Major obstacle for Met at start of cup defence

THE Nathaniel MG Cup is up and running with the second-round games this weekend seeing the 12 Premier League clubs enter the fray.

This sees holders Cardiff Met kicking off the defence of their silverware on the road at Llantwit Major, who were 1-0 winners over Swansea University last week.

Christian Edwards’ side came so close to pulling off a great result in their Europa League tie against Progres Neiderkorn a month ago, and will surely be raring to get their domestic campaign underway as they seek a third consecutive appearance in the final of this competition.

The students will be without the man, who scored a brace and delivered their senior trophy in last season’s 2-0 final victory over Cambrian and Clydach.

Adam Roscrow made a summer move to join AFC Wimbledon in Division One of the Football League and he will leave big boots to fill for the Met up front this coming season.

The side they beat in last year’s final also join the competition at this stage.

Cambrian & Clydach Vale had a fantastic season last term, and will be one of the favourites to win the JD Cymru South.

Two of Cambrian and Clydach’s key players from last season have stepped up to the newly-named Cymru Premier League and have joined Cardiff Met. Central midfielder and centre back Joe Evans have joined the students and could improve the squad at Cyncoed.

Cambrian host Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town, who they beat 3-1 last year en-route to that final.

Barry Town United, make the long trip to Haverfordwest County, another side who will be in the Cymru South mix.

Barry will parade a few new summer signings and Gavin Chesterfield will be taking this competition seriously.

This season is the first one where the winner makes an automatic entry into the old Irn Bru Scottish Challenge Cup, which is newly-named as the Tunnocks Tea Cake Cup. Connahs Quay were beaten finalists last season.

Haverfordwest, under the guidance of Wayne Jones, could be a stern test for the Linnetts but Chesterfield’s talented group should have too much for the west Walians.

JD Cymru Premier new boys Penybont get their season underway on Friday night with a home tie against Goytre United, 3-0 winners over Caerau Ely last weekend.

Rhys Griffiths will look for a good result and performance as a week tonight Penybont play their first ever Premier League match at home to Barry Town.

The eagerly-awaited derby will be played in front of the S4C cameras next Friday with an 8pm kick-off.

STM Sports, meanwhile, pulled off one of the results of round one, coming from two goals behind to beat Pontypridd Town 3-2.

Their reward is a home tie against fellow Cymru South side Cwmbran Celtic, who were 1-0 winners away at Afan Lido. ■ Cardiff Met Women earned a late victory against hosts Pomurje Beltinci in their opening Champions League qualifying round match in Slovenia.

Naomi Clipston scored two minutes from time, chipping the ball over goalkeeper Ljiljana Gardijan after being played through by Madison Schupbach.

The result saw the Archers claim just their third-ever win in Europe.

Cardiff Met next face Scottish Premier League runners-up Hibernian tomorrow. The Scots lead Group 3 after beating Georgian champions FC Nike Tbilisi 3-0 in their opening game.