Minnows set sights on big upsets in first round
WELSH CUP
THE JD Welsh Cup reaches the first round stage tomorrow, with some fantastic-looking ties in store across the south.
Two of the lowest-ranked sides left in the competition have both been handed away trips. Tier-six sides Blaenrhondda and Cornelly United will travel to Garden Village and Treharris Athletic Western respectively, with both looking to cause an upset.
There will definitely be one fifth-tier side in the second round draw after South Wales Alliance League Premier sides Sully Sports and Brecon Corries were paired together.
Brecon made the third round in 2015/16, where they eventually lost to Caerau Ely. There’s only a point separating the sides in the league table at present, and we can expect a close game on the coast as both look to progress into Monday’s draw.
STM Sports of Cardiff have a tastylooking home tie against Haverfordwest County. The Bluebirds have been in good form so far this season, currently sitting second in Welsh League Division One and also reaching the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
STM’s rise up the leagues, though, has been rapid, and five wins from seven to open the season has them sitting fifth in the Second Division, and dreaming of reaching the second round for the third time in four seasons.
Former JD Welsh Premier League champions Cwmbran Town have reached this stage of the cup for the first time in three seasons, and their reward is a home tie against Afan Lido. The Crows are another side who have made a good start to the season, sitting second in the Gwent County League, but whether the three-time runnersup can overcome the three-division gap to their opponents is another question.
There’s another Gwent County League v Welsh League D1 clash in the draw, as Ynysddu Welfare host Taffs Well. Welfare made a lot of headlines two weeks ago when their hastilyassembled youth side, who had never played a game before, beat Briton Ferry Llansawel on penalties in the first round of the FAW Youth Cup, and their senior side has their own chance to write their own cup story tomorrow.
Briton Ferry Llansawel v Caerau Ely, Cambrian & Clydach BGC v Port Talbot Town, Cwmamman United v Dinas Powys, Cwmbran Celtic v Ammanford, Cwmbran Town v Afan Lido, Garden Village v Blaenrhondda, Llandrindod Wells v Aberbargoed Buds, Llanidloes Town v Pontypridd Town, Panteg v Penybont, Penlan Club v Goytre United, Pontyclun v Llantwit Major, Radnor Valley v Goytre FC, STM Sports v Haverfordwest County, Sully Sports v Brecon Corries, Ton Pentre v Pencoed Athletic. Trefelin BGC v Swansea University, Treharris Athletic Western v Cornelly United, Undy Athletic v Monmouth Town, West End v Caldicot Town, Ynysddu Welfare v Taffs Well.
JD Welsh Cup R1 - South: