We are pleased to announce that our application to the Welsh Cup has been accepted!! First time we have ever been in the competition!!
Preseason for the 1st team and Reserves is due to start 27th June, 7.15pm at Poplar Park. Old and New players welcome get yourself over there.— Fairwater FC (@WaterFC) June 22, 2018
Fairwater born John Toshack won it five times, playing for South Wales giants Cardiff City and Swansea City, but now Fairwater has a new connection with the Welsh Cup.
For the first time in their history, Fairwater have entered the third-oldest competition in the whole world.
Casey Warren and his side will travel to Larkfield Park to play Welsh League outfit Chepstow Town, with four tiers separating the two clubs.
Fairwater manager Casey Warren said: “The energy and excitement of not just the players but people that will be attending is great.”
I have always wanted to give the Welsh Cup a go. just to test yourself against potentially better opponents and teams you wouldn’t normally play.”
Part of the reason Fairwater entered the competition, was the run of Tiger Bay, who play in the same division as them.
The fellow Cardiff based side reached Round Two of the competition back in 2014, losing to former Welsh Premier League side Caersws.
(Image: Josh Thomas)
Despite the difference between the two sides, manager Casey Warren is confident be competitive in their Welsh Cup clash with Chepstow Town.
A club which has been retained its Welsh League status for the last six years, playing most of its history in the competition.
Warren said: “I’m confident that the lads will give a good account of themselves.
Chepstow are possibly the biggest side in the qualifying round so this is something new for the players.
I know all the lads had the live stream on waiting to see who we had.
When Chepstow came out my phone didn’t stop with messages coming through on the group chat they were all buzzing.”
Club captain Matthew Noyes has experience at Welsh League level with Caerau Ely as well as winning the Division Two title with them.
Stalwart Jason Charles has been there and experienced it with the Social, having won back to back promotions, as well as witnessing the demise of the club, as they were demoted to the eighth tier.
Summer signing Daniel John has played in it before with AFC Butetown and Merthyr, as well as knocking out Chepstow Town before.
Perhaps one of their go to players though is Daniel Mais, who has experience of Cup success. He was part of the Croesyceiliog team that won the Welsh Football League Cup.
“I haven’t had a chance to get to any of their games personally.
I’ve had some feedback from some good friends that have played against them or been to watch.
Taken a few things away from them but mainly going to play to our strengths.”
(Image: Josh Thomas)
The Monmouthshire based side staved off relegation last season, finishing 14th out of 16th in Division Three.
This season, have started the season well, remaining unbeaten in their league campaign.
For Fairwater, they have yet to play a league game this season, with their only competitive game being against Avenue Hotspur on Tuesday, where they came out victorious.
“As long as we play our game and keep our discipline who knows what can happen.
We don’t mind being the underdog. We just want to see how we can mix it against a Welsh League side.
We got nothing to lose so we’re just going to enjoy the occasion.”
(Featured Image: Josh Thomas)
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