jd welsh cup semi finals rownd...

JD WELSH CUP SEMI FINALS ROWND GYNDERFYNOL JD CWPAN CYMRU

CAERNARFON TOWN v BALA TOWN CORBETT SPORTS STADIUM, RHYL01.04.2017 KO 17:15

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I wish you all a very warm welcome to the Corbett Sports Stadium, the home of Rhyl FC, for this exciting JD Welsh Cup Semi-Final between Caernarfon Town and Bala Town.

It’s fantastic to see so many of you here supporting your clubs and it should make for a very entertaining encounter, particularly with the game being shown live on S4C’s Sgorio.

I would like to wish the Canaries and the Lakesiders the very best this afternoon in their quest to reach the JD Welsh Cup Final.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the competition’s sponsors, JD Sports, who have continued their association with the competition for the second successive season. We are tremendously grateful to them for showing their support for this wonderful domestic competition.

Finally, I would like to thank Rhyl FC for hosting today’s match and assisting the FAW in arranging a fantastic event.

Rwyf yn dymuno croeso cynnes iawn i bawb i Stadiwm Chwaraeon Corbett, cartref Clwb Pêl-droed y Rhyl, ar gyfer gêm gynderfynol gyffrous Cwpan JD Cymru rhwng Caernarfon a Bala.

Mae'n wych gweld cymaint ohonoch yma yn cefnogi eich clybiau a dylai fod yn brynhawn difyr iawn, yn enwedig gyda’r gêm yn cael ei darlledu’n fyw ar Sgorio S4C.

Hoffwn ddymuno’r gorau i CPD Caernarfon a CPD Y Bala’r prynhawn yma yn eu hymgais i gyrraedd Rownd Derfynol Cwpan JD Cymru.

Gaf i hefyd gymryd y cyfle yma i ddiolch i noddwyr y gystadleuaeth, JD Sports, sydd wedi parhau eu cysylltiad â'r cwpan am yr ail dymor yn olynol. Rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar iddynt am ddangos eu cefnogaeth i’r gystadleuaeth ddomestig wych yma.

Yn olaf, hoffwn ddiolch i CPD Rhyl am gynnal y gêm heddiw a chynorthwyo CBDC i drefnu digwyddiad penigamp.

DAVID GRIFFITHS PRESIDENT, FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES LLYWYDD, CYMDEITHAS BÊL DROED CYMRU

WELCOME CROESO

All player and club history details has been submitted by the relevant club. www.faw.cymru 3

FA WALES HEAD OF COMPETITIONS

Once again, this season’s JD Welsh Cup has captured the imagination and dreams of players, fans and communities.

Over recent years all of us at the FAW have been focused on raising the profile of the competition and progress has certainly been made.

This season we have seen a huge level of interest, in all the rounds, on social and digital media from supporters and players across the country. Coupled with this, there has been a significant contribution from clubs, sponsors and broadcasters which has acted as a catalyst for the competition’s evolution.

We are proud of the progress made, but also both realistic and ambitious to know that there is still much to do to continue to develop this competition and its brand throughout Wales and beyond.

Here are some of the key statistics that shows the growth in the competition since the 2009/10 season:

• The launch of the first official Welsh Cup competition logo

• JD Sports sponsorship deal representing a six-figure sum over five years until 2020

• Increases in the number of live televised matches per season on S4C from 2 to 5

• Club entries to the competition up by nearly a fifth

• Increase of more than a third in clubs’ prize money to £48,000

Good luck to the four clubs involved today and a sincere thank you to the many stakeholders who have contributed to raising the profile of this wonderful competition.

ANDREW HOWARD PENNAETH CYSTADLAETHAU, CBD CYMRU

Unwaith eto, mae Cwpan JD Cymru’r tymor hwn wedi dal dychymyg a breuddwydion chwaraewyr, cefnogwyr a chymunedaus.

Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf mae pob un ohonom yn CBDC wedi canolbwyntio ar godi proffil y gystadleuaeth ac yn sicr mae cynnydd wedi’i wneud.

Y tymor hwn rydym wedi gweld lefel uchel o ddiddordeb ymhob cymal, ar gyfryngau digidol a chymdeithasol gan gefnogwyr a chwaraewyr ar draws y wlad. Law yn llaw â hyn, mae cyfraniad sylweddol gan glybiau, noddwyr a darlledwyr wedi gweithredu fel catalydd ar gyfer esblygiad y gystadleuaeth

Rydym yn falch o’r cynnydd sydd wedi’i wneud ond hefyd yn realistig ac uchelgeisiol i sylweddoli fod llawer mwy i’w wneud i barhau i ddatblygu’r gystadleuaeth a’r brand ledled Cymru a thu hwnt

Dyma rai ystadegau allweddol sy'n dangos twf y gystadleuaeth ers tymor 2009/10:

• Lansiad logo swyddogol cyntaf cystadleuaeth Cwpan Cymru

• Cytundeb nawdd JD Sports yn cynrychioli swm chwe ffigwr dros bum mlynedd hyd at 2020

• Cynnydd yn y nifer o gemau teledu byw bob tymor ar S4C o 2 i 5

• Nifer y clybiau’n ymgeisio yn y gystadleuaeth i fyny bron 20%

• Cynnydd o fwy na thraean mewn arian gwobr clybiau i £ 48,000

Pob lwc i'r pedwar clwb dan sylw heddiw a diolch o galon i chi a’r nifer o randdeiliaid sydd wedi cyfrannu at godi proffil y gystadleuaeth g hon.

