Borough of the Huws Gray Alliance at the Oval.

In the South, there are five all-Welsh League division one clashes with current leaders AFC Porth travelling East to Monmouth Town while former cup winners Barry Town make the trip to Caerleon and reigning league champions Cambrian & Clydach face Cwmbran Celtic.

There are three Level 5 clubs remaining in the southern section and South Wales Senior League outfit Brecon Corries have been handed a tough home draw against one-time UEFA Cup entrants Haverfordwest County.

South Wales Amateur League side Treforest travel to Welsh League club Aberbargoed Buds and Cwmamman United of the Neath League are at home to Newbridge on Wye of the Spar Mid Wales League.

Full draw;

North

Brickfield Rangers v Pwllheli

Brymbo v Penycae

Caernarfon Town v Conwy Borough

Cefn Druids v Llanberis

Coedpoeth United v Caersws

Corwen v Ruthin Town

CPD Porthmadog v Llandudno

Flint Town United v Guilsfield Athletic

Four Crosses v Llanrug United

Gwalchmai v Carno

Halkyn United v Llanidloes Town

Holyhead Hotspurs v Llansantffraid Village

Holywell Town v Denbigh Town

Llandudno Junction v Mold Alexandra

Llanllyfni v Greenfield

Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochant v Glan Conwy

Llanuwchllyn v Buckley Town

Rhyl v Bodedern Athletic

Venture Community v Montgomery Town

Waterloo Rovers v Rhydymwyn


South

Aberbargoed Buds v Treforest

Ammanford v Chepstow Town

Brecon Corinthians v Haverfordwest County

Bridgend Town v Pontardawe Town

Caerau v Llantwit Fardre

Caerleon v Barry Town

Cardiff Grange Harlequins v Llanwern

Croesyceiliog v Caerau Ely

Cwmamman United v Newbridge on Wye

Cwmbran Celtic v Cambrian & Clydach Vale

Dinas Powys v Ton Pentre

Ely Rangers v Bryntirion Athletic

Goytre v AFC Llwydcoed

Goytre United v Pontyclun

Monmouth Town v AFC Porth

Pontypridd Town v Aberdare Town

Presteigne St. Andrews v Penrhyncoch

Rhayader Town v Risca United

Tata Steel v Bridgend Street

West End v Taffs Well 

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Clubs learn of Welsh Cup fate in qualifying draw

CEFN Druids may have lost last season’s Welsh Cup final, but the Huws Gray Alliance side is reaping the rewards of their giant-killing exploits.

The North Wales club made history by becoming the first from outside Welsh football’s top flight to qualify for Europe.

And their fairytale story will give others below the Welsh Premier League inspiration when they begin their 2012/13 Welsh Cup campaign on August 18.

The draw for the first of two qualifying rounds was made at FAW headquarters in Cardiff yesterday just 66 days after TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison lifted the trophy following the double winners’ 2-0 victory over Druids in May.

A total of 182 teams entered the competition this year with Premier League clubs receiving a bye until round three and Welsh League division one and Huws Gray Alliance clubs exempt up to the first round proper.

