Why is a pathetic seeding system still allowed in the Genero Adran Trophy?

What exactly is the thinking behind the FAW seeding Adran Premier teams in the last 16 of the Genero Adran Trophy?

The way the competition works, this week’s second round draw ensured none of the eight tier 1 top flight clubs could face each other.

All due respect to the eight tier 2 Adran North/South clubs left in the tournament, but the make-up of the 2024-25 last 16 gives the Premier sides a massive advantage.

Why can’t we have open draw at this stage?

The remaining Adran North and South contenders have already had to come through a group stage to qualify for the final 16.

And the “reward” for that is a guaranteed meeting with a team from the league above.

I’m not saying Connah’s Quay Nomads are sure to lose to holders Cardiff City, that Llandudno cannot beat Aberystwyth Town at home, that Flint Town United’s trip to Barry Town United will prove fruitless or that Llanfair United won’t upset the apple cart at Swansea City.

However, the odds will definitely strongly favour four Adran Premier wins out of four in those aforementioned ties.

Okay, some may argue that this way David v Goliath games will be created and the tier 2 teams get a chance to test themselves against higher opposition, but that opportuinity is already on offer via the Welsh Cup.

It makes no sense to have seedings in the Adran Trophy. With the present state of play, it appears the FAW want to create an ‘elite’ quarter-final line-up.

It would be far better to present the possibility of tier 1 drawing tier 1 and tier 2 being paired with tier 2 in the last 16.

That way, the lower-ranked teams will have a better chance of progressing to the latter stages of the competition, and with the luck of the draw even earn a semi-final or final place.

We don’t need the Adran Trophy turned into another Welsh Cup.

To have a ‘manufactured’ set of quarter-finals instead of the potential excitement of cheering for an underdog or two in there is just not right.

It was not long ago that the FAW seeded the men’s Welsh Cup.

Initially, in 2021-22, clubs from the top-two tiers could have been drawn home or away against lower league hopefuls,

Then, in 2022-23, it was amended to ensure the lesser-ranked teams were guaranteed a home draw against the seeded Cymru Premier or Cymru North/South ‘big boys’.

Eventually, after many protests, the seeding system was scrapped altogther.

Yet here we are, still seeing it happen in the Genero Adran Trophy.

Seeding was stopped in the men’s competition, why not the women’s?

In the Adran Trophy, the tier 2 clubs are not even guaranteed the luxury of a home tie in the last 16 at present.

Nomads and Llandudno will be home next month, but Flint and Llanfair have to make long trips to South Wales.

The FAW soon got rid of the Welsh Cup seeding experiment, yet see fit to allow such a farce to remain in the Adran Trophy.

It’s time for a rethink in Cardiff.

In the meantime, fingers crossed for a giant-killing or two in this season’s last 16.

GENERO ADRAN TROPHY ROUND TWO DRAW
Matches will be played on Sunday, November 10

Barry Town United v Flint Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel v Penybont
Caldicot Town v The New Saints
Cascade v Cardiff Met
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Cardiff City
Cwmbran Celtic v Wrexham
Llandudno v Aberystwyth Town
Swansea City v Llanfair United