ANDREW HOWARD

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A fantastically successful debut season with the Canaries in 2015/16 was very well received by all at The Oval as Iwan Williams led Caernarfon Town to the Huws Gray Alliance title and League Cup.

A haul of two major trophies and numerous plaudits won in your first campaign, as a young highly qualified manager would please most, but not Williams. When he spoke to faw.cymru earlier this season, he admitted the fact that his side hadn’t progressed as far as he’d have liked in the JD Welsh Cup was very much a sore spot.

“[The JD Welsh Cup] means a great deal to me personally. As a player, I loved playing in the competition, and after our performances in theWord.Cup and against WPL sides in pre-season, it is a competition I thought we could do well in.

Going away to Goytre and losing 4-2 was a bitter pill to swallow, given that we had a good chance to score within the first 10 seconds that we didn’t put away – had that gone in, I think we would have gone on to win the game – so that’s another reason I want to do well this time.

We need to make up for last year, and I want us to test ourselves again against the quality of the sides in the Welsh Premier League, so if we can progress and get to the latter stages of the competition then both of those things will happen.”

They certainly have happened, as Williams’ men have performed wonderfully throughout this year’s competition, knocking out two Dafabet WPL teams and drubbing two Huws Gray Alliance sides to reach this point where they’re facing Colin

Caton’s charges at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium a semi-final clash that being televised across the UK.

With the three best-ranked clubs in Wales’ footballing pyramid joining the Cofis at this stage of the competition, Williams’ men are in esteemed company but this is exactly where he wanted his side to be this season, competing against the best in Wales’ most prestigious cup competition.

Facing the Lakesiders is a fitting challenge for Williams and the club too, as Bala’s journey from the Huws Gray Alliance to the Dafabet Welsh Premier League – and all of the success that has come along the way both domestically and in Europe – is exactly what the 31-year-old manager wants his side to achieve in the long term, so this will be a brilliant experience for the Cofis in that regard too.

Neither side in this tie has ever reached The JD Welsh Cup Final, however this will be Caernarfon’s fourth semi-final appearance after reaching the same stage of the competition in 1900, 1902 and 1988.

With the run the Canaries have been on so far in the tournament, having dumped two Dafabet Welsh Premier League sides out of the competition already and with the fabled magic of the cup on their side, today maybe the day when they reach their first ever JD Welsh Cup Final?

CAERNARFON RARING TO GO AS CUP DREAM CONTINUESBY JAMIE THOMAS

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Roedd yna groeso mawr gan bawb yn yr Oval i dymor cyntaf aruthrol gyda’r Cofis yn 2015/2016 wrth i Iwan Williams arwain Caernarfon i frig Cynghrair Huws Gray a Chwpan y Gynghrair.

Byddai ennill dau dlws mawr ac ennill canmoliaeth yn eich ymgyrch cyntaf fel rheolwr ifanc hynod gymwys yn plesio’r rhan fwyaf, ond nid Williams. Wrth siarad â faw.cymru yn gynharach y tymor yma, fe wnaeth gyfaddef fod y ffaith nad oedd ei dîm wedi symud ymlaen cyn belled ag yr oedd wedi gobeithio yng Nghwpan JD Cymru yn dal i frifo.

"Mae [Cwpan JD Cymru] yn golygu llawer iawn i mi yn bersonol. Fel chwaraewr, roeddwn i wrth fy modd yn chwarae yn y gystadleuaeth ac ar ôl ein perfformiadau yn theWord.Cup ac yn erbyn timau UGC yn y gemau cyn-dymor, roeddwn i’n credu fod gennym ni siawns o wneud yn dda yn y gystadleuaeth.

Roedd colli oddi cartref o 4-2 yn Goetre yn anodd i'w dderbyn o ystyried ein bod wedi methu siawns da i sgorio o fewn 10 eiliad cyntaf y gêm – petai’r bêl wedi mynd i gefn y rhwyd, dwi’n credu y byddem wedi mynd ymlaen i ennill y gêm – felly dyna reswm arall pam dwi eisiau gwneud yn dda’r tro hyn.

Mae angen i ni wneud yn iawn am y llynedd, a dwi eisiau i ni brofi’n hunain eto yn erbyn timau o ansawdd yn Uwch Gynghrair Cymru, felly os allwn ni symud ymlaen a chyrraedd rowndiau olaf y gystadleuaeth bydd y ddau beth yma’n digwydd.”