Welsh Cup First Qualifying Round

South section

AFC Llwydcoed v Cwmbran Town

Cardiff Hibernian v Aber Valley

Cardiff Metropolitan University v Splott Albion

Carnetown BGC v Aberfan

Ely Valley v Kenfig Hill

Fleur de Lys Welfare v Bridgend Street

Garw v Llantwit Major

Llanharry v Treforest

Llanwern v Tonyrefail

Merthyr Saints v Cwmamman United

Nelson Cavaliers v Pontyclun

Newcastle Emlyn v Chepstow Town

Newport Civil Service v Cardiff Grange Harlequins

Penrhiwceiber Cons Athletic v Abertillery Bluebirds

Perthcelyn United v Tredegar Athletic

Pontypridd Town v Graig y Rhacca

Porthcawl Town v Brecon Corinthians

Rhydyfelin v Llantwit Fardre

STM Sports v Ton & Gelli BGC

Tredegar Town v Llandrindod Wells

Trefelin BGC v Risca United

Treharris Athletic Western v Baglan Dragons

Treowen Stars v Trethomas Bluebirds

North section

Amlwch Town v Corwen

Connah’s Quay Town v Flint Mountain

FC Nomads of Connah’s Quay v Kinmel Bay Sports

Greenfield v West Shore

Gresford Athletic v New Brighton Villa

Halkyn United v Caernarfon Wanderers

Johnstown Youth v Llanuwchllyn

Knighton Town v Gaerwen

Lex XI v Machynlleth

Llandyrnog United v Bodedern Athletic

Llanfairpwll v Dyffryn Nantlle

Llanfyllin v Bethel

Llanllyfni v Castell Alun Colts

Llanystumdwy v Caerwys

Montgomery Town v Blaenau Amateurs

Pen y Ffordd v Penmaenmawr Phoenix

Penrhyndeudraeth v Acton Village

Presteigne St Andrews v Kerry

Trearddur Bay United v Penley

Byes to Qualifying Round Two; Aberaeron, Aberbargoed Buds, Ammanford AFC, Barmouth & Dyffryn United, Berriew, Bethesda Athletic, Bettws, Bow St FC, Brickfield Rangers, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Brymbo FC, Builth Wells, Caerau, Caerau Ely FC, Caernarfon Town FC, Caldicot Town AFC, Cardiff Corinthians, Carno FC, Chirk AAA FC, Coedpoeth United, Croseyceiliog AFC, Cwmaman Institute, Denbigh Town FC Dinas Powys, Dolgellau, Ely Rangers AFC, F.C Cefn, Four Crosses, Garden Village, Glan Conwy, Glantraeth, Goytre FC, Gwalchmai FC, Holywell Town FC, CPD Llanberis, Llandudno Junction FC, Llangefni Town, Llangollen Town FC, Llanidloes Town, Llanrug United Llanrwst United FC, Llansantffraid Village, Mold Alex FC, Nefyn United FC, Newbridge-on-Wye FC, Newport YMCA FC, Overton Recreational, Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Pwllheli FC, Rhos Aelwyd, Tywyn Bryncrug, Venture Community FC, Waterloo Rovers, Welshpool Town

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Reds taken to the edge in cup thriller

WELSH Cup holders Llanelli held their nerve to squeeze into this season’s quarter-finals after being taken to the wire by Rhyl at Belle Vue.

In one of three fourth round ties to go the distance, Reds boss Andy Legg saw his side progress thanks to a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory against the former Premier League club.

Legg breathed a huge sigh of relief when Craig Williams converted the winning spot kick following a thrilling 3-3 draw at the end of extra-time.

The encounter had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, Rhyl taking the lead through Tom Rowlands only for Llanelli to equalise just before the break courtesy of a Rhys Griffiths penalty.

Stuart Jones gave the reigning champions the lead on 67 minutes but just when they thought they could celebrate, up popped Rhyl’s Ryan Williams to level.

Four minutes into the extra 30, Chris Venables struck from Griffiths’ knockdown as Llanelli regained the initiative but yet again Williams was on hand to make it all square.

He slotted home from the spot when Reds skipper Jones brought down Mike Pritchard in the area. In truth, it was all Rhyl deserved given they had been down to 10 men since the eighth-minute when Neil Coverley was sent off.

The first eight shoot-out penalties were all successful until Rhyl’s Shaun Dowling had his effort saved by young stand-in ‘keeper Craig Richards.

Llanelli will travel to Bala Town in the last eight after they won 4-2 at Buckley Town on Saturday. Bala required an extra 30 minutes to win through with Lee Hunt completing a hat-trick in the 104^th minute.

Welsh League side AFC Porth pushed Carmarthen Town close before succumbing 3-1 in extra-time. Veteran striker Julian Alsop got Town’s third to go with goals for Nick Harry and Tim Hicks.

Airbus UK will host Carmarthen next after they needed penalties to see off Afan Lido, who levelled the match at 2-2 right at the end of normal time.

Goals from Mark and Gavin Cadwallader cancelled out an Andy Hill penalty on 12 minutes only for Liam Williams to send the game into extra-time with his first strike for the club.

There was shoot-out drama at Park Avenue as hosts Aberystwyth beat Llandudno Town 5-3 on spot kicks. The visitors took a first-half lead through Lee Jones before Alex Samuel levelled with 15 minutes left.

