With the second phase of the JD Welsh Premier League not kicking off until the following week, this weekend (Saturday, January 26) sees The New Saints of Oswestry Town in JD Welsh Cup action.
The fourth round tie between Airbus UK Broughton FC and TNS FC will be the first time that the teams have met since the former’s relegation from the top flight in 2016/2017.
Scott Ruscoe’s side entered the competition in the previous round, and progressed courtesy of a Chris Seargeant hat-trick, that saw Cwmbran Celtic beaten 3-0 on home turf at Celtic Park.
The Wingmakers’ journey thus far though has been more involved, as they were in the draw from round one, where they beat Penycae 4-0 at Afoneitha Road.
It was another Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) side next, this time at home, as Llay Welfare were beaten 9-1.
Round three was always going to be a tough test for Airbus, as they welcomed CPD Porthmadog to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium. The fellow Huws Gray Cymru Alliance side took the lead in the first half, with Steve O’Shaughnessy’s team equalising on 75 minutes.
That was it as far as goals in open play was concerned, and the next time the keepers were beaten was in the penalty shoot-out, which ended 4-2 to the Wingmakers.
Although Airbus have yet to get their hands on the coveted trophy, The New Saints have lifted the Welsh Cup on six occasions. The most recent victory – in 2015/2016 – was against Saturday’s opponents, at Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground, in a game that ended 2-0.
The fixture this weekend, at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, kicks off at 2.30 p.m. and there is transport for fans available from Park Hall, with details here.
If you are not at the game in person then you can follow the action via TNS Radio, with the link on the home page of our website. With Airbus flying high at the top of the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, it promises to be an exciting encounter.