North Wales clubs got rub of the green in FAW Trophy round 5 draw – let’s assess
Tier 5 outsiders Llanfairpwll have landed just about the toughest draw possible in the last 32 of the national FAW Amateur Trophy.
The North Wales Coast West Division One side from Anglesey, who have already got past Ruabon Rovers, Llanberis, Talysarn Celts and Bontnewydd to reach round five, will next meet holders Trethomas Bluebirds at home on the weekend of December 15-17.
Although Llanfairpwll have eliminated three Tier 4 sides from the competition so far, the challenge of Trethomas, from Tier 3 Ardal South West, will be their most difficult yet.
The South Wales club, from the Caerphilly area, beat Denbigh Town 2-1 in last season’s final and knocked out Bangor 1876 en route.
Bluebirds are top of Ardal South West with a formidable record of 10 matches played, 10 wins.
One bonus for Llanfairpwll is the tie will be played at Maes Eilian.
Elsewhere in the last 32, surely the stand-out ‘glamour’ tie has to be the all-Ardal North West clash between Flint Mountain and current league leaders CPD Y Rhyl 1879.
Mountain, who are also in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup, have already beaten the Lilywhites 4-1 away in the early weeks of this season.
Tier 4 Menai Bridge Tigers will have to overcome higher-level opposition if they are to make the final 16 after securing a home tussle with Seven Sisters Onllwyn of the T3 Ardal SW.
Another Tier 4 outfit making waves in this season’s Trophy, Meliden, will surely travel to Ardal North West team Conwy Borough, the 2017-18 Trophy winners, with a fair slice of optimism.
Holyhead Hotspur will welcome Tier 4 South Wales hopefuls CK Swiss Valley of the West Wales Premier League.
Although the Llanelli side are near the bottom of their division, they did shock Tier 3 Swansea University with a 3-2 away victory in round four.
Brickfield Rangers versus Llanuwchllyn is an all-Tier 3 pairing which could prove a tight contest.
Llanuwchllyn were resounding 6-0 winners at Llanrwst United in the last round, while Brickfield scraped past St Asaph City on spot-kicks, but no matter how both got where they are, they are where they are and it could be a close affair at Clywedog Park.
Two North Wales Tier 3 clubs have scooped promising home draws in the fifth round.
Wrexham area Llay Welfare will take on Cefn Cribwr, second in Ardal South West, at The Ring, while Llannefydd from Ardal North West entertain Risca United, third in Ardal South East.
Tricky, but winnable tests for the northerners.
Overall, when it comes to the prospect of long distance travelling, the North Wales clubs did not come out of things too bad at all in tonight’s draw. It could have been a lot worse so close to Christmas.
One has to question the wisdom of the FAW making the last 32 open draw at such short notice.
Due to the fact a record 261 clubs entered the Trophy this season, an extra sixth round will be played in January (last 16) leading to the quarter-finals the following month.
FIFTH ROUND TIES INVOLVING NORTH WALES CLUBS
Brickfield Rangers v Llanuwchllyn
Conwy Borough v Meliden
Flint Mountain v CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Holyhead Hotspur v CKSV
Llanfairpwll v Trethomas Bluebirds
Llannefydd v Risca United
Llay Welfare v Cefn Cribwr
Menai Bridge Tigers v Seven Sisters Onllwyn
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 – 16th December 2023
Round Six – 20th January 2024
Quarter Final – 17th February 2024
Semi Final – 23rd March 2024
Final – 20th April 2024