Big money Cup ties at stake

  

 

Guilsfield, Montgomery, Caersws and Llanidloes are all in round two action, with the big guns of the Welsh Premier as well as the ‘Exiles’ sides coming back into the hat for round three.

 

A tie with Wrexham or Newport could potentially generate tens of thousands of pounds, adding more importance to the weekend ties.

 

Guilsfield host Llandudno, hoping to reverse the fortunes of a fortnight back when they lost to nine men in north Wales, while Caersws will fancy their chances at minnows Barmouth. Montgomery Town have been drawn at home with FC Cefn and Llanidloes face Gap Connah’s Quay.

Newtown, meanwhile, entertain Port Talbot in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier who will have familiar faces in their ranks in Chris Hartland, Paul Keddle and Dylan Blaine who all played for the Robins last term.

 

Manager Bernie McNally can select from a full squad which has shown some signs of improvement with seven points picked up during October. Jermaine Johnstone returns from suspension, but it will be shortlived as he is set to receive another two match ban for remarks made to the fourth Official in the Aberystwyth match a fortnight back.

Elsewhere, local teams are involved in a range of other Cup ties this weekend, with in-form Four Crosses taking a break from their charge in Spar Division Two to entertain Presteigne in the Central Wales Cup second round.

 

Three clean sheets in three league wins has forged Nick Popyk’s side into serious title contenders with the only blemish in October coming in a narrow 3-2 Trophy defeat to Brymbo.

 

“October was a great month for us at the Crosses,” said Popyk who says he is close to signing a new goalkeeper. “It has been really good to see goals coming from everywhere and also the fact that we haven’t conceded in the league is a massive bonus as we were conceding too many soft goals in previous games.

 

“The league really is hotting up with Knighton, Llandod and Llanfair all dropping points lately. Aberaeron can also go above us if they won their games in hand. I think all the teams in the Division Two have improved so all we can do is concentrate on our own games.”

 

Llanfair United silenced the doubters who thought they would not be the same force without summer signings Rich Astley and Ross Frame by seeing off Montgomery in the League Cup last weekend. They will look to continue that form in the Central Wales Cup against Hay St Mary’s at home. Llangedwyn fly the Amateur League flag at home to Cardigan Town, Meifod entertain Newquay while Llanfyllin go to Rhosgoch Rangers.

 

In the Huws Gray Alliance, Llanrhaeadr will entertain Rhos Aelwyd while tonight (Friday), Welshpool Town entertain Carno in the Spar Division One. Also in Spar One tomorrow, Mike Barton takes control of Berriew’s trip to Aberystwyth University, Llansantffraid Village entertain Rhayader, Dyffryn Banw welcome Bow Street while Waterloo Rovers take on Tywyn Brycrug.

 

In Division Two, Kerry and Abermule face daunting journeys to Aberdyfi and Tregaron respectively.

 

 

Local football clubs are ‘manning up’ for the month by growing moustaches in aid of ‘Movember’ which aims to raise money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer. Four Crosses and Guilsfield Reserves are just two of the clubs who have signed up. If your club has too, pick the best two ‘tashes by the end of the month and we’ll publish a rogues’ gallery of the best!

 

 

Welshpool v Carno

Barmouth v Caersws

Guilsfield v Llandudno

Montgomery Town v FC Cefn

Llanidloes Town v Gap Connah’s Quay

Newtown v Port Talbot Athletic

Llanrhaeadr v Rhos Aelwyd

Aberystwyth Uni v Berriew

Llansantffraid Village v Rhayader

Dyffryn Banw v Bow Street

Waterloo v Tywyn Bryncrug

Aberdyfi v Kerry

Tregaron v Abermule

Four Crosses v Presteigne

Llanfair United v Hay St Mary’s

Llangedwyn v Cardigan Town

Meifod v Newquay

Rhosgoch Rangers v Llanfyllin