Swansea University v Prestatyn Town: The weekend’s most intriguing Welsh Cup fixture
Ammanford versus Caernarfon was the pick of the Round Four draw when it was made, but one game which could match that is a game taking place in Swansea.
Arguably though the biggest fixture of intrigue is the match taking place at Sketty Lane.
It’s North versus South with the very best of the second-tier pitting off against one another.
Cymru South leaders Swansea University host Prestatyn Town in a match of intrigue from the two main regions of Wales.
Swansea University hold the advantage, playing Swansea University at home.
The league tables
It’s somewhat of a closer title race in the Cymru South. Swansea University are a point ahead of Haverfordwest but have played a game more than the Bluebirds.
They’re also only four points ahead of third.
Compare that to the Cymru North where Prestatyn Town are head and shoulders above the rest.
Prestatyn are 12 points clear of Flint Town United in second and a whole 20 points ahead of third-placed Colwyn Bay.
The Students have tasted defeat just twice this season and are going into the game in some form.
Prestatyn have won their last four matches in all competitions and like their Cup opponents have lost just two games this season in the Cymru North.
An audition for the Regions Cup?
It was recently announced that the qualification for representing Wales would be changed.
Tier two players could now represent Wales, providing they hadn’t played professionally before or featured in the Welsh top flight.
In Swansea Uni’s case that could be more likely but for Prestatyn, a majority of their squad may have to miss out.
However, this could be seen as an audition for that two-legged play-off which will happen this year.
It’s a chance to look at how the two leagues compare.
A chance to make the most of the rebrand
Before the rebrand, the Cymru Alliance will have been the leading league in the second tier.
It contains and still does contain, some massive teams of Welsh football. Clubs such as Bangor City and Rhyl are competing in the division and will likely have to miss out on promotion due to such a dominant season from Prestatyn.
The Welsh League Division One as it was known then, had the teams but there wasn’t as much knowledge about them.
With the introduction of the leagues coming under one banner now, we’re understanding more stories.
Players such as Arion Sobers-Assue and Marley Bishop-Wisdom are becoming household names in the division and rightfully so.
A meeting in the Cymru Premier?
Given their current positions it could be likely that these two meet again this year in the Welsh top flight.
The closest we’ve had to judge this season is how Penybont – a dominant Welsh League winner – have competed against Airbus UK.
One thing is for sure, that this match at Sketty Lane will either be a tight edgy affair or a footballing classic.
(Featured Image: Valleyboy Photography)
