Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Trethomas Bluebirds draw defending champions TNS in Welsh Cup third round

News, Sport | Tom Hicks | Published: 12:57, Thursday October 19th, 2023.
Last updated: 18:12, Friday October 20th, 2023

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

The pair will clash on Saturday November 11
The pair will clash on Saturday November 11

Trethomas Bluebirds will travel to defending Welsh Cup champions, The New Saints (TNS), in what will be another historic game for the club.

Both sides are undefeated this season, and may still be when they battle it out in the third oldest domestic cup competition in the world this November.

TNS are based in Oswestry, England, and are widely considered to have the best side in the Welsh league pyramid, having won the Cymru Premier in ten of the last 12 seasons.

The club are a fully professional outfit, and will be keen to impose their quality over the Bluebirds, as they look to lift the Welsh Cup for a tenth time.

Two divisions below them sit Trethomas Bluebirds in the Ardal South East, who by their own admission have had a remarkable couple of seasons for a club their size.

The Bluebirds’ list of recent scalps began in 2022, when they lifted the Ardal South Cup with a 1-0 win over Cardiff Draconians in the final.

Fast-forward a season, and the club landed one of its biggest-ever wins with a last minute, 2-1 victory over top division side Haverfordwest in the Welsh Cup.

Trethomas lost in the next round, however that allowed them to turn their attention to the FAW Amateur Trophy, in which they met Denbigh Town in the final of a competition that started with 250 teams.

The Bluebirds went on to win that final 2-1, and lifted the second biggest cup trophy in Wales, second to the Welsh Cup.

Trethomas Bluebirds crowned cup champions

Having secured their spot in the third round with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Penrhiwceiber Rangers, manager Mark Dunford spoke to Caerphilly Observer about the moment his team found out they’d drawn TNS.

He said: “Me and the players were sat together in Ystrad to watch the draw. There was an initial feeling of shock, but then delight from the boys. It’s the fixture of the round.

“They’re the best domestic team in Wales without a doubt and the day is going to be great for boys, but also the management, the fans, and of course the club as a whole. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Asked how his side will look to tackle the fixture, Dunford said: “We’ll obviously need to plan well, but we know we can pose a threat.

“Winning the game is a massive ask and we’ll need a few things to go our way, but we’re not going up there to just enjoy it.

“The whole thing is a testimony to the club and how far we’ve come. It’s sure to be a great occasion.”

The game is set to be played on Saturday November 11 at Park Hall Stadium, Oswestry. The time of kick-off is yet to be announced.


Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

TNS/Trethomas Bluebirds

Latest News

  • Richard Haynes has been jailed
    Dealer caught with £2k worth of drugs in car while banned from drivingTuesday, September 23, 2025
  • Senedd stock image
    Senedd Members’ pay set to rise as lowest-paid staff face cutsTuesday, September 23, 2025
  • Staff suspended at care home after concerns about resident’s care raisedTuesday, September 23, 2025
  • NHS dental fees are set to increase in Wales
    Welsh Government drops plan for patients to be seen by different dentists under NHS reformsTuesday, September 23, 2025
  • Education
    Welsh Government ‘lacks urgency’ amid ‘crisis’ for vulnerable childrenTuesday, September 23, 2025
  • A new health board initiative is changing the way menopause care is delivered in GP surgeries across Gwent. The Menopause Champions Project, introduced in June this year by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, aims to give patients going through menopause better access to informed and consistent support from their local practice teams. The scheme was developed by Dr Jayne Forrester-Paton, a menopause and sexual and reproductive health specialist, alongside Dr Michelle Olver, clinical lead of the menopause team, and nurse consultant Nikki Noble. Together, they set out to equip GPs and practice nurses with up-to-date knowledge and practical tools to improve care. So far, 41 GP practices in the region now have a trained “Menopause Champion” — a clinician who can provide advice and guidance on both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options. These champions are backed by a network of colleagues and specialists to help them stay confident in managing more complex cases. Dr Forrester-Paton said the project had already made a strong start and would continue to grow: “We are proud of how successful this project has been so far and will continue to grow, with plans to expand educational sessions for clinicians, offer virtual case discussions to improve care for complex menopause cases and strengthen the collaboration between primary care and specialist menopause services. “The Menopause Champions Project is helping to ensure that menopause is treated with the same care and attention as any other health issue, giving patients the support they need, when they need it.”
    Project aiming to improve menopause support in GP surgeriesTuesday, September 23, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 18, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 4, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: St Cenydd Road, TrecenyddTuesday, September 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Heol Aneurin, PenyrheolTuesday, September 2, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.