Weekend Cup previews on the North Wales football scene

North Wales cup football previews – Saturday, November 2, 2019

FAW Trophy round three (1.30 pm)

Bodedern Athletic v Llanberis

This one is subject to a pitch inspection at 8.30 am on Saturday.

Potentially great battle between two Welsh Alliance Division One sides. Llanberis will be keen to bounce back after getting thrashed 7-0 in a Welsh Cup tie at Porthmadog in midweek.

Boded were semi-finalists in this competition last season and will be determined to go one better this time.

Brymbo v Holywell Town

Potentially one of the games of the day with Brymbo top of the Welsh National League Premier Division and Holywell sixth at that level, but undefeated.
These two shared a 0-0 draw early in the campaign.

Gaerwen v Brickfield Rangers

Top of Welsh Alliance Division Two and enjoying one of their best starts to a season ever, Gaerwen welcome WNL Premier outfit Brickfield to Lon Groes.
Bricky are bottom and due to deductions are on minus points, but they have made a number of new signings and it remains to be seen how they settle.

Greenfield v Cefn Mawr Rangers

A mini David versus Goliath with cup fighters Greenfield, fifth in WAL Division One, taking on Cefn Mawr Rangers from a standard below in the WNL. Interesting one.

Lex XI v Menai Bridge Tigers

Having knocked out holders Cefn Albion in the last round, many eyes will be on WNL Division One dark horses Lex.
Last season’s Gwynedd League champions Tigers were denied promotion to the WAL on a technicality. They lost many key players in the summer but have rebuilt well and are among the front-runners again in the Gwynedd. A potentially cracking tie.

Llanrwst United v Bangor 1876

With 13 games and 13 wins in all competitions under their belts, Bangor 1876 are attracting much attention wherever they play.
The Gwynedd League side have already knocked three third-tier sides out of cups this season – and will target a fourth in Llanrwst.
With 23-goal Jamie Petrie and Dylan Summers-Jones (18) expected to feature up front, it could be a testing afternoon for the Welsh Alliance Division One mid-table Rwsters.
However, Llanrwst are a good cup side and will be tough opposition at Gwydir Park. They have their own goal machine in the ranks in Callum Parry.

Llay Welfare v Llandudno Athletic

The odds favour WNL Premier side Llay, but Llandudno Athletic from the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Premier are a more than capable unit.

Mold Alexandra v New Brighton Villa

Mold are flying high and in fine form in the WNL Premier, but New Brighton from Division One of the same league are no mugs, although they did crash 8-2 at Holywell Town in the Welsh Cup recently.
Mold are one place above Holywell, although the Wellmen did beat the Alex 3-1 this term.

Nefyn United v CPD Llannefydd

Could easily end up one of the ties of the round.
Nefyn of the Gwynedd League have lost just twice this term – to quality opposition in Bangor 1876 and Bangor City.
Llannefydd will be another big test for the Penwaig. Gwyndaf Pritchard’s men are seventh in Welsh Alliance Division Two, but more than capable of challenging for the title.

Penrhyndeudraeth v Holyhead Hotspur

Thirteenth in WAL Division One hosts second.
Penrhyn have the leakiest defence in their division, while Hotspur has the tightest.
Maes-y-Parc is never an easy ground to win at though.

Rhostyllen v Rhos Aelwyd

Rhostyllen were flying and sitting top of the WNL Premier Division before getting hammered 4-1 at home by Cefn Albion recently.
Warren Duckett’s Rhostyllen should prove too strong for an Aelwyd outfit a few places lower in the Premier, but they did reach the final of the Trophy two seasons ago.

Welsh Cup round one (1.30 pm)

Llanrug United v Aberffraw

Over the past five seasons, Aberffraw have knocked out EIGHT teams from a level above in either the Welsh Cup or FAW Trophy.
For that reason alone, Llanrug cannot look past them, especially as United were eliminated by Berffro themselves from the 2016/17 FAW Trophy.
On status, it should be a home win with ‘Rug 10th in WAL Division One and Aberffraw rock bottom of Division Two. But you can just never tell…..

Mynydd Isa Spartans v Llanfair United

Mynydd Isa are mid-table in WNL Division One and under normal circumstances should not have too much to trouble Cymru North side Llanfair.
However, this is cup football. Mynydd knocked out WAL Division One high-riders Denbigh Town in the last round, so they can certainly not be dismissed.