CROWS GIVEN MERTHYR CUP CHALLENGE

12 July 2007

THREE-TIMES runners-up Cwmbran Town will travel to face Merthyr Saints in the first round of the 2007-08 Welsh Cup.

After suffering relegation from the top-flight Welsh Premier League, the Crows must now come into the national competition at the first round stage on September 15.

Cwmbran will play in Division One of the Welsh League and cup opponents Saints will also play in a different section next season after also suffering relegation - to Division Three.

Cwmbran's three WC final appearances all came under the managership of the late Tony Willcox.

The Cardiff-based civil servant led the Crows to the1996-97 final when they were beaten 2-1 by Barry Town at Cardiff City's Ninian Park before reaching the final again in 1999-2000, only to lose out 1-0 to Bangor City at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Three seasons later, in 2002-03, the Crows went even closer to lifting world football's oldest surviving national cup when they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Barry following a 2-2 after-extra-time draw at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli.

Gwent neighbours Caldicot Town, Caerleon, Croesyceiliog and Newport YMCA will all be Division One rivals for Cwmbran next season and the draw threw up mixed task for the quartet.

Caldicot, promoted from Division Two, must visit Division One side Taffs Well, who host Cwmbran on the league's opening day on August 11, while Caerleon will entertain Treharris Athletic, of Division Two Like Cwmbran, Croesyceiliog, Gwent's highest-placed WL side in 2006-07, will also visit Merthyr, but to tackle Division Two side Troedyrhiw, while YMCA have been handed a home tie against Risca United or Goytre.

Those two clubs will face each other in the preliminary round on August 18.

Welsh Cup draws involving Gwent clubs: Preliminary round (Saturday, August 18): Abertillery Excelsiors v Cwmamman United; Llanwern v Monmouth Town; Risca United v Goytre; Ystradgynlais v Aberbargoed Buds. First round (Saturday, September 15) - Abertillery or Cwmamman v AFC Llwydcoed; Caerleon v Treharris; Llanwern or Monmouth v Barry Town; Merthyr Saints v Cwmbran Town; Newport YMCA v Risca or Goytre; Pentwyn Dynamos v Cwmbran Celtic; Ton Pentre v Ystradgynlais or Aberbargoed; Tredegar Town v Cardiff Corries; Troedyrhiw v Croesyceiliog. Bye: Afan Lido.

All games to be played to a conclusion, including penalties if necessary.