“Our trophy to defend”: Trethomas Bluebirds look to retain cup ahead of last 16 clash

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FAW Amateur Trophy holders Trethomas Bluebirds are one win away from the final eight of the competition, as they’re set to host league opponents Lliswerry on Friday January 19.

Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford is thankful his side have a home draw, following some “tough away trips”. However, he’s expecting another tough match Friday evening against a league opponent who has won nine of their last 13 games.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer ahead of the fixture, Dunford said: “Being drawn against a team in our league is great as we know a lot about them, but, it means they also know about us.

“We’ve had some good recent results against them, but we did draw against them last season and they’re a dangerous side with dangerous players.”

The Bluebirds have a superb record against the Newport-based side, having won 6-0 and 11-0 in their last two meetings.

Trethomas are currently top of the Ardal South East by four points, with games in hand over rivals Risca United and Newport City. However, Dunford explained how he’ll be treating this cup match as a “priority”.

“We’re only in two competitions now so we’re definitely taking this one seriously. Once you get to the last 32 or 16 of these tournaments, you have to believe you can win them.

“It’s our trophy to defend and we’d love to get our hands on it again.”

Dunford said he will be without midfielder Liam Fawcett on Friday night, and that a couple of others are “touch and go”.

Asked about the fear of missing too many league games, Dunford added: “We’re obviously keen to get points on the board as all clubs are, but we’re not at crisis point yet where we’d be playing multiple matches a week.”

The game is due to kick-off at 7.45pm at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.