RULES OF THE LEAGUE’S CUP/SHIELD COMPETITIONS

1. All Clubs in the Welsh Football League must take part. All players must be registered League players for the Clubs for whom they compete, and no player can play for more than one club in the competition in any one season.

2. All Matches shall be on a knock-out basis. The Semi-Finals and the Final tie shall be played on neutral grounds.

3. In the event of a game being drawn after ninety (90) minutes of play it shall be decided by a further period of play of thirty (30) minutes, and if still drawn, shall be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with FAW. Rule 72. The penalty kick procedure is detailed later in this handbook.

4. The home team shall be responsible for the printing, posting, referee and Assistant Referee’s fees and travelling expenses, appropriate to the Division concerned, in accordance with League rule 26.  In respect of the League Challenge Cup, Division One fees and travelling expenses shall aply.

5. Conference dates will be arranged for all rounds, up to, and including the Semi-Finals, clubs may mutually agree to play before such dates, provided a scheduled League fixture is not disturbed.

6. Results of Matches must be transmitted to The League Secretary in writing and to the Fixture Secretary by telephone in accordance with League Rules.

7. The Management committee of The Welsh Football League will have full powers over all matters appertaining to the Challenge Cup, and their decision will be final.

PENALTY KICK PROCEDURE

As referred to in Cup Rule 3

1. The referee shall choose the goal at which all of the kicks shall be taken.

2. He shall toss a coin, and the team whose captain wins the toss shall have the option to take the first kick.

3. (a) Subject to the terms of the following paragraph (c) and (d) both teams shall take five kicks. (b) The kicks shall be taken alternatively. (c) If, before both teams have taken five kicks, one has scored more goals than the other could, even if it were to complete its five kicks, the taking of kicks shall cease. (d) If, after both teams have taken five kicks, both have scored the same number of goals, or have not scored any goals, the taking of kicks shall continue, in the same order until such time both have taken an equal number of kicks (not necessarily five more kicks) and one has scored a goal more than the other.

4. The team which scores the greater number of goals whether the number of kicks taken is in accordance with the terms of the foregoing paragraph 3(a), 3(d) shall qualify for the next round of the competition, or shall be declared winner of the competition, as the case may be.

5. (a) With the exception referred to in the following paragraph (b) only the players who are on the field of play at the end of the match, which shall mean at the end of the match, which shall mean at the end of extra time is authorised is concerned, and any who having left the field temporarily, with or without the referee's permission, are not on the field of play at that time, shall take part in the taking of the kicks. (c) Provided that his team has not already made use of the maximum number of substitutes permitted by the rules of the competition under which the match was played, a goalkeeper who sustains and injury during the taking of the kicks, and who because of injury, is unable to continue as goalkeeper, may be replaced by a substitute.

6. Each kick shall be taken by a different player, and not until all eligible players of any team, including the goalkeeper or the named substitute by whom he was replaced in terms of paragraph (5) as the case may be, have each taken a kick, may a player of the same team take a second kick.

7. Subject to the terms of paragraph (5), any player who is eligible may change places with his goalkeeper at any time during the taking of the kicks.

8. (a) Other than the player taking a kick from the penalty mark, and the two goalkeepers, all players shall remain within the centre circle whilst the taking of kicks is in progress. (b) The goalkeeper who is a colleague of the kicker shall take up position within the field of play, outside the penalty area at which the kicks are being taken, behind the line which runs parallel with the goal line, and at least 10 yards from the penalty mark.

9. Unless stated to the contrary in the foregoing paragraphs 1 to 8, the Laws of the Game, and the International Board decisions relating thereto, shall in so far as they can, apply at the taking of the kicks.

NB: In the event of light failing before the end of the taking of kicks from the penalty mark, the result shall be decided by the toss of a coin or the drawing of lots.