Let’s take a more in-depth look at the JD Welsh Cup second round northern draw

Let’s take a closer look at some of the Welsh Cup second round northern ties drawn on Wednesday night.

Both Ruthin Town of the Cymru North and Ardal North West side Llanrwst United have huge games coming up.

Ruthin have landed the holders and record 15-time Cymru Premier champions The New Saints at home.

Away banker? Far from sure. In the not too distant past, Saints have not always coasted past lower league clubs in the national knockout.

Back in 2013-14, the full-timers needed extra time to get past Conwy Borough 2-1, and the season after TNS squeezed out a then tier 2 Caernarfon Town 3-2 at The Oval, fighting back from being 2-0 down, at which point a delay in play due to a safety issue proved pivotal.

Then in 2021-22, the Park Hall side edged through against Conwy Borough of tier 2 again, just 1-0.

Ruthin are a team which can really get it together at times and when they do just about anyone is in danger. So they could give the Saints a big test.

Llanrwst United will be away to Cymru Premier newcomers Colwyn Bay, semi-finalists two seasons ago.

With a relatively short distance to travel, the Rwsters should bring plenty of fans with them, and as the Bay’s own home crowds are so dynamic, it could be a grand occasion.

St Asaph City will get a taste of Cymru North quality when they entertain Prestatyn Town.

Saints are adapting really well to life back in tier three and with Prestatyn also producing some good results so far, this could be a cracker.

Nantlle Vale have kicked off 2023-24 in brilliant fashion and they must have a decent chance at home to higher-level Mold Alexandra, who scored 13 goals in the previous round! Another to look forward to.

Bala Town were victims of a giant-killing this week in the Nathaniel MG Cup, but it is hard to see anything other than a home win when they welcome Cymru North bottom side Llandudno to Maes Tegid.

Tudno will not roll over, though, far from it and Bala will not be able to rely on a 0-0 and penalties to see them through.

Tier 3 Bow Street have the ability to cause an upset at home to Buckley Town, while Rhos Aelwyd could prove stubborn opponents for Cymru North high-riders Airbus at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.

Caernarfon Town often get tough draws and it has happened again with a trip to mighty fellow Cymru Premier outfit Connah’s Quay Nomads.

The Cofis are totally capable of defying the odds, but everything would need to go their way on the day.

Flint Mountain v Holywell Town is a romantic Flintshire derby which the Wellmen should win, but if the hosts are in top form it could finish up very close.

Denbigh Town versus Flint Town United really is a 50-50 tie. If Denbigh are at their sharpest they could take it, but Flint are so hard to beat. There might be just one goal in this one.

Menai Bridge Tigers of Tier 4 are Anglesey’s sole remaining flag bearers and one cannot dismiss their chances of a second giant-killing when they host Llanuwchllyn.

Tigers have already won away to Rhyl 1879 in the last round, so there is no reason why they cannot see off another tier 3 team, but Llan are a very useful and in-form outfit.

Brickfield Rangers of tier 3 might be optimistic of their hopes against Cymru North visitors Guilsfield, but the Powys men have just knocked holders Bala out of the Nathaniel MG.

If Guils can keep picking up positive results between now and their visit to Clywedog Park, they look a good bet to progress.

Llanidloes Town v Gresford Athletic and Chirk AAA v Porthmadog – both all-tier 2 affairs – really could go either way.

And what a thrilling prospect Cefn Albion against Bangor 1876 is. A repeat of last season’s Ardal Northern promotion play-off final, which 1876 won 4-2.

This will now be a tier 3 hosts tier 2 clash, but by no means is this an away cert. This will be a perfect chance for the Cefners to gain revenge.

The most romantic tie of all is probably tier 3 Y Felinheli in their biggest ever game at home to Cymru Premier ever-presents Newtown.

We have publicised this in-depth in a separate Grassroots North Wales article.

ROUND TWO NORTHERN DRAW (LAST 64 OF NATIONAL COMPETITION)

Bow Street v Buckley Town
Flint Mountain v Holywell Town
Airbus UK Broughton v Rhos Aelwyd
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Caernarfon Town
Cefn Albion v Bangor 1876
Colwyn Bay v Llanrwst United
Ruthin Town v The New Saints
Y Felinheli v Newtown
Nantlle Vale v Mold Alex
Llanidloes Town v Gresford Athletic
St Asaph City v Prestatyn Town
Chirk AAA v Porthmadog
Bala Town v Llandudno
Denbigh Town v Flint Town United
Menai Bridge Tigers v Llanuwchllyn
Brickfield Rangers v Guilsfield