Premier Cup kicks-off!

Premier Cup
By Chris O'Brien
September 11 2002

The FAW Premier Cup has kicked off, with Caersws entertaining Cwmbran Town in Group A. The Bluebirds don't enter this competition until the quarter final stage, but these games affect who the Bluebirds meet in the latter stages.

The 2002/2003 FAW Premier Cup has got under way, with Caersws (also nicknamed the Bluebirds!) entertaining Cwmbran Town.

Cardiff City don't enter this competition until the Quarter-final stage, but these games will determin who they will be facing from the quarter finals.

Match Report:
After last year’s run to the quarter finals, Caersws started the 2002/2003 competition with high hopes, but Cwmbran Town certainly proved they were misplaced, after a battling performance saw the visitors come from behind twice to win. Cwmbran, one of the competition’s major underachievers since the start of the Premier Cup, begin very well and looked the more likely to score first with Nathan Wigg prominent. However, with their first real attack, the Bluebirds took the lead as Graham Evans reacted first, when Sean Jehu shot against the bar in the 12th minute from the edge of the area. Both teams had chances, with Sillitoe making a marvellous point blank save from Jeff Aspell in the 18th minute, before Anthony Wright equalised 5 mins before half time, when the home team failed to clear their lines, and Wright slide home Wigg’s deflected shot. The home team then “laid siege” to the visitors goal for the rest of the half forcing two clearances off the line before the 45 mins was up. In the 53rd minute Evans restored the home team’s lead, but just 8 mins later, Chris Summers forced home from close range after good work by the ex-Swansea League player, Jeff Aspell. Both teams had chances as the game swung from end to end, but the visitors finished stronger, with Anthony Wright completing a hat-trick, with goals in the 83rd and 89th minute to gain 3 valuable points. The home team were left to rue their missed chances, and wonder when their poor start to the season would end, while Cwmbran travelled back down through Mid Wales and the A470 well pleased.

CAERSWS 2-4 CWMBRAN TOWN

The next Premier Cup game is on September 24th as Connah's Quay Nomads entertain Dr.Martins Premier Division side, Newport County.

Cardiff are the current holders of this competition.