Luck of draw makes it tough on trophy trail

THE area’s top two football clubs could not have it tougher in this weekend’s Welsh Cup fourth round.

Caernarfon Town entertain six-time cup winners The New Saints at The Oval on Friday (7.45pm), while on Saturday. Porthmadog visit the Welsh Premier’s second-placed side Connah’s Quay Nomads (2.30pm).

For the Canaries, the visit of the Welsh Premier champions will evoke fond memories of when these teams last clashed in the Welsh Cup back in 2014/15.

Town led 2-0 at The Oval before the Park Hall outfit battled back to win 3-2 on their way to lifting the trophy.

Caernarfon have already knocked out one WPL side in Barry Town United this season, and Sean Eardley’s side top the Huws Gray Alliance boosted by a 17-match unbeaten streak.

However, TNS are well on course for a seventh straight top-flight title, presently enjoying a 12-point advantage at the end of the first phase with 10 games remaining.

In eliminating Penyffordd (3-0), Penley (10-0) and Panteg (7-2) on their journey to the last 16, Porthmadog have banged in 20 goals in three ties.

But Craig Papirnyk’s men know a visit to Nomads will be much tougher.

Port last met Saturday’s opposition in 2011/12, when Quay were in the Huws Gray Alliance and en route for the title.

The Traeth men took four points out of six off the Deesiders, but lost to them in the Huws Gray Cup.

Porthmadog are running a coach for supporters to Connah’s Quay this Saturday which leaves Y Traeth at 11am.

Contact Dylan Rees on rees48wesla@gm.com / 07900 512345 or Rhydian Morgan via Twitter @MorganRL