FAW confirms restart of second-tier Welsh leagues and Nathaniel MG Cup
- Published
Connah's Quay players celebrate their win over STM Sports in the 2020 Nathaniel MG Cup final
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has confirmed the restarts of three competitions which had been on hold because of coronavirus restrictions.
The second-tier Cymru North and Cymru South are both set to return in January in a shortened, 15-match format.
The Nathaniel MG Cup - for teams from the second tier and top-tier Cymru Premier - will return this month.
Cardiff City and Newport County have been confirmed as the cup's two wildcard entries.
The first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup will be drawn on Wednesday, 2 December, involving 26 tier-two clubs, with six sides receiving byes to the second round alongside the 12 Cymru Premier teams. The first round is scheduled to take place on 11/12 December.
Talks are ongoing regarding the Welsh Cup, which traditionally involves club from as low as the fifth tier.
It follows the decision by Sport Wales to grant Welsh Government 'elite status' to second-tier clubs.
The Cymru Premier restarted in October but second-tier clubs had been waiting on approval to return to fixtures.
The return of tier three will depend on a review of procedures after the Cymru North and South leagues kick off, which will see sides in the two 16-team divisions play each other only once in this campaign. Clubs scheduled to play eight home games will be determined by a random draw.
The decision on the formats was made by the FAW's national league board following a meeting on Monday.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round One
Northern Section
Holyhead Hotspur v Llandudno
Buckley Town v Colwyn Bay
Bangor City v Gresford Athletic
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant v Llangefni Town
Holywell Town v Llanidloes Town
Conwy Borough v Ruthin Town.
Southern Section
Newport County v Undy Athletic
Goytre United v Penrhyncoch
Pontypridd Town v Cwmbrān Celtic
Ammanford v Trefelin BGC
Risca United v Afan Lido
Cardiff City v Taffs Well
Port Talbot Town v Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC
Llanelli Town v Llantwit Major.