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
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • 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

  • The pedigree cows of Gelliargwellt Uchaf Farm
    Moo-vellous: Dairy farm recognised for top-quality Holstein herdTuesday, October 28, 2025
  • A Welsh Water van
    Welsh Water fine cut from £1.35m to £120,000 after appealTuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Face mask stock image
    Health board lifts face mask requirements in hospitalsTuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Artist impression of proposed improvements to Dafydd Williams Park, Caerphilly
    Hopes revamp will make park ‘feel more connected’ to rest of townTuesday, October 28, 2025
  • Coronavirus vaccine
    Public Health Wales urges people to have flu jab ‘as soon as possible’ as cases riseTuesday, October 28, 2025
  • New rules could allow council candidates to spend more money on securityTuesday, October 28, 2025

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

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Ffos CaerffiliThursday, October 23, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateWednesday, October 22, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 16, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 2, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.