Coedpoeth United are preparing for one of the biggest occasions in the club’s recent history as they travel to face Trefelin in the last 32 of the Welsh Cup.
One of the lowest-ranked sides remaining in the competition, Coedpoeth have already enjoyed an impressive cup run, including a memorable victory over established Cymru North outfit Guilsfield in the previous round.
Now, they face an even bigger challenge against a Trefelin side competing in the Cymru Premier, the highest level of Welsh domestic football.
However, despite the considerable difference in resources and experience between the two clubs, manager Jack Pawley believes his players have every reason to approach the occasion with confidence.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Pawley and chairman Mark Hughes discussed the challenge awaiting their side, the importance of the Welsh Cup and the club’s ambitions to establish themselves higher up the Welsh football pyramid.
Coedpoeth boss Jack Pawley explains how side are preparing for Trefelin challenge
For Pawley, preparing for a Cymru Premier opponent requires a different approach to the familiar challenges his side face in their own region.
Having regularly encountered the same opposition in league and cup competitions, Coedpoeth are accustomed to understanding their opponents’ strengths, weaknesses and tactical approaches.
That familiarity will not be available against Trefelin, meaning the coaching staff have turned to video analysis to give their players the best possible preparation.
“We don’t know anything about Trefelin, tactically or how they set up,” Pawley explained.We know they’re a Tier One side in the Cymru Premier.”
The manager revealed that his preparations have involved studying available footage to identify patterns of play and understand how Trefelin operate in different situations.
It is an approach that proved successful against Guilsfield, with Pawley hoping the additional preparation can provide another important advantage.
“It’s about giving players enough information, but not too much. We don’t want to overload them with too much information,” he said.
“We can set ourselves up for success. Do our analysis, get the information to the players and, as you say, not too much to try and overdo it.”
Trefelin’s league form could also provide Coedpoeth with some encouragement, although Pawley is under no illusions about the quality they will face.
He acknowledged that Trefelin have struggled to find consistency this season but believes their position in the Cymru Premier demands considerable respect.
The manager also suggested that the Welsh Cup could represent an opportunity for Trefelin to turn their fortunes around.
“They will be looking at this game as an opportunity to change their fortunes, to gain some confidence, to kick-start their season and to gain momentum,” he added.
Despite that warning, Pawley admitted there is an obvious advantage to facing a team that has not been winning regularly.
Prospect of facing former Premier League and Wales International
One of the intriguing aspects of the tie is the possibility of coming up against former Premier League player and Wales international Shaun MacDonald.
MacDonald’s experience at the highest level adds another dimension to an already difficult assignment for Coedpoeth, with the prospect of facing a player who has represented Wales and played against top European opposition undoubtedly an exciting one.
Pawley admitted it was something the players and coaching staff were looking forward to, although he was quick to stress that his side could not afford to become distracted by one individual.
“Let’s hope he’s on the bench to begin with. Gaffer gives him a little bit of a rest for this one,” he joked.
However, the manager insisted that focusing too heavily on MacDonald would be a mistake.
“We’re not in a position to focus on one player. We’re now playing against 16 top Cymru Prem players, first and foremost,” he said.
“We don’t have the luxury to focus on one player and try to stop Shaun from playing.”
For Coedpoeth, the priority will be to remain organised, trust their game plan and ensure they do not allow the occasion to distract them from their responsibilities.
Pride of leading Coedpoeth into historic Welsh Cup tie
The occasion carries particular significance for Pawley, who has spent almost a decade involved with Coedpoeth, initially as a player before eventually moving into management.
Having occasionally worn the captain’s armband during his playing days, he has experienced several important milestones with the club.
His coaching journey also began at a young age, working with youth teams before becoming involved with Coedpoeth’s successful under-19s side.
Now, having taken charge of the first team in 2025, Pawley finds himself leading the club into one of its biggest matches in years.
He admitted that the personal significance of the occasion had not fully sunk in, with his attention firmly fixed on preparing his players.
“Well, proud is the first thing that comes to my mind,” he said. For me personally, it’s a proud moment. There’s no denying that.”
