Tiger Bay Face Bluebirds In Welsh Youth Cup

Welsh Youth Cup holders Swansea City.

Tiger Bay Face Bluebirds In Welsh Youth Cup

Tiger Bay Juniors have been drawn against Craig Bellamy’s Cardiff City in the Welsh Youth Cup second round.

The Bluebirds’ youth team is coached by Bellamy and they entertain grassroots club Tiger Bay over the weekend of Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4.

That is a dream tie for Tiger Bay, who tweeted after their 4-0 win at Aber Valley: “A superb masterclass footballing performance. 

“The boys dominated the game and had the discipline to see it out.  Hunger, passion and desire.”

Butetown-based Tiger Bay face a Cardiff team who finished runners-up in this competition last season.

Gwent County League Ynysddu were entered into the Welsh Youth Cup by mistake, but they made the most of their opportunity.

They didn’t have a youth team, but instead of complaining Ynysddu quickly recruited young players around the area – and won their opening tie!

They earned an incredible cup victory six days after their first training session and having never played an official game together.

Welfare defeated Briton Ferry after a penalty shoot-out and club secretary Ben Murphy said the victory was ‘unbelievable’.

The newly-signed Ynysddu players, aged between 16 and 18, formed their team and fought out a 2-2 draw at Ferry before winning 7-6 on penalties. The hosts included six former Swansea City Academy players, but they could not dampen Ynysddu’s spirit.

An administration mix-up between the club and cup organisers, the Football Association of Wales, meant Welfare were entered into the competition.

They turned to social media to appeal for players and they were inundated with responses from as far as Essex and Northern Ireland.

They settled on 21 players from the local area and will train twice a week in the run up to their next cup match, against Llanelli Town away, in November.

“I’m lost for words,” said Ynysddu manager Ben Murphy after their cup win.

“When Ferry equalised in extra time I thought that would be the end of it, but we dug in.

“I don’t know how we found that energy in the last 30 minutes.

“The players worked their socks off and to win it on penalties was remarkable. I don’t think my heart could take another one of those.”

Ynysddu were supported by a large group of fans at Briton Ferry, including most of the club’s first team who cheered them on from the sidelines with beers in hand.

Goals from Billy Evans (penalty) and Kean Davies hauled Ynysddu from 1-0 down into a 2-1 lead before the home team levelled the scores to force a decision on penalties.

Ynysddu Welfare go to Steboneath Park, home of Welsh Premier League Llanelli, on Sunday, November 4 and they followed by more than 100 supporters.

Llanelli Town’s Stebonheath ground.

The Gwent club’s youth team folded two years ago due to a lack of numbers, but there is now real hope this new squad will stay together.

They have had backing from sponsors for kit, polo shirts and team wear for players and Murphy says: “The feelgood factor is back.”

Dan Thomas, who scored the winning shoot-out penalty, and Evans, who levelled from the spot in normal time, were even interviewed on Sky Sports News after the game.

The draw for the Welsh Youth Cup second round was made at the FAW Offices in Cardiff.

Merthyr Town will play Barry Town United at the MetCoaches Stadium, while Taffs Well, who won 3-2 at ASfab Lido in their first round tie, travel to Haverfordwest County.

In the northern section, four of the ties are all-Welsh Premier Development League clashes, including a match between northern section leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bangor City.

There is also a local derby for two of the lowest ranked sides left with Coedpoeth United drawn at home against Brickfield Rangers.

Welsh Youth Cup full second round draw:

North:

Caernarfon Town v Cefn Druids

Llandudno v Penycae

Mold Alexandra v Newtown

Coedpoeth United v Brickfield Rangers

Airbus UK Broughton v Aberystwyth Town

Bangor City v Connahs Quay Nomads

Flint Town United v The New Saints

South:

Port Talbot Town v Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff City v Tiger Bay Juniors

Aberbargoed Buds v Pontardawe Town

Merthyr Town v Barry Town United

Haverfordwest County v Taffs Well

Carmarthen Town v Risca United

Llanelli Town v Ynysddu Welfare

Newport County v Trefelin BGC

Ties to be played on Sunday, November 4

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