What a load of crackers! Preview of the FAW Amateur Trophy third round north

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY – ROUND THREE NORTH PREVIEWS

Aberffraw v Berriew

Who are Aberffraw playing tomorrow? Pentre Berw?
No, an awesome team from Powys who play in tier 3 Ardal North East called Berriew.
Just like Aberffraw, Berriew is a community to be proud of. Berriew has won the Best Kept Village in Wales competition several times.
Aberffraw are tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier and a very capable team who have carved out a fantastic reputation as kings of the cup upset in recent seasons.
Berriew win on population 1,334 – 620 (2011 census) and are 2-1 ahead on pubs, but they don’t have Richard Owen Roberts!
However, they do have Richard Davies! Both teams are RICH in quality.
Should be a great tie.

Bangor 1876 v Halkyn and Flint Mountain

While 1876 caned Amlwch Town 9-2 in the last round, Halkyn & Flint Mountain edged through on penalties at Connah’s Quay Town.
No matter, the reward was the same – a place in round three.
Both clubs are young in age and players-wise possess a fine mix of youth and experience.
Mountain have two really wise heads in attack – former Holywell heroes Sam Jones and Phil Lloyd.

Caersws v Rhostyllen

Rhostyllen caused quite a stir in the last round when they won 7-1 at Brymbo!
They will do well to match that result at Ardal North East outfit Caersws, but the Wrexham area side have a more than decent chance of getting a win,

Cefn Albion v Chirk AAA

One of the ties of the round.
The 2018-19 Trophy winners against the team currently leading the Ardal North East table with a 100% record.
Chirk have a grand history in this competition, winning it four times.
This one smacks of a draw and penalties.

Penrhyndeudraeth v Denbigh Town

Switched to Maes-y-Parc as Denbigh’s new pitch is not ready. Possibly THE tie of the round?
Ardal North West cup specialists Town take on Penrhyndeudraeth, who knocked out Nefyn in the last round and won at Llanfair against the odds in Welsh Cup round one last weekend.
Town are banging in goals galore this season – can tier 4 underdogs Penrhyn upset the form book again?

Llangollen Town v Welshpool Town

Big test for tier 4 North East Wales side Llangollen against visitors from tier 3 Ardal North East.
Llan have shown a real grit this season, winning their last Trophy tie on pens against Cefn Mawr Rangers after leading 3-1 but being pegged back to 3-3.

Gwalchmai v Llanrwst United

After coming through a difficult assignment at CPD Y Rhyl 1879 in the last round, Llanrwst must be favourites to overcome tier 4 Gwalchmai.
Gwalch were not expected to see off in-form Llanfairfechan in the last round, yet the islanders edged it 1-0 at The Rec. While their form has been mixed this season, recent showings have been much improved.
There is a real feelgood feel about at Llanrwst, though, only improved by the recent return of prolific hitman Callum Parry.

Machynlleth v Menai Bridge Tigers

This one stands out as a really romantic tie.
Tier 4 Tigers are up against a team a level above, yet have a very potent strike force and as a unit in general they are capable of scoring a lot of goals.
This is probably one of the biggest games in Menai’s history – and they won’t have travelled this far too often.
Machynlleth are actually bottom of Ardal North East, but have only played three matches.

Meliden v Llandudno Albion

Everywhere you look there are cracking ties – here’s another one.
Meliden have a habit of featuring in exciting games, and they’ve developed a penchant for winning matches late on, such as at Glan Conwy in the last round.
Albion, finalists in the last FAW Trophy competition only for the showpiece game to be cancelled due to Covid-19, will be determined to go far again.
They outlasted Prestatyn Sports in the last round on penalties.

Mold Alexandra v FC Queen’s Park

While Mold hammered Greenfield in the last round, Queen’s Park squeezed through 1-0 at Rhydymwyn.
Both results were impressive and it will be hard to separate Saturday’s foes at Alyn Park.
Mold, who caned Rhydymwyn 8-2 in midweek, are in awesome form, but if anyone can push them hard, it is a Barry Torrence inspired Park.
Yes, I’ll say it again…..another corking tie.

Mynydd Llandegai v Bontnewydd

Tier 5 heroes Bontnewydd have it in their armoury to cause a shock at tier 4 Mynydd Llandegai, who scraped through on pens against lower league Talysarn Celts in the last stage.
Llandegai are great cup battlers, but Bont have an ever-growing strong squad.
In the last round, Simon Jones’ side eliminated Nantlle Vale from two leagues above 3-0.

New Brighton Villa v Bodedern Athletic

How do you assess this one?
Both teams are in tier 4 and in fine form.
New Brighton Villa, fourth in the North East Wales League Premier, blitzed Castell Alun Colts 6-1 in the last round.
It’s a long journey for Bodedern, but the Anglesey aces have been stunning since the season started – nine straight wins in all competitions.

Radnor Valley v Llay Welfare

Llay won 6-0 at Coedpoeth United in round two, but they are bottom of Ardal North West after three straight losses.
The Welfare did well to lead 2-0 at Llandudno in the Welsh Cup last weekend before losing 4-2, suggesting they are a strong cup side.
How will they fare against Radnor Valley of the Mid Wales League East?

Rhayader Town v CPD Llannefydd

Quite a glam tie for Gwyndaf Pritchard’s Llannefydd, away to a team which not a million years ago plied its trade in the Welsh Premier and won the Cymru Alliance.
Rhayader are these days in tier 3 Ardal South East and lie third bottom at present without a win.
Llannefydd are top of the fourth tier North Wales Coast East Premier Division, having made a very impressive start to the campaign.
Cannot rule out a surprise here.