Let’s take a more in-depth look at tonight’s superb Welsh Cup first round draw

CRACKERJACK!

Well, what a peng draw for the first round of the JD Welsh Cup this evening.

Eye-catching ties include Holyhead Hotspur versus Bangor 1876, plus the all tier 3 Wrexham area clash between Penycae and Rhos Aelwyd.

One could almost feel a breeze of confidence in predicting both these games could go to penalties.

Hotspur v 1876 could be described as ‘trading places’. Holyhead were in tier 2 last season but are now in 3, while 1876 have risen from T3 last term to the T2 Cymru North for 2023-24.

There may well be a few players up against their respective old clubs in this one, with Hotspur’s Dylan Summers-Jones being a prolific marksman for 1876 in their debut season, while current Bangor stars Carl Jones, Corey Jones and Liam Morris have all played for the Spurs and served them well.

Penycae and Rhos have already met in Ardal North East this term, that game at Ponciau Park ending 1-1.

There are some nice David v Goliath battles on the cards too.

Tier 4 Cerrigydrudion will no doubt relish the prospect of welcoming Cymru North newcomers Denbigh Town, while Tier 2 Porthmadog host old rivals of days gone by in Glantraeth.

And how about CPD Y Rhyl 1879 at home to T4 dark horses Menai Bridge Tigers as a potential corker?

And one cannot miss out mentioning the possibility of a thrilling encounter when Llanrwst United take on Conwy Borough at Parc Gwydir in an all-Tier 3 face-off.

Corwen, the only side in the North to beat higher league opposition in the previous round, will need another big performance if they are to get past mighty T3 outfit Bow Street.

Ties will be played on the weekend of September 16.

Battercrack!

JD WELSH CUP ROUND ONE NORTHERN DRAW

CENTRAL AND NORTH EAST

Brickfield Rangers v Caersws
Corwen v Bow Street
Llanidloes Town v Builth Wells
Mold Alexandra v Montgomery Town
Penparcau v Cefn Albion
Penrhyncoch v Chirk AAA
Penycae v Rhos Aelwyd
Radnor Valley v Gresford Athletic
Tregaron Turfs v Llanuwchllyn

NORTH WEST

Cerrigydrudion v Denbigh Town
Holyhead Hotspur v Bangor 1876
Llanrwst United v Conwy Borough
Mochdre Sports v Nantlle Vale
NFA v Flint Mountain or Kinmel Bay
Porthmadog v Glantraeth
Pwllheli v CPD Y Felinheli
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 v Menai Bridge Tigers
St Asaph City v Llandudno Junction