A look ahead to Saturday’s FAW Amateur Trophy ties – Bodedern, Cefn Albion, Llannefydd, Mold Alex and Llandudno Albion target last eight

Today brings round five of the 2021-22 FAW AMATEUR TROPHY.

There are 16 teams left – five of them from North Wales.

And as the competition is still regionalised at this stage, three of the eight ties involve northern clubs.

Grassroots North Wales takes a look at a trio of interesting looking battles.

BODEDERN ATHLETIC v BERRIEW

Bodedern reached the semi-final of the 2018-19 Trophy competition where they were beaten by Pontardawe Town.

Ricky Williams’ side from Anglesey have made a magnificent start to the 2021-22 season.

They have won all seven matches in the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division and been victorious in 14 of their 15 games in all competitions.

Twin strikers Asa Thomas and Marc Evans have netted 45 goals between them.

Boded’s only loss came in the Welsh Cup, where they trailed 5-0 to tier 2 Cymru North side Ruthin Town only to launch a remarkable fightback which saw them finish up beaten just 5-4.

Mid-Wales club Berriew are sixth in tier 3 Ardal North East with five wins in seven starts.

The Powys side edged past Mynydd Llandegai – from the same level as Bodedern – on penalties in the last round.

CEFN ALBION v LLANNEFYDD

Cefn Albion of tier 3 Ardal North East were the last team to win a completed FAW Trophy competition in 2018-19, so are still the holders.

That season saw Albion whip Pontardawe Town 4-0 in the final at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth.

Since then, Covid-19 has prevented the competition crowning a winner in 2019-20 or 2020-21.

Wrexham-area side Albion are third in their division and remain unbeaten in seven starts.

A tough proposition, therefore, for Llannefydd, currently lying second in the tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division.

Gwyndaf Pritchard’s side cannot be written off, however. In the last round they knocked out Bangor 1876, becoming the first team ever from the same level as the fan-owned club to defeat them.

This has the makings of a great tie.

MOLD ALEXANDRA v LLANDUDNO ALBION

An all-tier 3 Ardal North West tie is in store at Alyn Park.

This pair met on the first day of the season at the same venue and Mold won 4-2 on that occasion.

Does that give Michael Cunningham’s home side a psychological advantage today? Possibly, but Albion are renowned cup fighters.

And it should not be forgotten that the Llandudno outfit reached the last FAW Trophy final in 2019-20.

Unfortunately, the showpiece game against Penydarren BGC never went ahead due to Covid 19.

Therefore. Darren Jones’ side will be determined to complete the job this time around.

Mold are third in Ardal North West, while Albion are ninth.

Alex are unbeaten in six matches, while Llandudno have not been defeated in four.

Another cracker on the cards.