Women’s football previews: Welsh Cup and North Wales League

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

FAW WOMEN’S WELSH CUP ROUND 3 (2 pm)

Bethel v Connah’s Quay Nomads
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 v Pwllheli

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE (2 pm)

Amlwch Town v Llangefni Town
Llanystumdwy v Holywell

WELSH CUP ROUND 3

Two quarter-final places are up for grabs for North Wales teams when ties in the last 16 of the FAW Women’s Cup take place on Sunday.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 fly the flag for the tier 3 North Wales Women’s League when they host Pwllheli of tier 2 Genero Adran North at Belle Vue, kick off 2 pm.

Newly-formed 1879 triumphed 5-1 over NFA in the last round, while Pwllheli have eliminated Amlwch Town and Llandudno so far.

Pwll reached the Welsh Cup final back in 2006, so a repeat of that feat would be a dream come true.

However, they have some big hurdles to overcome before that wish could become a reality, with Sunday’s opponents Rhyl bound to provide a decent test. Only last weekend, Darren Wardle’s side thrashed previously unbeaten Bangor 1876 8-1.

Nonetheless, a 2-1 victory over favourites Llandudno in the last round proves what the Llŷn Peninsula are capable of.

Seven days after losing 3-0 at home to Connah’s Quay Nomads in the league, Bethel have an instant chance of revenge at the San Seilo on Sunday as the teams lock horns again in the Welsh Cup.

At times this season Bethel have looked awesome, but emphatic defeats against Llandudno and Nomads have created a sense of unpredictability about the Caernarfon area villagers.

Nomads have also lost out to Llandudno this season, but otherwise have looked a solid outfit, difficult to beat.

Bethel will need to perform much better than they did last Sunday to emerge as winners in this all-Genero Adran North tussle, but the class in their squad indicates they are more than capable of going through.

Nomads edged past Airbus 1-0 in the last round, while Bethel have benefited from two byes so far.

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE

An all-Anglesey clash at Lon Bach will see Amlwch Town entertain Llangefni Town.

Both teams have begun the season well, achieving two wins apiece in their three matches.

Amlwch triumphed 2-0 at Welshpool, defeated Trearddur Bay 4-1, but were then turned over 3-1 at home by NFA.

New side Llangefni have seen off Welshpool 5-1 and Holywell 5-0, but came unstuck 4-0 at home to Northop Hall.

Could Amlwch’s edge in experience be key on Sunday? Or will Llangefni’s excellent team-play unsettle their hosts?

Llanystumdwy have lost their two opening games, but showed much improvement in a 5-2 loss against NFA last weekend.

The new league members take on Holywell, who will be playing just their second game of the campaign, having lost the opener 5-0 to Llangefni last Sunday.

Could be a great contest in store between two enthusiastic teams who play the game the right way and in fine spirit.