IT'S JD Welsh Cup weekend which means the hopes and dreams of clubs across mid Wales will either be fuelled or dashed.

A host of mouthwatering first round ties will take place on Saturday with the County Times previewing the most outstanding.

Abermule host Hawarden Rangers with the villagers expecting a tough afternoon.

Spokesman Bryan Jarman said: "This will be the first meeting between Hawarden Rangers and ourselves so we are very much looking forward welcoming them to Abermule this Saturday.

"It will be great to be part of the JD Welsh Cup beyond the preliminary rounds and to fly the flag as one of only three CWFA clubs from tier four to have made it through this far.

"We take confidence that we have already beaten a tier three team to get to this stage but we are under no illusions that we must be at our best to be in the hat come Saturday evening."

Meanwhile Llanfair United host Ardal North East League side Llanuwchllyn.

Manager Lawrence Wilson said: "We are looking forward to the game the weekend. I expect a tight encounter between both teams as each team has been in good form. We will be wanting our name in the hat come Monday so will do everything possible for that to happen."

Llandrindod Wells travel to Trefelin bidding to cause an upset.

A club spokesman said: "It’s always exciting to be involved at this stage of the country’s premier cup competition. It gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against higher opposition and has provided us with some memorable games in recent history.

"2013/14 saw us beat Caerau Ely and eventually knocked out by Holywell Town in the third round. 2019/20 saw us beat last seasons Ardal Southern League champions Llantwit Major away before a narrow loss to Pontypridd Town in the second round.

"We expect a really tough tie against Trefelin BGC who play in the league above us but are hoping to call on our experiences in recent seasons to cause an upset."

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Meanwhile Penrhyncoch go head to head with Caersws at Cae Baker.

Penrhyn manager Gari Lewis expected a tough game against the Bluebirds.

He said: "It's a real 50 /50 game and I don't think there will be be much in it. We still have six players out but still have a strong matchday squad to compete.

"I don't know a great deal about Caersws but any team with Neil Mitchell in it is a threat and we will need to be good to get through."

Machynlleth will bid to complete an upset at home to Prestatyn Town.

A club spokesman said: "The club are looking forward to what is one of the biggest games for years as we host a tier two and ex-Welsh Premier League side. It will be a real tough test for the lads but one we will look forward to as we look to make a cup upset."

Penparcau shared similar sentiments ahead of the visit of Rhyl 1879.

A club spokesman said: "It will be a big day for the club. It is our biggest game in the last decade and expecting a tough game.

"We have all our players back and our strongest squad all available, so on our day we are more than capable of getting a result and we are looking forward to it."

Elsewhere Llanidloes Town host Gresford Athletic in an all JD Cymru North clash.

Manager Chris Davies said: "We’re looking forward to getting back playing after there was a blanket postponement of fixtures last weekend.

"The Welsh Cup is the biggest cup competition in Wales so for us it’s one we’ll be hoping we can put together a good run in and see what happens.

"That all starts tomorrow and although it’s nice to have a home draw we face a tough test against Gresford. We know we’ll have to be right at it if we want to put ourselves in the hat.

"We’ve got a strong squad available and we’ve been on a good run of late, losing only one in the last five, so we’re hoping that good form continues and for us to progress to the second round."