Football

FAW Amateur Trophy last 16 previews: Tough tests await North Wales sides

With last weekend’s deluge wiping out almost all of the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy schedule, we face the unusual situation this Saturday of both that competition and the JD Welsh Cup playing their respective fourth rounds.

We’ve taken a look at the Welsh Cup, so how about the Amateur Trophy?

Six round four ties in the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy will take place on Saturday.

One last 16 clash has already been played – Bridgend Street advancing to the quarters with a penalties victory over Treforest after a 1-1 draw.

With CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 still in both national knockouts, they will take on Trefelin in the Welsh Cup this Saturday, then seven days later travel to Llanrwst United for their outstanding FAW Amateur Trophy battle (December 20).

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s TROPHY ties involving North Wales teams……

FAW AMATEUR TROPHY ROUND FOUR – LAST 16

Saturday, December 13 (2 pm unless stated)

Llangefni Town v Penrhiwceiber Rangers

Big battle in store between teams who are fifth in their respective Tier 3 leagues – Llangefni in the Ardal North West and Ardal South West visitors Penrhiwceiber.
The South Wales side lost 3-0 at home to Cymru North Gresford Athletic in the Welsh Cup on November 22, so maybe Cefni can pick up some pointers from their Wrexham friends.
The striking talents of Town’s Dion Jones will be something to watch out for.
Penrhiwceiber’s James Thornton is second-highest scorer in Ardal SW with 11 goals.

CPD Llannefydd v Port Talbot Town

Can Tier 3 Llannefydd knock the holders off their perch?
Port Talbot have already been eliminated from the Welsh Cup in North Wales at Porthmadog three weeks ago.
They will certainly not want to lose their grip on the Trophy too. Talbot are currently fourth and unbeaten in the Tier 4 South Wales Premier League Premier Division and are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Llannefydd have slid down to 10th in Ardal North West and look to be struggling of late.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix v Mumbles Rangers

Penmaenmawr’s season looked to be on the up when they won four on the bounce recently, but no victories in three have set them back a bit.
At present one off the bottom of Tier 3 Ardal North West, Pen have a chance to get back on track at home to Tier 4 West Wales Premier League hopefuls Mumbles Rangers.
Currently second in their league, the Swansea Bay visitors are on a 13-match unbeaten run so could well prove a tricky hurdle for Phoenix, despite their lower status.

AFC Wattstown v Prestatyn Town

Rhondda Cynon Taf based Wattstown are fifth in the Tier 5 South Wales Premier League Championship, but have a 100% record of 5 and 0.
We will recall from last season that a T5 side made it all the way to the final, so Wattstown are a live opponent for Prestatyn Town, a far more illustrious club with recent Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup winning history.
However, Prestatyn are now in Tier 3 Ardal North West and have suffered a couple of disastrous losses lately, although both of them were at home.