Football

FAW Amateur Trophy will need extra round to cater for massive entry!

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 (white) and Flint Mountain have both been given byes into the second round of the FAW Amateur Trophy. Picture: DAMON MEAD

This season’s FAW Amateur Trophy will likely need an extra round to be added following a record amount of entries.

A total of 261 clubs have put their names down to compete in the national knockout which caters for tier 3 and below.

The first round, drawn last week, featured 47 ties (94 clubs), meaning 167 teams were given byes into the next stage.

This 167 figure is made up of 64 Ardal Leagues clubs and 103 byes from the remaining clubs drawn by the FAW National Cup Board.

Since the opening round draw was announced, the main question being asked up and down the land is – why so many byes?

Grassroots North Wales discovered the reason is the unprecedented number of entries, but the story does not end there.

We asked the FAW, how can you get down to the required last 32 clubs in the round four open draw with so many entries involved?

GNW was told an extra round will have to be added, a measure which will be reviewed by the National Cup Board at an upcoming meeting.

The FAW Trophy rules did not allow for a qualifying round (before round one) and with no board sitting between the entry deadline and the draw needing to be done ahead of conference date, it was not possible to change the rules to introduce one.

When the cup board sits, they’will be able to bring in an additional round at a latter stage to accommodate.

There will also be the need for some clubs to receive a further bye to even the numbers out for the remainder of the competition.

So the general message from Cardiff is – we may need an extra round, but we’ll get there!

Our cup runneth over, but stay tuned folks, all will be fine.

2023/24 FAW Amateur Trophy conference dates

Round One – 26th August 2023
Round Two – 30th September 2023
Round Three – 28th October 2023
Round Four – 25th November 2023
Round Five – 20th January 2024
Quarter Final – 17th February 2024
Semi Final – 23rd March 2024
Final – 20th April 2024

2023-24 ROUND ONE DRAW
(16 northern ties in bold)

Aberfan Rangers v Aber Valley
Birchgrove Colts v AFC Glais
Blaen-y-Maes v Giants Grave
Bontnewydd v Llanfairpwll
Bridgend Street v Garw SBGC
Brynawel v St Josephs
Caer Clwyd v Glan Conwy
Caerwys v Connah’s Quay Town
Carn Rovers v Tongwynlais
Cefni v Boded
Cwmffrwdoer Sports Club v Cwmcarn Athletic
Dinas Powys v Tiger Bay
Ely Rangers v Gurnos BGC
Evans & Williams v Penlan
FC Bonymaen v Llangyfelach
FC Queen’s Park v Johnstown
FC Tredegar v RTB Ebbw Vale
Gaerwen v Talysarn Celts
Garnlydan v Bettws
Hirwaun v Cwrt Rawlin
Lex XI v Castell Alun Colts
Llandudno Amateurs v Llysfaen
Llanrumney United v Grange Albion
Llanystumdwy v Llannerchymedd
Machen v Abertillery Excelsiors
Maesteg Park v CKSV
Marshfield v FC Cwmaman
Meliden v Cerrigydrudion
Merthyr Saints v Highfields
Mill Street Dynamo v Rogerstone
Mountain Rangers v Trearddur Bay
Nelson Cavaliers v AFC Pontymister
New Inn v Ponthir
Penclawdd v Bonymaen Colts
Penrhyndeudraeth v Mynydd Llandegai
Pentwynmawr Athletic v Brynmawr United
Penyffordd Lions v Ruabon Rovers
Penygraig United v Baili Glas
Rhos United v Rhyl Dragons
Rhostyllen v Mynydd Isa
Rhuddlan Town v NFA
St Albans v Cardiff Bay Warriors
Ton Pentre v Aberdare Town
Tywyn Bryncrug v Llanilar
Vale United v Treforest
Wattsville v The Oak
West End v Tata Steel United

BYES (North Wales)

Aberffraw
Abergele
Amlwch Town
Aston Park Rangers
Bethesda Athletic
Bethesda Rovers
Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs
Bow
Brickfield Rangers
Bro Cernyw
Brymbo
Caergybi
Cefn Albion
Cemaes Bay
Coedpoeth United
Conwy Borough
Corwen
Dolgellau AA
FC Plas Madoc
Flint Mountain
Glantraeth
Greenfield
Gronant
Hawarden Rangers
Holyhead Hotspur
Holyhead Town
Holywell United
Kinmel Bay
Llanberis
Llandudno Junction
Llandyrnog United
Llanfairfechan Town
Llangefni Town
Llangollen Town
Llannefydd
Llanrug United
Llanrwst United
Llansannan
Llanuwchllyn
Llay Welfare
Menai Bridge Tigers
Mochdre Sports
Nantlle Vale
Nefyn United
Overton Recreation
Penmaenmawr Phoenix
Pentraeth
Penycae
Pwllheli
Rhos Aelwyd
Rhydymwyn
Rhyl All Stars
Saltney Town
St Asaph City
Y Felinhelii
Y Glannau
Y Rhyl 1879
Yr Wyddgrug