Prestatyn were the only Premier League club to lose to lower-ranked opposition, going down 2-0 at home to Cefn Druids, visitors to Aberystwyth in the quarters.

Adam Hesp gave Cefn the lead early on and Mark Harris sealed a quarter-final place in the last minute.

The New Saints scored all four of their goals against Newport County’s second string in the first-half. Connell Rawlinson, Alex Darlington, Greg Draper and Craig Jones secured the win before the break.

Finally, Neath were comfortable 3-1 winners at Flint Town United for whom there was a familiar name on the scoresheet. John Rush, son of Ian, netted a consolation for Flint after Craig Jones (2) and Chris Jones put Neath 3-0 up.

Neath will make the trip to The New Saints for a place in the semi-finals with all of the quarter-final ties to be played on February 25, 26 or 27.

By David Williams

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Pressure is on Llanelli says Rhyl boss Strong

RHYL boss Greg Strong is happy to go into tomorrow’s Welsh Cup clash with Llanelli as underdogs and believes all the pressure will be on the reigning champions.

Andy Legg’s men are favourites for the last 16 tie at Rhyl’s Belle Vue home but go up against a side that already have a Premier League scalp to their name in the competition.

The Lilywhites beat Newtown 2-1 in the last round and are now just one win away from reaching the quarter-finals.

And manager Strong reckons that despite the standout match of the weekend being screened live on television his players can still show off their own brand of football on the big stage.

“It will be a fantastic game,” he said. “The lads are looking forward to testing themselves against one of the best teams left in the Welsh Cup.

“We go into the game as underdogs which is fine by us as it takes the pressure off us a little.

“When you’re perceived as favourites the pressure to perform can sometimes work against you. It just means we can get to playing our style of football.

“Hopefully we can get a result and have people talking about Rhyl Football Club for the right reasons again.”

Strong’s only injury doubts are Will Thomas and Russell Courtney and he will be evaluating their progress before deciding on his match day squad.

The Rhyl supremo also issued a rallying cry to the club’s fans who he wants to see out in force at Belle Vue come the first whistle.

He added: “Our fans have many times become the 12th man for us in big games. I ask they do this again on Saturday and help push the lads on to victory.”

If Rhyl don’t manage to pull off a shock tomorrow then Huws Gray Alliance rivals Buckley Town could spring the surprise of the fourth-round when they host Premier outfit Bala Town.

It’s been an excellent season so far for Buckley, second in the Alliance behind gap Connahs Quay and scorers of 13 goals in the previous three rounds of the cup.

And not only does the Globe Way side face Bala after easing past Llangefni Town 4-1 last Saturday, they do so knowing that star striker Michael Burke has committed himself to the club for the rest of the season.

Talk of a move to the Premier League was quashed by Burke this week following a hat-trick against Llangefni took his tally for the campaign to 15.

In the other last 16 match-ups, Premier leaders The New Saints will more than fancy their chances against Newport County while Flint Town United could provide Neath with a few scares.

Aberystwyth entertain Llandudno, AFC Porth go to Carmarthen Town, Prestatyn should have too much firepower for Cefn Druids and there is one all-Premier clash between Afan Lido and Airbus UK.

By David Williams

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Holders to face Rhyl in last 16

HOLDERS Llanelli face another long trip north in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup after being paired with Rhyl in Monday's draw.

Former Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl, who lead the Huws Gray Alliance, dumped top flight Newtown out of the tournament on Saturday and will be gunning for a second prized scalp in successive rounds when Llanelli visit Belle Vue.

Andy Legg’s Reds saw off Bangor City at Farrar Road in round three and will know that anything less than their best could see them come unstuck against Greg Strong’s Lilywhites.

In a repeat of the 2007 FAW Premier Cup final, The New Saints take on Newport County, though this time the fixture takes place on the Welsh Premier League club’s artificial surface at Park Hall.

It was the hosts who won that encounter at Spytty Park more than four years ago and they’ll be confident of a repeat performance this time around.