Mae hynny’n sicr wedi digwydd, wedi i ddynion Williams berfformio’n rhyfeddol trwy gydol y gystadleuaeth eleni a chnocio

CAERNARFON YN YSU I FYND WRTH I FREUDDWYD Y GWPAN YN PARHAUGAN JAMIE THOMAS

allan dau dîm Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru a dau o Gynghrair Huws Gray i gyrraedd y rownd gynderfynol. Byddant yn wynebu dynion Colin Caton yn Stadiwm Belle Vue y Rhyl sy’n cael ei ddarlledu’n fyw ledled y DU.

Bydd wynebu’r Bala yn her addas i Williams a’r clwb, gan fod taith y Bala o Gynghrair Huws Gray i Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru – a’r holl lwyddiant sydd wedi dod ar hyd y ffordd yn ddomestig ac yn Ewrop - yn union yr hyn mae’r rheolwr 31 mlwydd oed eisiau ei dîm ei gyflawni yn y tymor hir, felly bydd hwn yn brofiad gwych i'r Cofis yn hynny o beth hefyd.

Nid yw naill ochr na'r llall erioed wedi cyrraedd Rownd Derfynol Cwpan JD Cymru ond dyma fydd pedwerydd ymddangosiad Caernarfon mewn rownd gynderfynol ar ôl cyrraedd yr un cymal o'r gystadleuaeth yn 1900, 1902 a 1988.

Gyda rhediad y Cofis yn y twrnamaint hyd yn hyn, ar ôl goresgyn dau dîm Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru yn y gystadleuaeth yn barod yn ogystal â hud chwedlonol y gwpan ar eu hochr, ai dyma’r dydd y bydd Caernarfon yn cyrraedd Rownd Derfynol Cwpan JD Cymru am y tro cyntaf?


Now firmly established as one of the leading clubs in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, Bala Town have thrived in recent seasons, defying the odds on what such a small village club can achieve.

BALA TOWNCONTINUE TO GROWBY MARK PITMAN

Emerging from the lower levels of the Welsh football pyramid under the guidance of manager Colin Caton, the club reached the domestic top-flight in 2009 as Cymru Alliance champions and have continued to grow on and off the field since that time.

The club qualified for the UEFA Europa League in 2013/14, famously claiming a 1-0 victory in their opening match against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn through an Ian Sheridan goal, and returned to the European stage in 2015/16 and 2016/17 to confirm themselves as regular continental competitors. However, silverware has so far escaped the club since their domestic elevation.

A former defender, Colin Caton took over the reigns at Bala Town in 2003 with the club competing in the local Wrexham area league and has been in charge of the Lakesiders for over 500 games since his arrival. His success has brought longevity to the role, and bringing JD Welsh Cup success to the club would mark another significant milestone in his managerial career.

Caton masterminded the play-off final victory in 2013 that ensured Bala Town would compete in Europe for the first time, and his tears at the final whistle were the result of reflecting on the journey that he had been on with this club. But while

some clubs have stagnated following such success, Bala Town and Caton have continued to push forward and improve. The summer signing of Chris Venables last year showed a different level of ambition, and these are exciting times at Maes Tegid.

But while the past offers an incredible insight into the rise of this family-orientated club, there are strong future ambitions to be realised, and the recent installation of a 3G playing surface at their Maes Tegid home is testament to the fact that there is much more to come from Bala Town in both the short and long-term.

Now a central hub within the humble local community, Bala Town are a club in a strong position to develop and grow their community links through the facilities that they can provide, and they have become one of the big success stories of the Dafabet Welsh Premier League.

Domestic and European success on the field will further boost their profile, but it is the success in equal measure off the field that really confirms how much of a solid model this club is to the rest of the league.

They may now be unrecognisable from their humble begins, but it is their history has formed the basis for what the club has become today.

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Bellach wedi’i sefydlu fel un o glybiau mwyaf blaenllaw Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru, mae’r Bala wedi ffynnu yn y tymhorau diwethaf, gan wthio’r ffiniau o'r hyn y gall clwb pentref mor fach ei gyflawni.

Y BALA’N PARHAU I DYFUGAN MARK PITMAN

Gan ddatblygu o lefelau isaf pyramid pêl-droed Cymru, o dan arweiniad y rheolwr Colin Caton, llwyddodd y Bala i gyrraedd Uwch Gynghrair Cymru yn 2009 ac mae pencampwyr Cymru Alliance wedi parhau i dyfu oddi ar ac ar y cae ers hynny.

Yn 2013/2014 fe wnaeth y clwb gymhwyso ar gyfer Cynghrair Europa UEFA, gan hawlio buddugoliaeth enwog o 1-0 yn eu gêm agoriadol yn erbyn tîm Levadia Tallinn o Estonia, diolch i gôl gan Ian Sheridan, cyn dychwelyd i lwyfan Ewrop yn 2015/2016 a 2016/2017 i sicrhau eu hunain fel cystadleuwyr rheolaidd ar y cyfandir.

