Looking ahead to Saturday’s FAW Amateur Trophy ties
FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND ONE – NORTHERN SECTION PREVIEWS (Kick-offs, Saturday 2 pm)
There are less ties than expected in the opening round of the FAW Amateur Trophy on Saturday due to the huge amount of byes.
With a record 261 entries across Wales for the national knockout competition, the number of byes is much higher than usual.
For North Wales alone, no less than 58 clubs have automatically been given a pass (bye) into the next round.
Thirty-two North Wales sides will compete in the first round. Lex beat Castell Alun Colts 4-0 on Friday night, meaning 15 more ties take place on Saturday. Here is a look ahead to those games.
Bontnewydd v Llanfairpwll
Two tier 5 North Wales Coast West Division One sides in opposition.
Bontnewydd top their division with three straight wins, while Llanfair sit next to bottom with back-to-back losses. Bont have already whipped ‘Pwll 4-1 in the league.
Still, one never knows in the cups.
Caer Clwyd v Glan Conwy
An all-tier 5 North Wales Coast East Division One clash.
Caer Clwyd are unbeaten in three, while Glan Conwy have lost two in a row. Nonetheless, this one could be close.
Caerwys v Connah’s Quay Town
Good-looking tie on the cards as tier 4 North East Wales League Premier Division sides lock horns. Town have already progressed through two rounds of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
Cefni v CPD Boded
Great derby in prospect between two unbeaten sides in North Wales Coast West Division One.
FC Queen’s Park v Johnstown
North East Wales Premier Division champions Queen’s Park will be anxious to end a sequence of three losses when they take on Johnstown from a division below.
Gaerwen v Talysarn Celts
Celts from tier 4 have started the season really well and will be favourites to get past fifth-tier Gaerwen.
Lex XI 4 Castell Alun Colts 0 (played Friday)
Llandudno Amateurs v Llysfaen
Having beaten Llysfaen 5-0 at home in the league this midweek, the odds have to favour a quick double victory for the Llandudno men.
Llanystumdwy v Llannerchymedd
New Llanystumdwy manager Sion Parry will be keen to start with a bang when his team take on higher-tier Llannerchymedd, who have yet to win in four attempts this season.
Meliden v Cerrigydrudion
Having lost three out of four matches so far this term, how will Meliden cope with a Cerrig outfit which has already advanced through two rounds of the Welsh Cup – twice on penalties.
Cerrig have also won both their matches in the North Wales Coast East Premier so far – on away territory on each occasion.
Mountain Rangers v Trearddur Bay
Tier 4 goal machines Trearddur Bay will be expected to fare well against a Rangers side from a level below.
Penrhyndeudraeth v Mynydd Llandegai
Penrhyn have already lost 7-0 at home to Mynydd Llandegai in the North Wales Coast West Premier Division this season – how will they approach things this time around?
The Maes-y-Parc men can only improve on that first showing – but by how much?
Penyffordd Lions v Ruabon Rovers
Promoted to tier 4 this season, Ruabon will face a team from the same North East Wales Premier Division in Penyffordd on Saturday.
Rovers have begun the campaign well and can certainly give Penyffordd a major test.
Rhos United v Rhyl Dragons
Goals have followed Rhyl Dragons everywhere so far – their five matches have produced a ridiculous 49 goals! Dragons have scored 8 but conceded 41.
Rhos haven’t made the best of starts themselves, but with the quality of goal-getter in their squad they should manage a few on Saturday. Much will depend on the side Dragons are able to put out.
Rhostyllen v Mynydd Isa
Unbeaten in their last four and scoring plenty of goals, Rhostyllen could be in for a close tussle with a Mynydd Isa side which has taken four points out of six in the North East Wales Premier so far.
Rhuddlan Town v NFA
Rhuddlan cannot be counted out after the way they bounced back from three bad defeats to thrash Meliden 5-2 in midweek.
Nonetheless, they are playing what looks like the strongest team in the North Wales Coast East Premier in NFA.