FAW remove phantom entrants from Women’s Welsh Cup draw
NEWPORT, WALES - 27 APRIL 2025: A view of the trophy during the 2024/25 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final fixture between Wrexham AFC Women & Cardiff City Women FC at Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales. (Pic By Ashley Crowden/FAW)
The qualifying round one northern draw for the Bute Energy Women’s Welsh Cup has been revised after the FAW acknowledged two teams originally included do not exist.
Last night’s draw featured on Cymru Football TV called out North Wales clubs Gwalchmai and Llandyrnog United, neither of whom has ever had a women’s side.
It is believed the two clubs entered the competition by mistake, however despite being told the day before by Grassroots North Wales that the pair – who appeared in the preview contenders pot on the FAW website – should not be involved in the draw, they were still both pulled out of the bowl yesterday evening.
Gwalchmai landed a home tie against Berriew, while Llandyrnog United were drawn away to Wrexham Foresters.
Today, the FAW took both Gwalchmai and Llandyrnog out of the draw, as well as AFC Pontymister and Llanyrafon from South Wales, who were also named but also did not enter.
This was the second year running that the draw featured a ‘phantom’ contestant with Prestatyn Town included last season even though they did not have a team. Lesson not learned.
It is believed the FAW will now put measures in place to ensure this repeated mishap does not occur again.
BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP REVISED NORTHERN DRAW
Ties to be played September 19-20
Bangor City 1876 v Llangefni Town
Buckley Town v Llandudno
Caernarfon Town v Prestatyn Sports
Denbigh Town v NFA
Hawarden Park v Amlwch Town
CPD Pwllheli v Kinmel Bay
Towyn v Airbus UK Broughton
CPDM Y Felinheli v Guilsfield
Byes into qualifying round two: Connah’s Quay Nomads, Flint Town United, Llanfair United, Berriew, Wrexham Foresters.
Nomads, Flint and Llanfair received byes as they occupied the top three places in Tier 2 Adran North last season.