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WELSH CUP ROUND TWO FIXTURES – NORTHERN TIES (LAST 64 NATIONALLY)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

Bala Town v Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Flint Town United v Gresford Athletic
Holyhead Hotspur v Caernarfon Town
The New Saints v Llangollen Town

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

Bangor 1876 v Llay Welfare
Buckley Town v Colwyn Bay
Caersws v CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Guilsfield
Denbigh Town v Llangefni Town
Holywell Town v Ruthin Town
Llandudno v Kinmel Bay
CPD Llannefydd v Trearddur Bay
Llanrwst United v CPD Cerrigydrudion
CPD Llanuwchllyn v Newtown
Penrhyncoch v Mold Alexandra
Porthmadog v Airbus UK

PREVIEWS

Are there any giant-killings in the air on Welsh Cup round two weekend?

Tier 3 sides Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant and Llangollen Town have huge tasks on their hands when they visit Cymru Premier giants Bala Town and The New Saints respectively on Friday.

The other two northern ties on Friday evening have the potential to be banana skins for the favourites.

Cymru Premier high-flyers Caernarfon Town might find their visit to Tier 3 Ardal North West cup fighters Holyhead Hotspur a bit tricky and Tier 2 Gresford Athletic could give top flight hosts Flint Town United a scare or two.

Onto Saturday, Tier 4 Kinmel Bay have an occason to savour when they make the short trip to Cymru North hopefuls Llandudno.

Bay started the season on fire, but have lost their last three – all to strong opposition. The North Wales Coast East Premier Division underdogs will need to play the game of their lives to upset the Seasiders.

All-Cymru North battles see Bangor 1876 home to Llay Welfare and Buckley Town welcome in-form Colwyn Bay. Wins for 1876 and Bay look a sound bet, but the opposition cannot be dismissed.

There’s definitely a half-chance of a surprise when Tier 3 CPD Y Rhyl 1879 journey to Mid-Wales to take on Cymru North outfit Caersws.

Holders Connah’s Quay Nomads should get past Guilsfield, who nonetheless have a reputation for making things hard for the big boys in this cup.

Ardal North West visitors Llangefni Town also have a live chance of rocking the boat at Cymru North Denbigh Town, and Tier 3 ANW table-toppers Porthmadog will be really up for the visit of Tier 2 leaders Airbus UK Broughton. Again, just a hint of an upset on the cards at Y Traeth.

Holywell Town’s recent patchy form will need to be improved on if they are to defeat dark horses Ruthin Town, Llanuwchllyn of Tier 3 can definitely push Cymru Premier Newtown, a team often vulnerable to giant-killings in past seasons, and Penrhyncoch versus Mold Alexandra could end up very close.

Tier 4 side Cerrigydrudion will travel to Llanrwst United with high hopes of what would be a momentous victory, but the Rwsters are in very good shape at present and should progress.

The all-Ardal North West tussle between CPD Llannefydd and Trearddur Bay looks a wide open contest, with home advantage perhaps just giving Gwyndaf Pritchard’s men the edge.