Yn gyn amddiffynnwr, cymerodd Colin Caton yr awenau yn Y Bala yn 2003 tra’r oedd y clwb yn cystadlu yng nghynghrair lleol ardal Wrecsam ac erbyn hyn, mae wedi bod yn gyfrifol am dros 500 o gemau ers ymuno fel

rheolwr. Mae ei lwyddiant wedi gwneud y rôl yn un hirhoedlog a byddai sicrhau llwyddiant yng Nghwpan JD Cymru yn nodi carreg filltir bwysig arall yn ei yrfa reolaethol.

Caton oedd yr athrylith y tu ôl i fuddugoliaeth Y Bala yn rownd derfynol y gemau ail gyfle a fyddai’n sicrhau fod Bala’n cystadlu’n Ewrop am y tro cyntaf ac roedd y dagrau ar y chwiban olaf yn ganlyniad i fyfyrio am ei daith gyda’r clwb. Ond tra bod rhai clybiau wedi aros yn eu hunfan yn dilyn llwyddiant o’r fath, mae’r Bala a Caton wedi parhau i wthio ymlaen a gwella. Roedd arwyddo Chris Venables dros yr haf y llynedd yn dangos uchelgais o lefel wahanol ac mae’n gyfnod cyffrous ym Maes Tegid.

Ond tra bod y gorffennol yn cynnig cipolwg aruthrol i gynnydd y clwb teuluol yma, mae uchelgais cryf y Bala’n parhau ac mae

gosod cae 3G ym Maes Tegid yn ddiweddar yn dangos fod llawer mwy i ddod o CPD Y Bala yn y tymor byr ac yn yr hirdymor.

Bellach yn rhan ganolog o’r gymuned leol, mae CPD Y Bala mewn sefyllfa gref i ddatblygu a thyfu eu cysylltiadau cymunedol, diolch i’r cyfleusterau sydd ar gael yno. Mae’r clwb wedi datblygu i fod yn un o lwyddiannau mawr Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru.

Bydd llwyddiant ar y cae domestig ac yn Ewrop yn hybu eu proffil ymhellach ond eu llwyddiant cystal oddi ar y cae sydd wir yn sicrhau eu bod yn esiampl i weddill y gynghrair.

Efallai ei bod yn anodd eu hadnabod erbyn hyn o'u dyddiau cynnar ond mae eu hanes wedi gosod sail i lwyddiant y clwb heddiw.

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ROUND 1 30 September 2016 Conwy Borough 1-5 Caernarfon Town

ROUND 2 5 September 2016 Llangefni Town 4-4 Caernarfon Town (AET) (Caernarfon win 2-4 on penalties)

ROUND 3 3 December 2016 Newtown 0-3 The New Saints

Bala Town 6-1 Caldicot Town

Caernarfon Town 3-1 Carmarthen Town

ROUND 4 28 January 2017 Caernarfon Town 3-2 Rhyl (AET)

Haverfordwest County 1-5 Gap Connah’s Quay

The New Saints 7-0 Llanelli Town

Bala Town 4-1 Penybont (AET)

ROUND 5 25 February 2017 Prestatyn Town 2-2 Gap Connah’s Quay (AET) (Gap Connah’s Quay win 3-4 on penalties)

The New Saints 2-1 Bangor City (AET)

Llanfair United 0-7 Caernarfon Town

SEMI-FINALS 1 April 2017 Caernarfon Town v Bala Town at Corbett Sports Stadium, Rhyl KO 5.15pm

Gap Connah’s Quay v The New Saints at Bangor University Stadium, Bangor KO 2:30pm

JD WELSH CUP ROUTETOTHESEMI-FINALS


1. Ashley Morris2. Ryan Valentine3. Anthony Stephens4. Stuart J. Jones5. Stuart Jones6. Conall Murtagh7. Mark Connolly8. Mark Jones9. Mike Hayes10. Ian Sheridan11. Kieran Smith12. Ryan Goldston14. Ryan Wade15. Will Bell16. Joel Darlington17. Jordan Evans18. Lee Hunt20. Kenny Lunt21. Stephen Fisher25. Chris Venables26. John Irving27. David Thompson88. Nathan Burke

CAERNARFON TOWN

Referee: Nick Pratt Assistant Referee 1: John Bryant Assistant Referee 2: Dan Beckett 4th Official: Mark Petch

All player and club history details have been submitted by the relevant club.

First Team Manager: Colin CatonAssistant Manager: Connall Murtagh

1. Alex Ramsay2. Joe Williams3. Nathan Craig4. Cllive Williams5. Gareth Edwards6. Kevin Roberts7. Kevin Lloyd8. Danny Sullivan9. Jamie Breese10. Darren Thomas11. Danny Brookwell13. Keighan Jones14. Lee Fowler15. Aaron Davies-Thomas16. Carl Owen28. Chris Williams

BALA TOWN

First Team Manager: Iwan WilliamsAssistant Manager: Alun Winstanley


Joining the Dafabet Welsh Premier League’s top three teams in the JD Welsh Cup Semi-finals is Huws Gray Alliance League heavyweights Caernarfon Town, a talent-laden squad who have already made a habit of claiming WPL scalps in this year’s competition. They’re now looking to add another to the list as they take on Colin Caton’s Bala Town.

