NWCFA Junior Cup latest – and it’s not good news

This season’s NWCFA Junior Challenge Cup Final looks unlikely to go ahead.

CPD Y Glannau have lost their appeal against the FAW’s decision to expel them from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in their 8-1 semi-final victory over Bow FC.

However, it has emerged this evening that Y Glannau has now opted to take the case to an independent arbitrator.

With the cut off point for all fixtures in the 2023-24 North Wales season being May 31, there are only a few days left to settle the issue, then get a date arranged for the final.

Y Glannau brought on a substitute in the 81st minute of their semi win over Bow in February who had played for another team previously in the competition – which is against the rules.

The St Asaph side were 8-1 ahead at the time.

After the game, Bow lodged a protest with the NWCFA, who dismissed Y Glannau from the cup.

Y Glannau appealed to a NWCFA special committee, who reinstated them.

Bow took the matter to the FAW, who expelled Y Glannau for breaking the competition rule.

Y Glannau submitted an appeal to the FAW, who have now awarded the tie to Bow for a second time.

The FAW said in a statement today: “The decisions have now been communicated in relation to the NWCFA Junior Cup. CPD Y Glannau’s appeal was dismissed and therefore, Bow FC remain in the NWCFA Junior Cup.”

Y Glannau had until 5 pm today to appeal to independent arbitration and have exercised that option.

The FAW added: “The timeline on this being heard is now in the hands of the independent arbitrator.”

CPD Llanfairpwll, who won their semi in February, await in the final, but it now seems likely time will run out for the game to take place.

The North Wales Coast FA Junior Challenge Cup has been competed for since 1894-95.

Apart from being suspended during the two World Wars, the only oither occasions the competition has not been completed were the Covid affected seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21.