Previews of all 36 northern Welsh Cup qualifying round one ties this weekend
This weekend brings the first qualifying round of the 2023-24 JD Welsh Cup with 36 northern ties on offer.
Often people express disappointment that I preview some games and not others.
Well, there’s an awful lot of matches involved in this round, but to show fair play I’ll give a mention to them all.
This round involves tier 3, 4 and 5 clubs.
Some tier 3 sides have been given byes to QR2, namely: Cefn Albion, Conwy Borough, Flint Mountain, Holyhead Hotspur, Llanuwchllyn and CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Good luck everyone.
NORTH WEST/CENTRAL (26 TIES)
Aberffraw v Penrhyndeudraeth
An all-tier 4 North Wales Coast West League Premier Division tie kicks us off.
Aberffraw have a great record in both the Welsh Cup and FAW Trophy in recent seasons and with home advantage must be in with a decent chance.
Penrhyn have shown solid form in pre-season and cannot be overlooked.
Amlwch Town v Llanrug United
Another good all NWCWL Premier battle in the making.
If Llanrug are as strong as they were last season, they might take some stopping.
Bethesda Athletic v Llanrwst United
One of the ties of the round.
These two sides have such a great history. Both are now in tier 3 and will be looking to get off to a flyer.
Good signings have been made by each camp and this could be a close one with a large crowd expected at Parc Meurig.
Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs v Boded
Boded’s first competitive fixture will be a Welsh Cup tie – and what a lovely location to start with, Blaenau’s Cae Clyd.
The Anglesey newcomers have signed well and Blaenau will need to be wary. Last season, the Quarrymen were tier 4 East, now they are tier 5 West – what to expect?
Bow FC v Penmaenmawr Phoenix (NOW AT PENMAENMAWR, SATURDAY 2 PM)
This fascinating tie has been switched to Cae Sling, Penmaenmawr.
Bow have made some big signings, including former Cymru Premier player Robbie Parry, and have been looking awesome at times in pre-season.
Phoenix are a good cup side and their summer captures include former Wrexham and Wales Under-21 defender Mike Williams, a Pen boy returning home. What’s not to like about this one?
Caer Clwyd v Rhos United
Good, solid side are Caer Clwyd – when they get it right they can extend anyone.
Rhos have picked up some impressive pre-season results and boast the 2022-23 North Wales Coast East Division One player of the season in their ranks in Lewis Sealey.
Cemaes Bay v Talysarn Celts
A repeat of the 2021-22 NWCFA Junior Cup Final.
Both sides have been promoted to tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier and no quarter will be given in this one. Cracker on the cards.
Prolific goalscorers in both line-ups – Matt Reynolds of Cemaes Bay and Talysarn’s unstoppable Luke Baum.
Cerrigydrudion v Llandudno Amateurs
Cerrig of tier 4 host Amateurs from tier 5. No surprise if the underdog gets the win, the Llandudno side are becoming specialists in the cup upset.
Much will depend on if Cerrig hit the ground running.
Glan Conwy v Rhuddlan Town
Under new management in Nathan Watson and David Pasco, Glan Conwy will be aiming for a fresh and successful start following their relegation to tier 5.
Rhuddlan are a handy outfit, but a lot will hang on how their much-changed team settles. There have been a lot of ins-and-outs at Pengwern this summer, but new coach Phil Peabody is doing a solid job so far.
Glantraeth v Gwalchmai
Oh what a humdinger. Two Anglesey sides famed for their regular major cup runs meet in a rematch of last season’s North Wales Coast West Premier Division Cup semi-final, won on penalties by Gwalch.
So hard to call, but if Gwalchmai’s 2022-23 goal machine Connor Owen and new signing Kaine Bentley are on form, it could be a difficult afternoon for Glan.
Holyhead Town v Bethesda Rovers
Mark Queen’s first competitive test as new Town manager is a tricky Welsh Cup tie against Rovers, who have made signings galore in recent days.
Could be a good, close contest. How will all the new faces at Pesda bed in?
Llanberis v Bontnewydd
Lots of Caernarfon area pride at stake here.
At home, in the cup, you would rarely bet against Llanberis in a game against a team from in and around their level, but Bont have to be respected.
Llandudno Junction v Llannefydd
Nice-looking match-up at the Flyover as Llannefydd, promoted to tier 3, take on a tier 4 Junction who last season often proved they are quite a team.
Llandyrnog United v Bro Cernyw
Mixed form for these sides in pre-season, home advantage could swing it for Dyrny.
Llangoed v Llanfairpwll
Tasty looking all-Anglesey tier 5 tie between the Puffins and the Pwll.
With Jay Finter returning to Maes Eilian this summer and renewing his up front partnership with fellow goal bagger Marquis Holland, the Llangoed defence could be in for a busy time.
Llannerchymedd v Nantlle Vale
Good occasion for the home side to start the campaign – a big hurdle against one of the most capable teams in tier 3.
With some good quality in the ranks, Llannerchymedd cannot be discounted.
Llysfaen v Llansannan
Emlyn Robert Jones’ side have shown lots of promise in pre-season, but it’s a big ask for the tier 5 hosts against the experienced tier 4 campaigners of Llansannan.
Nonetheless, an upset is not totally out of the question.
