Extended Match Preview: Bala Town vs Pontypridd Town
It's JD Welsh Cup day as we welcome Cymru South side, Pontypridd Town to Maes Tegid. Following our emphatic 17-1 win against Brymbo in Round Two, the Lakesiders hope to progress through to Round Three of the Cup by overcoming Pontypridd.
The Match
Bala Town vs Pontypridd Town
JD Welsh Cup Round Three
Maes Tegid
Saturday 25th of September - Kick Off: 2:30pm
Chief Executive, Nigel Aykroyd's Notes
Y Cwpan Cymru – the most prestigious trophy in domestic Welsh football takes centre stage today and we welcome Pontypridd FC for their first ever visit to Maes Tegid to contest Round 3 of this marvellous tournament.
I sincerely hope that our visitors enjoy the renowned hospitality of Bala Town and that you will leave with cherished memories of your trip to our wonderful part of Wales. Despite the difference in tier ratings of the teams today we can expect a fiercely competitive encounter as our visitors have made an excellent start to their JD Cymru South and remain unbeaten in the League.
We have had an eye opening reminder of how good the standard is of the Tier 2 Clubs after our narrowest of margins wins in the Nathaniel MG League Cup last Tuesday in Bangor. I have no doubt that Pontypridd will provide a similar test and as we all know Cups are notorious for throwing up results which defy league positions. We all look forward to an intriguing encounter and an afternoon of excellent entertainment.
Thank you most sincerely for those who have made the long journey up the A470. Please enjoy your day in Bala and have a very safe return home.
Nigel.
Insight into our opponents
Form:
(A) vs Penrhyncoch 1-3 - Nathaniel MG Cup
(H) vs Briton Ferry 0-0 - League
(A) vs Swansea University 3-4 - League
(H) vs Penydarren BGC 6-0 - JD Welsh Cup
(H) vs Undy Athletic 5-1 - League
(H) vs Cwmbran Celtics 3-0 - League
Danger Man
Luke Gullick - The 34 year old forward sits in 2nd place in the Cymru South top scorers chart with 11 goals in 10 appearances, making him Pontypridd's top scorer for the season, while his team mate Sam Johnson has 8 goals to his name. Gullick also netted a hat-trick in a 8-0 win over Port Talbot Town in September, after going on a run of scoring in 5 consecutive games in the league, therefore he will definitely be the danger man for the visitors today.
Fun Fact
The visitors come to Maes Tegid today on a 26 game unbeaten run, which stretches back to December 2019. Their previous defeat came at now Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County, in a 3-2 defeat on the 14th of December 2019.
Club History - Pontypridd Town
Pontypridd Football Club is believed to have been established around 1908, unfortunately the club then dissolved in 1926 due to the lack of financial viability. Pontypridd FC was then resurrected in 2018 with the decision being made by the management and players of their Reserve team who played in the Welsh Football League. The club then climbed into the JD Cymru South League, finishing 11th place in the 2018/19 season after going through a relegation battle. The club now sit in 2nd place in the Cymru South, just a point behind Llantwit Major, and are the league's second best scorers with 33 goals in 10 games.
Match Officials
Referee: John Andrew Jones
Linesmen: Connah Sears & Nathan Wheatley
Fourth Official: Arthur Smallman
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