“I think we’ve got a squad that is capable of competing in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, and I think most teams in our league and in the league above would agree with that,” midfielder Nathan Craig told faw.cymru.

“At the same time the label of ‘underdogs’ has been given to us a couple of times during our cup run, and that’s helped us in a way because we’ve been able to go out there with no pressure, knowing how good we are and what we’re capable of and enjoying the occasion.

We’re going to do everything we can to try and win the game. Iwan (Williams) is a very professional manager and all of our training for a few weeks has been geared towards

CAERNARFON “DESPERATELY WANT TO REACH THE FINAL” BY JAMIE THOMAS

this semi-final, so we’re prepared for what is going to be a massive game. We’re not here to make the numbers up, we desperately want to reach the final, simple as that.”

Iwan Williams has had a whirlwind start to Iwan Williams has had a whirlwind start to his managerial career, winning two trophies last season for the Cofis and putting in numerous impressive performances throughout this season in both league and cup competitions too.

Nathan Craig, now back at his hometown club, has had vast experience of being coached at Everton and Wales’ youth teams in his career, gave a glowing appraisal of his manager’s talents.

"Iwan is a great manager and I think his strength is that he’s so new to it. He was playing not so long ago and he still has that player’s mentality so he likes the banter, has a lot of fun, makes sure everyone gets on with each other and so on, but also because it’s his first managerial job he’s set his standard very high.

His work is breath-taking really, the standards he sets. I was at Everton for seven years, played for Torquay, worked my way up the age groups with Wales and Iwan is definitely up there with the best managers I’ve worked with. He’s just superb, an absolutely brilliant coach, he just makes you want to work your hardest for him."

The Cofis have never made it to the final of this competition, being knocked out at this stage on three occasions previously. That’s why today it would mean so much to the 25-year-old Craig and his teammates, if they were to get past the Lakesiders and into the JD Welsh Cup Final?

“It’d mean the absolute world to me and all the boys to get to the final of this competition. Last season we suffered huge disappointment down at Goytre, missed huge chances early-on and went on to lose the game and get knocked out. So Iwan has drummed it into our heads since then how much we needed to do better this season and we’ve obviously achieved that because we’re in the semi-final. But now we need to do everything we can to get even further in the competition!”


Yn ymuno â thri o oreuon Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru yn rownd gynderfynol Cwpan JD Cymru mae un o fawrion Cynghrair Huws Gray CPD Caernarfon, carfan sy’n llawn talent sydd eisoes wedi arfer goresgyn timau UGC yn y gystadleuaeth eleni. Maen nhw’n gobeithio ychwanegu un arall i’r rhestr wrth iddyn nhw wynebu CPD Y Bala o dan reolaeth Colin Caton.

CAERNARFON “YN DAER EISIAU CYRRAEDD Y ROWND DERFYNOL” GAN JAMIE THOMAS

“Dwi’n credu fod ein carfan ni â’r gallu i gystadlu yn Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru a dwi’n credu y byddai’r rhan fwyaf o’r timau yn ein cynghrair ni a’r uwch gynghrair yn cytuno â hynny,” dywedodd chwaraewr canol cae Nathan Craig wrth faw.cymru.

“Ar yr un pryd mae’r label ‘underdogs’ wedi cael ei roi i ni cwpl o weithiau yn ystod y gystadleuaeth yma ac mae hynny wedi ein helpu ni mewn ffordd gan ein bod yn gallu mynd allan yno heb bwysau, gan wybod pa mor dda ydan ni a gallu mwynhau’r achlysur.

‘Da ni am wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i geisio ennill y gêm. Mae Iwan (Williams) yn rheolwr hynod broffesiynol ac mae’r holl hyfforddiant o’r wythnosau diwethaf wedi aei nelu tuag at y rownd gynderfynol yma, felly ‘da ni’n barod am beth fydd sicr yn gêm enfawr i ni. ‘Da ni ddim yma i wneud y rhifau i fyny, ‘da ni’n daer eisiau cyrraedd y rownd derfynol, mor syml â hynny.”

Dechreuodd Iwan Williams ei yrfa reolaethol fel corwynt, gan ennill dau dlws

y tymor diwethaf gyda’r Cofis yn ogystal â bod yn gyfrifol am nifer o berfformiadau trawiadol drwy’r tymor yn y gynghrair ac yn y gystadleuaeth gwpan.

Bellach yn ôl yng nghlwb ei dref enedigol ar ôl profiad helaeth o gael ei hyfforddi yn Everton ac yn nhimau ieuenctid Cymru yn ystod ei yrfa, rhoddodd Nathan Craig werthusiad disglair o ddoniau ei reolwr.

“Mae Iwan yn rheolwr gwych a dwi’n credu mai ei gryfder yw bod hyn i gyd mor newydd iddo. Roedd o dal yn chwarae rhai blynyddoedd yn ôl ac mae meddylfryd y chwaraewr dal yno o hyd felly mae’n hoffi tynnu coes, cael digon o hwyl a sicrhau fod pawb yn dod â’i gilydd. Serch hynny, gan mai dyma ei swydd reoli cyntaf, mae’n gosod safonau uchel iawn.