Meliden v Kinmel Bay
This could end up a belter.
Kinmel Bay have goal potential everywhere with ex-Meliden striker Dylan Ford, last season’s Premier Division top-scorer Connor Morris and the returning Ben Cawley in the ranks.
Meliden love a good cup fight, though, as they proved last season. One to watch at The Mine.
Menai Bridge Tigers v Barmouth and Dyffryn
What can Menai Bridge expect? A very useful Barmouth side which has just been promoted to tier 3 after finishing runners-up in Central Wales League North last term.
Bridge have it in their armoury to see off higher-ranked opponents, having made a few class summer signings including striker supreme Dean Redmond.
Mochdre Sports v Llanfairfechan Town
There are great ties everywhere – here’s another one.
Sports did superbly well to finish third in the North Wales Coast East Premier last season, but Llanfairfechan were also vastly improved in the same division.
Nefyn United v Cefni
A long journey for Cefni, a really positive club hoping to make their mark this season – and what better way than a surprise victory at tier 4 Nefyn in the Welsh Cup!
The Penwaig will be favourites, but the Anglesey visitors can push them hard.
NFA v Penrhyn Bay
Hard to see anything other than a victory for NFA, who have been promoted to tier 4 and brought in a host of name signings in recent weeks.
How much have Penrhyn Bay of tier 5 improved from last season, when they struggled for the most part.
Pwllheli v Llangefni Town
This tie is too attractive for the first qualifying round. Right Said Fred could make a song about it.
Pwllheli will be raring to go following their elevation to the tier 3 Ardal North West, a standard Llangefni also play at.
Cefni signed Anglesey goal machine Marc Evans this week – one of many new faces at Cae Bob Parry.
Rhyl Dragons v St Asaph City (SWITCHED TO FRIDAY AT ST ASAPH CITY FC, 7pm KICK-OFF)
After totally dominating the tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier last term, it has to be a St Asaph victory surely over tier 5 outfit Rhyl Dragons.
A great occasion for Paul Maxwell’s Dragons, though – can they rise to it and pull off a massive shock?
CPD Y Felinheli v Trearddur Bay
Another barnstormer in prospect.
Tier 3 Felinheli are a resolute, solid outfit, but they will be coming up against tier 4 newcomers Trearddur Bay, who have the net-busting phenomenon Asa Thomas in their squad.
To put this one into perspective, Bay knocked Nantlle Vale out of the Welsh Cup last season
CPD Y Glannau v Abergele
A repeat of last season’s REM Jones Cup final, which Abergele won 5-3 as part of a terrific treble.
Should be a close encounter, especially if Y Glannau’s 62-goal hero of 2022-23 Harrison Bellis is at his lethal best.
Gele have some superb talent on board, though, and will fancy the job on Saturday.
NORTH EAST WALES (10 ties)
Brickfield Rangers v Saltney Town
Really good tie in the making between this tier 3 Ardal North West pair.
Saltney reached the last 16 a couple of seasons ago and could make it difficult for Brickfield, who can really turn it on at times.
Caerwys v Corwen
Last season Caerwys were tier 5 and Corwen were tier 3.
Now they are both tier 4 and what a corker this could be, with Caerwys boosting their squad with several fine signings in pre-season.
Under new management, and possessing some experienced, accomplished players, Corwen will not want to start 2023-24 off on a negative note.
Coedpoeth United v Llangollen Town
Giant-killing of sorts in the air?
Coedpoeth of the tier 4 North East Wales League Premier welcome Ardal North East hopefuls Llangollen.
Could go either way.
Connah’s Quay Town v Mynydd Isa
Town have enjoyed a couple of very good seasons since their formation and look a decent bet to overcome fellow tier 4 team Mynydd Isa at home.
Greenfield v Castell Alun Colts
An all-North East Wales Premier affair which again has the potential to be very tight.
Holywell United v Llay Welfare (SWITCHED TO THE RING, LLAY, FRIDAY – 6.45 pm KICK OFF)
David v Goliath here as United of the tier 5 North East Wales Championship welcome Llay Welfare, one of the better sides in tier 3 Ardal North West.
Have to favour the Welfare here.
Penycae v Rhostyllen
Tier 3 Penycae at home to a Rhostyllen side relegated to tier 4 this season, but looking very strong based on their summer recruitment drive.
On paper, one of the very best ties of the round and it would be no shock to see Rhostyllen edge it.
Rhos Aelwyd v Overton Recreational
New Rhos manager Gareth Jones will be keen for his tier 3 hosts to start the season on the front foot with a win over Overton of the tier 5 North East Wales Championship.
Rhydymwyn v CPD Gronant
With plenty of signings announced of late, Rhydymwyn look to be building nicely for their return to competitive football in tier 5 this season.
They will take on fellow North East Wales Championship side Gronant, who really impressed last term and will be up for a major battle on Saturday.
Both sides kicked off their respective league seasons with good wins on Wednesday.
Yr Wyddgrug v Hawarden Rangers
Newly-formed Yr Wyddgrug could hardly have asked for a more eye-catching debut Welsh Cup assignment – home to tier 3 Ardal North West hopefuls Hawarden.
Tier 5 hosts tier 3 – and it should be a grand occasion for the NEWL Championship new boys.