In the only all-Welsh Premier League tie Afan Lido welcome Airbus UK Broughton, who knocked out Wrexham last weekend, to the Marstons Stadium while the only MacWhirter Welsh League side left in the cup, AFC Porth, travel to Carmarthen Town, who are currently managerless following the sacking of Tomi Morgan.

The remaining ties all see Welsh Premier clubs face Huws Gray Alliance teams with Bala going to Buckley, Neath visiting Flint Town Utd, Aberystwyth hosting Llandudno and Prestatyn entertaining Cefn Druids.

All ties are to be played on or before January 28-29.

Full draw;

Rhyl v Llanelli

Afan Lido v Airbus UK Broughton

Buckley Town v Bala Town

Flint Town Utd v Neath

Aberystwyth Town v Llandudno Town

The New Saints v Newport County

Prestatyn Town v Cefn Druids

Carmarthen Town v AFC Porth

By David Williams

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Cup win can’t save Morgan from the axe

CARMARTHEN Town’s search for a new manager is under way after Tomi 
Morgan was sacked following the club’s Welsh Cup third-round win.

Morgan was given the boot by Carmarthen for the second time in his 
managerial career after seeing his side beat Bridgend Town 2-1 last 
Friday night.

The former Telford and Llantsantffraid striker leaves Richmond Park 
with Carmarthen bottom of the Welsh Premier League having won just 
three of their 18 matches.

Morgan took over from Deryn Brace 18 months ago after his previous 
six-year stint at the club had ended not long into the start of the 
2003/04 season.

“That's the problem with winning, you get sacked,” he said after 
receiving the news of his dismissal.  “But I've seen this coming as 
when you have been in the game as long as I have you get to sense 
things.

“You hear whispers and the signs are there to see but I feel I can go 
away with my head held high.

“We have had little to spend on players so I have had to get by with 
youngsters and I have to say they have been fantastic and a pleasure to 
work with.”

He added: “It has been a difficult campaign and we have blown hot and 
cold, but that's what happens with a young set of lads.

“Against Bridgend we were down to the bare bones and only had two 
players — Nicky Palmer and Tim Hicks — over 25, and I thought that in 
difficult conditions we did well.”

While Morgan was coming to terms with his sacking, the rest of the 
Welsh Cup third round took place with holders Llanelli beating Bangor 
City in a repeat of last season’s final.

Rhys Griffiths netted a hat-trick for Andy Legg’s men in a 4-2 win at 
Farrar Road as Llanelli marched on towards a possible league and cup 
double.

Two more Premier League clubs fell by the wayside as Newtown were 
beaten 2-1 at home by Rhyl and Afan Lido knocked out near neighbours 
Port Talbot Town 1-0.

There were no upsets for the smaller clubs left in the competition with 
Merthyr Saints thumped 6-0 by Bala Town and FC Cefn smashed 6-1 by 
Aberystwyth Town while The New Saints and Prestatyn Town also hit six 
in victories over Bryntirion Athletic and Goytre United respectively.

Wrexham’s first tie back in the tournament ended in defeat after 
extra-time to Airbus UK and the all-Rhondda clash between AFC Porth and 
Cambrian & Clydach was the only one to go to penalties with Porth 
winning 4-3.

The other sides through to the last 16 are Newport County, Buckley 
Town, Llandudno Town, Flint Town United, Cefn Druids and Neath.

by David Williams

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Port Talbot and Afan Lido clash

Port Talbot and Afan Lido will clash in a fiercely-contested local derby in next month's third round of the Welsh Cup.

These two Welsh Premier League rivals face one another at the GenQuip Stadium in what is one of the outstanding ties of the round as both battle for a last-16 spot.

The draw made in Cardiff yesterday produced several potentially explosive ties with Bangor City entertaining Llanelli at Farrar Road in a repeat of last year's final and Welsh league first division high-fliers West End attempting to cause a major upset at big-spending Neath.

Carmarthen Town struggling to find their best form this season will not take anything for granted at home to ambitious Bridgend Town while Goytre United make the long journey to the North Wales coast to face Prestatyn.

Wrexham and Newport County,back in the competition after almost two decades out in the cold have both been favoured with home draws- against Airbus and Barry Town respectively.

