Let’s preview this weekend’s FAW Amateur Trophy ties

Let’s look at the eight (now seven) ties involving North Wales clubs taking place in the last 32 of the FAW Amateur Trophy this weekend (December 15-16).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

Conwy Borough (T3) v Meliden (T4 – 7.45 pm)

This should be quite a glamour occasion for Meliden as they visit a team which has spent most of its recent existence as a tier 2 club, although this season Conwy Borough have dropped into the third-tier Ardal North West.

Boro are fifth-from-bottom in the ANW after an inconsistent start to the campaign, whereas Meliden sit near the top of the Tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division, having led the standings at one stage.

Meliden are also a good cup side, so their chances of an upset at Y Morfa certainly cannot be discounted.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (2 pm unless stated)

Brickfield Rangers (T3) v Llanuwchllyn (T3)

This pair have not met since the 2021-22 debut season of the Ardal North West, Llanuwchllyn winning both games 4-1 and 4-3.

They also drew 2-2 at Llan in the shortened 2019-20 season in the Welsh National League Premier Division.

This term, Brickfield lie eighth in the ANW, while Llanuwchllyn are ninth in Ardal North East, but still unbeaten after seven games – two wins and five draws.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 (T3) v Flint Mountain (T3)

Surely one of the ties of the round.

When these two met earlier this season, Mountain made a big statement with a 4-1 victory at Belle Vue in the Ardal North West League.

Since that August clash, 1879 have gone unbeaten in 10 league matches and lead the table by nine points.

Mountain are somewhat surprisingly down in 10th, but their cup commitments have limited their amount of league matches.

Aden Shannon’s side are into the Welsh Cup quarter-finals, where they will visit Bala Town, as well as the last 32 of the Trophy and round two of the League Cup.

RHYL 1879 v FLINT MOUNTAIN – HEAD-TO-HEAD

2023-24
Ardal North West: CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1 Flint Mountain 4
2022-23
Ardal North West: Flint Mountain 1 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1; CPD Y Rhyl 1879 3 Flint Mountain 0
Ardal North League Cup: Flint Mountain 2 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 1

Holyhead Hotspur (T3) v CK Swiss Valley (T4 – 2.30 pm)

Safe to say Hotspur have never met CK Swiss Valley in a competitive game before (or if they have they kept it very quiet).

Tier 3 Holyhead, in very good form of late, especially at home, must have a good chance of seeing off opponents from the T4 West Wales Premier League, where they sit third from bottom with just two victories in 12 fixtures.

Llanfairpwll (T5) v Trethomas Bluebirds (T3)

David versus Goliath or what! Romantic? The Mills and Boon of all Welsh Cup ties will take place at Maes Eilian.

Llanfairpwll have pulled off some tremendous giant-killings in this competition so far, but the Tier 5 heroes more than have their hands full against Trophy holders Trethomas, currently top of Tier 3 Ardal South East and undefeated this season in 12 matches.

CPD Llannefydd (T3) v Risca United (T3)

Risca are just one place below leaders Trethomas in the Ardal South East. so are sure to be tough opponents for Llannefydd.

However, Gwyndaf Pritchard’s men are a formidable proposition at home and they are sitting nicely mid-table in their debut campaign in T3 Ardal North West.

Llay Welfare (T3) v Cefn Cribwr (T3)

Another big test for North Wales!

Cefn Cribwr are second in Ardal South West and travel to the Wrexham area with surely a fair chance of picking up a positive result.

However, Llay are experienced heads and in managers Mike Gadie and Steve Halliwell know what it takes to win matches.

Could be a cracker this one; hopefully a big crowd will be at The Ring to cheer on the Welly.

Menai Bridge Tigers (T4) v Seven Sisters Onllwyn (T3) – POSTPONED….POSTPONED….POSTPONED….POSTPONED….

This one won’t go ahead.

Menai Bridge Tigers released the following statement on Thursday:

“We were informed this morning by Bangor University that the 3G at Treborth has been temporarily closed by the University’s Estates Department due to safety concerns.

“A piece of metal has fallen from a floodlight column, and with high winds forecast this weekend this poses a safety risk to players, officials, and spectators.

“Unfortunately we have been unable to secure an alternative artificial pitch at short notice, and grass pitches would likely be unplayable.

“With our opponents Seven Sisters Onllwyn AFC facing a 4hr+ trip, the best outcome for all parties is to postpone the match.

“We have requested that this match be rearranged for Saturday 6th January as it would be unfair to expect the away side to make this trip over the Christmas period.

“Thank you to Bangor University, Seven Sisters Onllwyn AFC and FA Wales for their cooperation.”

How must Tier 3 Ardal South West club Seven Sisters be feeling!

They have already not played a match in SEVEN weeks, having endured eight successive postponements.

Make that nine.