Bala Town turn their attention to cup action as we welcome Cefn Albion to Maes Tegid in the Second Round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.
The fixture marks a return to a competition which holds plenty of history for the Lakesiders, with Bala having not competed regularly in the competition for a number of years.
Bala are four-time winners of the NEWFA Challenge Cup, first lifting the trophy in 1971/72 before enjoying a particularly successful period under former manager Colin Caton.
Town lifted the trophy in 2003/04 following an extra-time victory over Buckley Town before winning it again in 2006/07, defeating Gresford Athletic in the final at the Racecourse Ground.
The Lakesiders successfully defended the trophy the following season, beating Queen’s Park 2-1 at the Racecourse in 2007/08 to make it back-to-back NEWFA Cup triumphs.
Now, almost two decades on from that last success, Bala begin another NEWFA Challenge Cup campaign.
The opposition
Standing in our way in Round Two are Cefn Albion, who make the journey to Maes Tegid looking to cause an upset.
Albion currently compete at Tier 3 of the Welsh football pyramid.
Cup football has a habit of producing surprises and Bala will know that league status counts for very little once the whistle blows.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the Lakesiders will be determined to make home advantage count and begin their return to the competition with a victory.
A Competition with history
The NEWFA Challenge Cup dates back to 1969 and has been won by some of the biggest and most historic clubs across North East Wales.
Bala sit joint among the competition’s most successful clubs with four victories, and our return gives the current squad an opportunity to add another chapter to that history.
After many seasons away from regular involvement in the competition, it will be great to see NEWFA Challenge Cup football back at Maes Tegid.
Come along and get behind the Lakesiders as our NEWFA Cup journey begins!