Mae ei waith yn eithaf syfrdanol mewn gwirionedd a’r safonau mae’n osod. Fe wnes i chwarae i Everton am saith blynedd, chwarae i Torquay, chwarae yn nhimau ieuenctid Cymru ac mae Iwan yn sicr ar yr un

lefel a’r rheolwyr gorau dwi wedi cael y fraint o weithio â nhw. Mae o’n hyfforddwr gwych, mae o’n gwneud i chi eisiau gweithio’ch gorau iddo."

Nid yw'r Cofis erioed wedi cyrraedd rownd derfynol y gystadleuaeth yma, ar ôl colli yn y rownd gynderfynol dair gwaith o’r blaen. Dyna pam y byddai heddiw’n golygu cymaint i Craig, sy’n 25 mlwydd oed a’i dîm, petae nhw’n gallu curo’r Bala i rownd derfynol Cwpan JD Cymru?

"Byddai’n golygu’r byd i fi a’r hogiau i gyrraedd rownd derfynol y gystadleuaeth. Y tymor diwethaf roedd colli i Goytre’n gymaint o siom, wedi colli cyfleoedd mawr yn fuan yn y gêm cyn colli a mynd allan o’r gystadleuaeth. Mae Iwan wedi pwysleisio ers hynny gymaint gwell sydd rhaid i ni fod y tymor yma a ‘da ni’n amlwg wedi llwyddo i wneud hynny gan ein bod yn y rownd gynderfynol. Rŵan mae rhaid i ni wneud popeth i allu mynd un cam ymhellach!"


VENABLES ON JD WELSH CUP SUCCESS & FAILUREBY MARK PITMAN

However, a switch to Bala Town last summer started a new chapter in the career of the 31-year old. “I've enjoyed my first season an awful lot,” explained Venables. “I've been made to feel very welcome by everybody at the club and I've relished having the chance to be a part of a great squad with a genuine real togetherness that you don't find that often in football.

“We had a slow start to the season which may have surprised a few people, but we then found our feet, and put together a great run. Our togetherness and determination to grind out results is there for all to see. I would love to make history by being in the Bala side that lifted the Welsh Cup for the first time in the club's history.”

But standing in the way of Venables getting his hands once again on the JD Welsh Cup are surprise Cymru Alliance package Caernarfon Town, who have already defeated the Dafabet Welsh Premier League pair of Carmarthen Town and Rhyl on their way to the semi-final stage.

“Caernarfon are going to be extremely tough opponents for us,” added Venables. “They have some great players in their squad, a lot of which have Welsh Premier

League experience, so we will be only too aware of what they are capable of. We know that we will have to be at our best if we want to be in the final.”

Venables has mixed JD Welsh Cup memories too having lifted the trophy with Llanelli in 2011, but suffered two final defeats while playing for Aberystwyth Town.

“I remember the 2011 Welsh Cup final as being my fondest memory in football to date,” he reflected on the 4-1 win over Bangor City at Parc-y-Scarlets. “On the day we really rose to the occasion and delivered exactly what we planned. It's not often that things go to plan in football, especially in cup football, but that day it did, and it made that game really enjoyable to play in.

“To do it again would be superb. By comparison, the 2014 Welsh Cup final defeat to TNS was probably the most disappointing moment in my career. We gave everything on the day to try and get a result, and after leading the game for so long, with a two goal margin, it was really difficult to take when we were beaten late on. But it provided great experience of playing in another final, and we qualified for the Europa league through reaching the final, so that was still a huge positive for us.”

Midfielder Chris Venables has made headlines across Europe in recent seasons with his incredible goal return for Aberystwyth Town earning the former Wales semi-pro international two Welsh Premier League Golden Boot awards.


VENABLES AR LWYDDIANT A METHIANT CWPAN JD CYMRUGAN MARK PITMAN

Fodd bynnag, roedd symud i’r Bala’r haf diwethaf yn bennod newydd yng ngyrfa’r chwaraewr 31 mlwydd oed. “Dwi wedi mwynhau ‘nhymor cyntaf yn fawr iawn,” eglurodd Venables. “Mae pawb yn y clwb wedi ‘nghroesawu i gyda breichiau agored a dwi wedi mwynhau cael y cyfle i fod yn rhan o sgwad wych gydag ymdeimlad cryf o undod, sydd ddim yn digwydd yn aml mewn pêl-droed.

“Roedd dechrau’r tymor ychydig yn araf a gallai hynny fod wedi synnu rhai pobl ond wedyn fe wnaethom ni ffeindio’n traed gan roi rhediad gwych at ei gilydd. Mae’r undod a’n penderfyniad i ennill y canlyniadau yn amlwg i bawb eu gweld. Fe fyddwn i wrth fy modd yn creu hanes drwy fod yn rhan o garfan y Bala sy’n codi Cwpan Cymru am y tro cyntaf erioed yn hanes y clwb.”

