Who will play who in the NEWFA Challenge Cup semi-finals?

Record nine-times North East Wales FA Challenge Cup winners Buckley Town have been paired with underdogs FC Queen’s Park in the semi-finals of the 2021-22 competition.

Cymru North outfit Bucks, who last lifted the trophy in 2012-13, will take on opponents from the two levels below North East Wales League Premier Division at a neutral venue awaiting confirmation next month.

In the other semi, Ruthin Town, also of the Cymru North, will meet Chirk Town of the North East Wales League.

Ruthin have won the cup once before, in 2017-18, while Town are a new team in just their second full season of competition.

So two David versus Goliath semis, but by no means is either a foregone conclusion with both the Park and the Taverners very capable opponents with big-game players.

Both Queen’s Park and Chirk Town caused upsets in the last round. The Park saw off tier 3 Saltney Town 2-1, while the Tavs claimed a famous 2-1 success over Ardal North East leaders Chirk AAA in the first-ever meeting between the clubs.

SEMI-FINAL DRAW (dates and venues to be confirmed)

FC Queen’s Park v Buckley Town
Ruthin Town v Chirk Town

2021-22 NEWFA CHALLENGE CUP RESULTS

QUARTER-FINALS (Jan 3, 8, 22 & Mar 2, 2022)
FC Queen’s Park 2-1 Saltney Town
Chirk AAA 1-2 Chirk Town
Cefn Mawr Rangers 0-6 Buckley Town
Mold Alex 1-2 Ruthin Town

ROUND THREE (Aug 18 & 31, Sep 8 & 14, 2021)
Cefn Mawr Rangers 3-3 (4-2 PENS) Llangollen Town
Lex XI 0-4 FC Queen’s Park
Borras Park Albion 0-8 Chirk Town
Chirk AAA 2-0 New Brighton
Saltney Town 4-1 Mynydd Isa
Mold Alex 3-1 Greenfield
Buckley Town 2-1 Holywell Town
Ruthin Town 8-1 Ruabon Rovers

ROUND TWO (July 28, Aug 4, 17 & 31, 2021)
Brickfield Rangers 0-4 Saltney Town
FC Queen’s Park 2-1 Rhostyllen
Llay Welfare 0-2 Chirk AAA
Borras Park Albion 3-2 Coedpoeth Utd
Brymbo Lodge 0-4 Chirk Town
Brymbo Victoria 1-4 Lex XI
Greenfield 3-2 Halkyn & Flint Mountain
Castell Alun Colts 0-1 Buckley Town
Connah’s Quay Town 2-4 Cefn Mawr Rangers
Ruabon Rovers 4-3 CPD Sychdyn
Llangollen Town 3-0 Railway Rovers
Mynydd Isa Spartans 2-1 Hawarden Rangers
Penyffordd Lions 1-5 New Brighton Villa
Mold Alexandra 5-1 Airbus UK Broughton
Gresford Athletic 1-2 Holywell Town
Ruthin Town 6-0 Rhydymwyn

ROUND ONE (July 20, 2021)
Hawarden Rangers 9-0 Bellevue
Caerwys 0-2 Greenfield
Johnstown YFC 1-2 Ruabon Rovers
AFC Bagillt 4-6 CPD Sychdyn