On the business end of a disappointing 85th-minute equaliser at home to Blaenavon
Blues, the Crows will be looking to use the draw as fuel to the fire that is a hotly
anticipated away visit to Rhyl on the North Wales coast.
Neither team was able to effectively get themselves going last Saturday, but this weekend against a higher-placed Rhyl 1879, the Crows will be looking to make the underdog advantage count.
It has been a brilliant start to the season overall for the Crows so far, with just one
defeat and draw being suffered across ten matches in the league. On the other end
of the spectrum however, Rhyl have been less fortunate with a worrying four defeats
in five games.
With Cwmbran Town’s giant-killing record already on the move with a penalty win against JD Cymru South outfit Llantwit, the Crows will be taking all their chances in North Wales.
Despite the recent draw against Blaenavon, Cwmbran Town have continued to cause waves through South Wales, with wins continuing and the 8-7 penalty win to Llantwit contributing heavily.
The question, though, is whether these waves will continue to travel further North – a victory against Rhyl will definitely do just that for both sides.
Welsh Cup
With the Welsh Cup being the highest form of Cup tournament across Wales domestically, no little than a fierce contest for a place in the quarter-finals is expected from this match.
Ardal Southeast side Cwmbran Town will be looking to become the only Ardal League team left in the cup, while Rhyl will just want a positive result to avoid what would be a disappointing defeat, and avoid adding to what is already a club in poor form.
Advancing to the next round would mean a huge amount to either of the clubs involved, and with what is at stake, there is sure to be no mistake in either manager’s thoughts behind their tactical or player selection.
Usually based at Cwmbran Stadium, the trip to Rhyl is no small feat. A four-hour
coach journey on Friday is what the club is expecting to arrive in Rhyl and stay the
night before gearing up for the task at hand.
Some at Cwmbran Town may have been thinking that their longest trip in the Welsh Cup would have been Llantwit, however compared to a visit to Rhyl, 45 minutes is nothing.
Memorable strike
The Crows last away day in the cup was finished off with a memorable strike from Christian O’Donnell, where a first-time curler was sent flying past the goalkeeper to tie the
game. Callum Brain, the former Newport County prospect, was then able to save the
penalty, and with everybody else scoring, it left the Crows heading to the round of
16.
In a high-stakes game, both teams will be looking to take an early edge and be able
to book their place in the quarter-finals, with the Crows chasing a healthy comeback
following the previous week’s disappointment, and Rhyl looking to put a dagger in
their recent bout of poor form.
It really is a competition either team can win, and if everything adds up, we could truly have an all-time round of 16 fixture.
Gabe Hubbarde is studying sports journalism in Bristol.