MAESYRHANDIR bid to write a new chapter in the club’s short history this weekend.

The Newtown club travel to Bishops Castle Town in the semi-finals of the Tanners Town Cup with manager Gary Jones backing his side to stage an upset.

The Shropshire hosts go into the tie as favourites but Jones insisted his charges were ready to complete a shock.

Jones urged his players to seize the moment with the J T Hughes Montgomeryshire League Honda Division One side looking to lift their first ever silverware.

Three seasons ago the now defunct Newtown Rovers won the Tanners Town Cup and Jones hoped his side could become the first Newtown club to lift the cup since.

“It’s the biggest game in my time at the club,” said Jones. “We played very well last weekend against Guilsfield Reserves so hopefully we can continue that into this game.”

Maesyrhandir have strengthened with the arrival of teenage defender Phil Jones from Huws Gray Alliance side Caersws who made his debut last week.

“We’ve got the strongest squad we’ve had this season after signing Phil Jones from Caersws too. We’re without Drew Hughes which is a miss but otherwise I expect everyone else to be available.”

Jones accepted the Shropshire hosts would be favourites to progress but insisted his side capable of progressing

“We were unlucky not to come away with something at Castle earlier in the season and I see no reason why we cannot go there and get a result on Saturday.

“We will need to compete for 90 minutes but we have a good squad at ‘Rhandir this season and everyone wants to experience a good cup run.”