By David Williams
Newport County’s return to the Nathaniel MG Welsh League Cup has been put on hold after one of their academy players was caught up in a positive Covid test.
It means their first round home clash with Undy Athletic has been put back, although they still hope to play before Christmas. Another Covid casualty is the game between Holywell Town and Llanidloes Town in the northern section.
The Cup games are spread over the weekend and Cardiff City’s return to the tournament tonight will see them take on Taffs Well at the USW Sports Ground.
Former Wales international Andy Legg will also be returning to the competition after taking over as manager at Llanelli Town for a second spell.
His side will be hosing Llantwit Major, who were ironically the last team they met in a competitive match way back on 6 March.
On that occasion Llanelli came out on top 1-0 at Stebonheath and will be hoping to make home advantage work in their favour once again tonight.
On Friday night we play our first competitive game of the season against a @CardiffCityFC team in the first round of the @nathanielcars Cup.
Sadly supporters will not be allowed to attend, but we will keep you upto date via social media.
Kickoff @ 7.45pm #wellmen pic.twitter.com/vvV7OwQmxR— Taffs Well FC (@Taffswellfc) December 9, 2020
For all the of the clubs involved from JD Cymru North and South it will be their first competitive match of the season and will give them a reference point before heading into their curtailed league programme next month.
Newly promoted side Holyhead Hotspur, now managed by Sean Eardley, host Llandudno at The New Oval, while Buckley Town welcome promotion favourites Colwyn Bay to The Globe.
“More than anything I’m just really looking forward to seeing the lads back out on the pitch. We’ve been counting down the days,” said Bay boss Craig Hogg.
“The game will be our first none-in-house 11v11 since March. That sounds bizarre when we are now in December.
“For a number of reasons we haven’t been able to play a friendly game, which isn’t ideal going into a cup competition, but we will be looking at the tie as part of our prep work before the season starts properly at some point in January.
Sam Downey will be Bay’s new skipper for tomorrow’s Nathaniel MG Cup tie away to @BTFCofficial77 while Lewis Sirrell and Jack Higgins are in contention to make their debuts for the club. See https://t.co/FtuKZtOTJI pic.twitter.com/erhaosjLcR
— Colwyn Bay FC 🏴 (@ColwynBayFC) December 11, 2020
“The game will be a good opportunity to give the first team and U19 players some real competitive minutes against a good side.”
Hugo Colace’s Bangor City welcome new-look Gresford Athletic to Nantporth, while Llanrhaeadr entertain Llangefni in another good looking tie.
The first round comprises 26 Tier 2 clubs, split equally between the North and South. Newport County and Cardiff City are wildcard entries.
Carmarthen Town, Swansea University and Briton Ferry Llansawel from the JD Cymru South, and Airbus UK Broughton, Prestatyn Town and Guilsfield from the JD Cymru North, have all received byes and will go into the hat for the second Round alongside the JD Cymru Premier clubs.
Nathaniel MG Cup 1st Round
North
Bangor City v Gresford Athletic (2.30pm, Saturday)
Buckley Town v Colwyn Bay (2.30pm, Saturday)
Conwy Borough v Ruthin Town (2.30pm, Saturday)
Holyhead Hotspur v Llandudno (2.30pm, Saturday)
Holywell Town v Llanidloes Town (Postponed – COVID)
Llanrhaeadr v Llangefni Town (TBC, Saturday)
South
Ammanford v Trefelin BGC (1.30pm, Saturday)
Cardiff City v Taffs Well (7.45pm, Friday)
Goytre United v Penrhyncoch
Llanelli Town v Llantwit Major (7.30pm, Friday)
Newport County v Undy Athletic (Postponed – COVID)
Pontypridd Town v Cwmbran Celtic (TBC, Friday)
Port Talbot Town v Cambrian & Clydach Vale (2.30pm, Saturday)
Risca United v Afan Lido (2.30pm, Saturday)