Ond Caernarfon o Gynghrair Cymru Alliance yw’r clwb annisgwyl sy’n atal Venables rhag cael ei ddwylo ar y gwpan, clwb sydd eisoes wedi goresgyn dau dîm o Uwch Gynghrair Dafabet Cymru, Caerfyrddin a Rhyl, ar eu ffordd i’r rownd gynderfynol.

“Bydd Caernarfon yn wrthwynebwyr caled dros ben i ni,” ychwanegodd Venables. “Mae ganddyn nhw rai chwaraewyr mawr yn eu carfan, gyda llawer ohonyn nhw â phrofiad o gynghrair Uwch Gynghrair Cymru, felly rydym ni’n hollol ymwybodol o’u gallu nhw. Rydym yn gwybod y bydd rhaid i ni fod ar ein gorau i gyrraedd y rownd derfynol.

Mae gan Venables atgofion cymysg o Gwpan JD Cymru gan ei fod wedi codi’r tlws gyda Llanelli yn 2011 cyn colli yn y rownd derfynol ddwywaith wedyn wrth chwarae i Aberystwyth.

Mae’r chwaraewr canol cae Chris Venables wedi gwneud penawdau ar draws Ewrop yn ystod y tymhorau diweddar yn dilyn goliau diri ar ôl dychwelyd i Aberystwyth gan ennyn dwy wobr Esgid Euraidd Uwch Gynghrair Cymru i gyn chwaraewr lled-broffesiynol Cymru.

“Dwi’n cofio rownd derfynol Cwpan Cymru 2011 fel un o’n hatgofion melysaf mewn pêl-droed hyd yn hyn” meddai wrth adlewyrchu ar y fuddugoliaeth o 4-1 dros Fangor ym Mharc y Scarlets. “Ar y diwrnod fe 'naethon ni achub ar y cyfle a chwarae’n union fel yr oeddem ni wedi cynllunio. Ddim yn aml mae cynllun yn gallu cael ei wireddu mewn pêl-droed, yn enwedig mewn gêm gwpan, ond y diwrnod hwnnw fe ddigwyddodd hynny ac o ganlyniad roedd hi’n bleser chwarae rhan yn y gêm honno.”

“Byddai gwneud hynny eto’n wych. Ar y llaw arall, roedd cael ein trechu gan TNS yn rownd derfynol Cwpan Cymru yn 2014 yn sefyll allan fel y foment mwyaf siomedig o ‘ngyrfa i. Fe roddom ni bopeth ar y diwrnod i geisio cael canlyniad ac ar ôl bod ar y blaen gyda dwy gôl am gyhyd, roedd hi’n anodd iawn colli’n hwyr yn y gêm. Wedi dweud hynny, roedd yn brofiad gwych cael chwarae mewn rownd derfynol arall a 'doedd y canlyniad ddim yn ddrwg i gyd wrth i ni gymhwyso ar gyfer Ewrop drwy gyrraedd y rownd derfynol, cam positif iawn i ni.”


NO TO RACISM

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MATCH OFFICIALS

JOHN BRYANTAssistant Referee 1

MARK PETCH4th Official

DAN BECKETTAssistant Referee 2

NICK PRATTReferee

27 www.faw.cymru

We have now seen such unacceptable conduct spreading down to grassroots football across the UK. Whilst here in Wales we are not exempt from the problems overall, the behaviour of players, at all levels, is generally within an acceptable standard.

Any referee starting out often finds themself controlling twenty-two players without the luxury of assistant referees and a 4th official, so at times refereeing can seem a lonely pastime.

However, help is at hand, there are over twenty-five referees’ associations in Wales and many of these meet monthly and is an ideal place where fellow officials can discuss incidents from their games. Many of them also invite guest speakers to pass on their experiences and knowledge providing a great place to learn.

FAW REFEREE DEVELOPMENT GROUP PROGRAMME The FAW Referee development programme was launched following successful funding through the UEFA Referee Convention and has proven to be exceptionally successful to date with a high number of referees and assistant referees currently operating at Welsh Premier level who came through the development group system. There are also a number of FIFA officials from Wales who have benefited through the development group system.

There are 5 development groups across the country - North East Wales, North West Wales, Gwent, South Wales and West Wales. The groups are made up of approximately 5 to 12 members with ages ranging from around 18 to around 30 years of age. Area associations nominate the members of the groups, individuals must be refereeing senior football and show perceived potential through assessments at association level.

Each development group has a Referee Development Officer (RDO) who acts as a coach and mentor for the group members throughout their time in the groups. The RDO is available at all times to offer help and support for anything both on and off the field the new official would like to discuss. Some groups also invite younger officials within the area along to meetings to give them the hunger to strive to be on a development group once eligible, hence hopefully giving us the natural rotation of young officials every 2 to 3 years.

The RDO organises meetings and training sessions during the season for group members. These cover a diverse range of subjects aimed at giving the young referees a better all-round understanding of all aspects of the game. The meetings also provide an opportunity for the RDOs to emphasise the levels of commitment required both in terms of fitness and behaviour to succeed as a national list official.