Full Round Three draw : Flint Town v Newport Civil Service; Port Talbot v Afan Lido;The New Saints v Bryntirion Athletic; AFC Porth v Cambrianb and Clydach; Wrexham v Airbus; Carmarthen Town v Bridgend Town; Caersws v Llandudno Town; Buckley Town v Taffs Well; Neath v West End; FC Cefn v Aberystwyth; Newtown v Rhyl; Bangor City v Llanelli; Prestatyn v Goytre United; Newport County v Barry Town; Gap Connahs Quay v Cefn Druids; Merthyr Saints v Bala Town.

Ties to be played on the weekend of December 2 and 3.

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FAW Cup Round Two Review

Merthyr Saints caused the upset of the Welsh Cup second
round as Ian Cleary’s hat-trick inspired them to a shock 4-3 win at
Caerleon.

The hosts, fourth in Welsh League division two, were humbled by the
Saints, fifth in the second divisionof the South Wales Amateur League, for whom
Matt Facey also scored.TheSaints march on into round three where they could be
drawn against Wrexham, Newport County or one of the 12 Welsh Premier League
sides,all of which enter the competition in the last 32.Other teams in the hat
for the third round include Welsh League division one leaders



Cambrian and Clydach who eased past Llandrindod Wells with
goals from Jason Bertorelli and Robert Blatchford. West End, just behind
Cambrian in the league, won 2-1 at home against Cardiff Corries - Kieron Cullen
scored both goals -and Bridgend Town needed extra-time to see off Tata Steel
5-3 in a thriller on Friday night.A Josh Bell strike two minutes from the end
of extra-time gave Barry Town a dramatic 2-1 win at Haverfordwest County after
the visitors had levelled near the end of normal time.



Among the other southern section ties, AFC Porth beat Pontardawe
Town 3-0 with Adam Wright netting twice, and Bryntirion Athletic hit Goytre for
five with braces for Anthony Rawlings and IanTurner.Goytre United smashed eight
past Caerau Ely, goals from Daniel Bailey and Nicky Cadman gave Newport Civil
Service victory over Newbridge on Wye and Taffs Well had too much for Builth
Wells, running out 5-0 winners.



Rhyl sneaked past CPD Porthmadog at Y Traeth in the northern
section’s big clash. A Ryan Davies own goal and strikes from Mike Pritchard and
James Gambino ensured the away side went through 3-2.Cefn Druids had eight
different scorers in their demolition of Coedpoeth United and there were goals
aplenty in the match between Montgomery Town and FC Cefn, the visitors scoring
four times withoutreply in the second-half to win 7-3.Tim Bigland’s treble
helped Buckley Town to a 5-2 success over Holyhead Hotspurs and there were also
wins for Flint Town United, Llandudno Town, Caersws and GAP Connahs Quay.




by David Williams

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FAW Welsh Cup round two preview

BATTLES between former Welsh Premier League clubs in the north and 
south of the principality are the stand out matches in this weekend’s 
Welsh Cup second round.

Six-time champions Barry Town, winners at Merthyr Town in round one, 
travel to Haverfordwest County with Dragons boss Gavin Chesterfield 
returning to his old club.

Meanwhile, in the northern section of the draw, four-time winners Rhyl, 
Welsh Premier League champions as recently as 2009, visit CPD 
Porthmadog.

Both clubs were relegated from the top flight last year when the 
division was cut to 12 teams, though Rhyl are currently top of the Huws 
Gray Alliance with Porthmadog fourth.

The top six in MacWhirter Welsh League division one are also in action. 
Leaders Cambrian and Clydach welcome Llandrindod Wells to the Rhondda 
and second-placed West End go up against Cardiff Corries.

Bridgend Town entertain Tata Steel tonight (Friday) and there are bound 
to be some fireworks on Bonfire Night with AFC Porth hosting Pontardawe 
Town, Bryntirion Athletic at home to Goytre and Taffs Well visiting 
Builth Wells.

Two of the minnows left in the cup face each other in the north as Spar 
Mid Wales League leaders Montgomery Town host Welsh National League 
side FC Cefn.

The second round is the last before the Welsh Premier League sides 
enter the competition as well as Blue Square Premier leaders Wrexham 
and the Exiles of Newport County.


For the full FAW 2nd Round draw click here
by David Williams

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