The Second Round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup is well underway, with two sides booking their place in the Quarter-Final of the competition.
Bala Town and Acton will look forward to their place in the last-eight after victories last week, and now another six sides will aim to join them.
Safely Through
North East Wales Division One Acton have had a superb year, earning promotion to the fourth tier as champions last season and more than holding their own this season. Now, they can claim a scalp from the Lock Stock Ardal North East following victory over Corwen.
It took until the 71st minute for the deadlock to be broken when Jack White converted a penalty before Liam Davies doubled the advantage six minutes later to see the Wrexham-based side through to the Quarter-Final for the first time.
Bala Town are also looking ahead to the next stage following their 2-1 success against Cefn Albion. Okera Simmonds nudged the hosts ahead at Maes Tegid on 67 minutes before Tom Jones made it two with 11 to play. Dion Gibbins halved the deficit three minutes later but the Lakesiders navigated themselves safely through.
Looking Ahead
Five games take place on Tuesday night with a host of fascinating ties. The pick of the bunch will come at the Airfield as the defending winners Airbus welcome Coedpoeth United. ‘Coedy’ come into it four divisions below their Novira Cymru Premier hosts having already overcome Lex, Penyffordd and CPD Yr Wyddgrug. Airbus have started well in the top tier with six wins from 12 and a 3-0 thumping of Trefelin at the weekend.
Brickfield Rangers’ blistering start in the Novira Cymru North has been outstanding and may well be looking for success in the cup as well. They welcome fellow Wrexham side Llay Miners Welfare to Clywedog Park. Llay’s slow start in the Lock Stock Ardal North West was helped at the weekend with a league win and victory over Brickfield could help get them back on track and shift some momentum their way.
2022 winners Ruthin Town have a home tie against league rivals Gresford Athletic with both sides picking up form in recent weeks. It’s the first of a double header between the sides in the league and cup in October, and whilst maintaining their place in the Cymru North will be a priority, either side getting their hands on the trophy once again would be sweet.
Buckley Town have won the competition more times than any other and adding one more would complete a perfect 10. They take on Tier Four Holywell United at the Globe and are unbeaten in five games in all competitions. They took on Tier Four opponents in the FAW Welsh Cup recently, dispatching Y Glannau 9-0 on the road. Holywell haven’t lost since July in a narrow defeat to Tier Three Llanfair United, and will look to make a statement against the Bucks.Â
The final match this week pits Cymru Premier against Ardal North West, with Flint Town United playing host to newly promoted Broughton United. The visitors have been adapting to life in the Third Tier with two wins from eight but are without a win since the back end of August. Flint meanwhile have won back-to-back games in the Cymru Premier against Haverfordwest County and Ammanford and will see the NEWFA Challenge Cup as a great opportunity to lift silverware come May.
The final game of the Second Round will come on October 17th when Cymru North Mold Alexandra take on Chirk AAA. The North East Wales Division Two side are the lowest-ranked club left in the competition and take on an Alex side chasing the leading pack.
Fixtures:
Acton 2-0 Corwen
Bala Town 2-1 Cefn Albion
Brickfield Rangers v Llay Miners Welfare
Ruthin Town v Gresford Athletic
Buckley Town v Holywell United
Flint Town United v Broughton United
Airbus UK Broughton v Coedpoeth United
Mold Alexandra v Chirk AAA
