Huws Gray Alliance Cup – Round One Preview
This weekend sees the start of the Huws Gray Cup for the opening round of fixtures for the 2018/19 season.
Current holders Flint Town United will be hoping manager Niall McGuiness can lead them to the trophy once again this season. Flint begin their defence with a home tie against Holyhead Hotspur.
But, there is another interesting tie as the new management team at Rhyl led by Eddie Maurice-Jones head back to Jones’ former club Denbigh.
Rhyl vs Denbigh
After a disappointing performance for Rhyl last time out losing to Gresford Athletic in the league, director of football Maurice-Jones will be looking for an improvement from his side when they welcome Eddie-Maurice-Jones’ former side Denbigh Town to Belle Vue.
Denbigh Town season hasn’t gone to plan so far this season, and find themselves second bottom of the league. But, Dewi Llion and Matthew Jones will be hoping a cup run can change their fortunes with a victory over Rhyl this weekend.
Bangor City vs Gresford Athletic
Craig Harrison will be looking for his first win in four games, as the Citizens’ season hasn’t gone to plan just yet. They find themselves eight points behind leaders Airbus after narrowly losing to the leader’s last time out, but the former TNS manager will be looking for a win in the cup to get their season back on track.
Last year’s runners up Gresford travel to Nantporth this Friday on the back of a 3-1 win at Rhyl last Saturday. There won’t be any pressure on Steve Halliwell’s side, so there is every possibility his side play with no fear and enjoy the occasion.
Airbus vs Holywell
Current leaders Airbus will welcome Gareth Sudlow’s side Holywell Town to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium this Saturday. Steve O’Shaughnessy will want his side to continue their good form in the cup and look to win their opening round in the trophy this weekend.
Holywell come into this on the back of their 1-1 drew at home to Conwy Borough last Friday. The Wellmen have started the season slowly, but int he last two games they have picked up four points, and Sudlow will be hoping their season is about to change.
Conwy Borough vs Llanrhaeadr YM
It’s the battle of the promoted sides at Y Morfa this Saturday. Both teams have had a fantastic season so far, with the home side coming into the game as the in-form side, having gone four games unbeaten, winning three and drawing one.
Llanrhaeadr have had a fantastic start to the season with wins vs Rhyl, Buckley and Holyhead, but they come into this game on the back of two defeats. Griffiths will be looking for a big reaction from his side when they travel to Conwy in the cup, hoping they can secure a place in the next round.
Flint Town United vs Holyhead Hotspur
Current holders Flint Town United begin their defence of the Huws Gray Cup at home to Holyhead this Saturday. Niall McGuiness already knows it will be tough to retain the trophy with the likes of Bangor and Airbus installed as early favourites.
Flint have already beaten their opponents this season, on the opening day in a 5-2 win.
Holyhead will be hoping to spoil the trophy defence though. Darren Garmey’s side come into this game with a strong set of results in their last two games, picking up a draw at Bangor before beating rivals Prestatyn.
Porthmadog vs Buckley
Porthmadog boss Craig Papirnyk will be another manager targeting the Huws Gray Alliance Cup as a priority this season.
After a good start to the season, they suffered their second defeat to Buckley last Saturday, and Papirnyk will undoubtedly want to his side to get revenge on their opponents this Saturday at Y Traeth.
Dan Moore’s Buckley have had a fantastic start to life in the Huws Gray Alliance. The side have picked up three wins out of their first six games, and Moore’s side have beaten Gresford, Prestatyn and Porthmadog.
Moore has already shown he can beat Porthmadog so it should be another tough game on Saturday for both sides.
Prestatyn vs Penrhyncoch
It’s been a very difficult start for Prestatyn, who find themselves bottom of the league. Prestatyn have only won one game out of their first six games. Leon Field and Ryan Turner will be looking for an improvement when they welcome inform Penrhyncoch to Bastion Gardens.
Gari Lewis brings his side back up to North Wales after his side drew at Denbigh Town last Saturday. The Mid Wales side have also had a great start to the season, as they find themselves just outside of the top six winning three, drawing one and losing two.
Ruthin Town vs Guilsfield
Chris Williams will be looking for a big reaction from his Ruthin side after they suffered a hammering at Flint Town United last weekend.
Williams’ side themselves on the same points to their opponents Guilsfield as they meet for the second time in two weeks. In the first fixture, Ruthin beat Guilsfield 2-0 when they met at Memorial playing fields.
Guilsfield have had a mixed start to the season, picking up three wins and losing three. Guilsfield come into this game on the back of an impressive performance vs Llanrhaeadr.
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