Carmarthen Town v Aberystwyth Town : JD Welsh Cup Quarter Final Preview

JD Welsh Cup – Quarter Final
Tuesday 6th March (8p.m Kick Off)
Carmarthen Town v Aberystwyth Town
 
Aberystwyth Town will look to advance to their first Welsh Cup semi-final in four years, as they face Carmarthen Town for the second time in nine days at Richmond Park on Tuesday evening. Aber battled to a hard-earned point in their JD Welsh Premier League game against the Old Gold last Sunday, despite shipping two late goals to Neil Smothers’ side, and will now look to go one better as they eye a place in the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals.
 
Aber manager Nev Powell has a fantastic Welsh Cup record, and will be looking to reach his sixth semi-final in nine seasons as a manager in the competition. Powell, who won the trophy as manager of Bangor City in three consecutive seasons between 2008 and 2010, has only failed to make the quarter final stage of the competition three times in ten years as a Welsh Premier League manager; an astounding record when considering the standard of competition for the trophy each season. Indeed, he recently admitted himself that he has a certain romance with the competition after his side’s brilliant victory away at Cardiff Met in the 4th round back in January. In an interview after that game, Powell commented “I just love the Welsh Cup, and I remember going 28 games undefeated in the competition as manager of Bangor, so I don’t see why we can’t go all the way with Aber”.  Supporters of the black and greens can only hope that the manager sprinkles some of his Welsh Cup magic on Richmond Park Tuesday night as his side look to book their place in the last four of the competition.
 
Aber will be hopeful that striker Craig Hobson has recovered from illness in time for Tuesday’s game, after missing last weekend’s league clash at Richmond Park. The side will also be boosted by the fact that both Chris Mullock and Declan Walker made Sgorio’s “5 yr wythnos” after their standout performances last week, and by the inclusion of front man John Owen in Wales’ C Team squad to face England in an international match on March 20th at Barry’s Jenner Park.
 
Tuesday’s hosts Carmarthen will also be instilled with confidence after their late comeback stunned Nev Powell’s side to earn a draw in last Sunday’s league clash between the sides. However, manager Neil Smothers won’t have the luxury of being able to pick former seasiders Mark Jones and Luke Bowen due to the pair being cup-tied in the competition, which is undoubtedly a blow for the hosts.
 
In what is sure to be another humdinger of a game between the two sides, kick off at Richmond Park on Tuesday is at 8 p.m. Don’t let the big freeze put you off what is sure to be a fiery affair in the West Wales derby! 
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