However, Pawley believes the club’s achievement should not simply be viewed as a one-off occasion.
The manager wants Coedpoeth to reach this stage of major competitions more regularly, rather than waiting another 20 or 25 years for a similar opportunity.
He also revealed that the experience of beating Guilsfield has made everyone around the club even more determined to continue their progress.
“We have to make sure that this isn’t the last time that we experience things like this,” he added.
“Our ambition is to make these types of games and reaching this stage of the competition more frequent, not once every 25 or 20 years or whatever it’s been.”
Pawley also explained that he prefers to use the word belief rather than dream when discussing the possibility of defeating Trefelin.
He insists the players genuinely believe they can travel away and win, rather than simply viewing the fixture as an opportunity to enjoy a memorable day out.
Coedpoeth’s chairman reveals community ambitions, targeting Tier Three football
While the first team’s Welsh Cup adventure has captured attention, chairman Mark Hughes believes the club’s wider progress is just as important.
Coedpoeth have worked hard to establish themselves as a community-focused organisation, providing opportunities for players across different age groups and backgrounds.
The club currently has two men’s teams, a women’s team, three girls’ teams, walking football teams for men and women, alongside several youth and mini teams.
Hughes believes the strength of the club comes from the people involved, particularly the coaches and volunteers who have helped create a pathway for young players to progress into senior football.
“We’re probably punching above our weight, really, at times, but we’re blessed with good people. All the coaches we’ve got from all groups and ages are all decent people, good coaches, good people rather than just being focused first on football.”
“We’re covering pretty much the whole community to have a chance of playing football.”
He explained that the club has increasingly focused on developing its own players rather than relying on constantly bringing in new faces.
“The last few years we’ve tried to create a pathway for the kids who’ve played for the club to come through into the men’s setup.Once you stop the academy stuff, where they drop all the kids, they all start coming back to you.”
However, facilities remain a significant obstacle.
Coedpoeth currently operate across several different pitches, with the first team regularly playing outside the village because their home facilities do not meet the requirements for Tier Four football.
The ultimate ambition is to bring the first team back into the village and provide the facilities needed to support their continued development.
“We have to play outside of the village with the first team most of the time because the pitch facilities don’t meet the criteria to play in Tier 4 even.We’ve been going at it for about 12 or 13 years now, so it’s been hard work, a lot of disappointments.”
Looking further ahead, Hughes believes the club’s ambitions could coincide with a particularly special anniversary.
“Tier 3 is our immediate aim, If we could get Tier 3 status in the 150th year, that would be unbelievable.”
Mark Hughes admits Welsh Cup victory over Trefelin would be a dream come true
For Hughes, the possibility of defeating a Cymru Premier side is difficult to put into words.
The chairman remembers the club’s previous appearance in the last 32 during the 2009/10 season, when they reached the same stage of the competition.
Now, more than a decade later, Coedpoeth have another opportunity to make history.
Hughes acknowledged the significant difference between the two sides, particularly when it comes to the facilities, training schedules and experience available to top-flight clubs.
But he believes his young and talented squad has every reason to be optimistic.
“Oh, that’s like a dream, isn’t it?” he said when asked what an upset would mean personally.
“It would be unbelievable if we could get some sort of result out of it. Couldn’t even describe it at the moment. We’re lost for words.”
Beyond the immediate excitement, Hughes believes progressing further could have a major impact on the club’s long-term future.
More exposure could attract additional volunteers, sponsorship opportunities and interest from within the local community.
He also believes the club’s stability provides a strong foundation for future growth. Coedpoeth have ambitions to establish themselves in Tier Three in the short term before eventually looking towards the higher levels of Welsh football.
For Pawley, Hughes and everyone involved, the Welsh Cup represents an opportunity to demonstrate just how far the club can go.
While the manager is reluctant to get carried away with talk of dreams, he insists there is genuine belief within the dressing room.
“We have to believe we can do it,” Pawley said.
For a club that has spent years building towards this moment, Saturday’s trip to Trefelin could become another defining chapter in Coedpoeth United’s story.