The RDO attends group members’ matches to offer advice to enhance future performances. The RDO also has sight of an individual’s other assessments so they can offer advice on any possible points of improvements.

Being part of a development group most definitely does not guarantee success, nor does it provide a fast track to the top roles, but what it does offer is the best coaching and best advice from the best coaches within Wales and beyond.

It is then down to the commitment, enthusiasm and dedication of the individual to want to succeed. Anyone fortunate enough to be involved in a development group will tell you that the support offered and the level of coaching and advice offered really does give them a massive advantage in progressing through the system if they show the right attitude both on and off the field.

The development groups have produced over 40% of our current elite and 4 International officials

WHO WOULD BE A REFEREE?BY RAY ELLINGHAMOne of the world’s most famous referees Pierluigi Collina recently went on record regarding abusive and violent behaviour towards to officials from players at the highest levels of the game.

29 www.faw.cymruwww.faw.cymru28

Rydym bellach wedi gweld y fath ymddygiad annerbyniol yn lledaenu i bêl-droed ar lawr gwlad ar draws y DU. Er nad ydym ni uwchlaw’r problemau yma yng Nghymru, yn gyffredinol mae ymddygiad chwaraewyr ar bob lefel o safon dderbyniol.Mae unrhyw ddyfarnwr ar ddechrau ei yrfa yn aml â’r dasg o reoli dwy ar hugain o chwaraewyr heb gymorth dyfarnwyr cynorthwyol a’r pedwerydd swyddog, felly gall ymddangos fel swydd unig.Fodd bynnag, mae cymorth wrth law mewn dros bump ar hugain o gymdeithasau dyfarnwyr yng Nghymru gyda llawer o’r rhain yn cyfarfod yn fisol a’n darparu’r lle delfrydol i gyd-swyddogion drafod digwyddiadau o’u gemau. Mae llawer ohonynt hefyd yn gwahodd siaradwyr gwadd i drosglwyddo’u profiadau a’u gwybodaeth ac felly’n lle gwych i ddysgu.

FARHAGLEN DATBLYGU DYFARNWYRGRŴPCBDCCafodd rhaglen ddatblygu Dyfarnwyr CBDC ei lansio yn dilyn nawdd gan Gonfensiwn Dyfarnu UEFA ac mae wedi profi i fod yn eithriadol o lwyddiannus hyd yn hyn gyda nifer fawr o ddyfarnwyr a dyfarnwyr cynorthwyol s’yn gweithredu ar lefel Uwch Gynghrair Cymru ar hyn o bryd wedi dod drwy'r system grŵp datblygu. Mae yna hefyd nifer o swyddogion FIFA o Gymru sydd wedi elwa drwy'r system grŵp datblygu.Mae 5 grŵp datblygu ar draws y wlad - Gogledd Ddwyrain Cymru, Gogledd Orllewin Cymru, Gwent, De Cymru a Gorllewin Cymru. Mae'r grwpiau hyn yn cynnwys 5 i 12 aelod gydag ystod oedran o 18 i oddeutu 30 mlwydd oed.

Mae cymdeithas pob ardal yn enwebu aelodau'r grwpiau ac mae’n rhaid i unigolion fod yn dyfarnu pêl-droed o lefel uchel ac wedi dangos potensial drwy asesiadau ar lefel y gymdeithas.Mae gan bob grŵp datblygu Swyddog Datblygu Dyfarnwr (SDD) sy'n gweithredu fel hyfforddwr a mentor ar gyfer aelodau'r grŵp drwy gydol eu hamser yno. Mae'r SDD bob amser ar gael i roi cymorth a chefnogaeth am unrhyw beth ar ac oddi ar y cae. Mae rhai grwpiau hefyd yn gwahodd swyddogion iau yr ardal i gyfarfodydd i ysgogi angerdd i fod yn rhan o’r grŵp datblygu maes o law, gan obeithio creu cylchdro naturiol o swyddogion ifanc bob 2-3 blynedd.Mae’r SDD yn mynychu gemau aelodau er mwyn cynnig cyngor i wella perfformiadau’r dyfodol. Mae’r SDD hefyd yn cadw llygaid ar asesiadau unigolion er mwyn cynnig argymhellion ar gyfer gwella.Nid yw bod yn rhan o grŵp datblygu’n sicrhau llwyddiant, na’n darparu llwybr cyflym i gyrraedd y brig ond heb os, yr hyn mae’n ei wneud yw cynnig yr hyfforddiant a’r cyngor gorau gan yr hyfforddwyr gorau yng Nghymru a thu hwnt.Mae llwyddiant yn ddibynnol ar ymrwymiad, brwdfrydedd ac ymroddiad yr unigolyn. Bydd unrhyw un sy’n ddigon ffodus i fod yn rhan o grŵp datblygu yn dweud wrthoch chi fod y gefnogaeth, cyngor a’r lefel o hyfforddiant ar gael wir yn rhoi mantais enfawr iddynt wrth ddatblygu drwy’r system - os ydyn nhw’n dangos yr agwedd gywir ar ac oddi ar y cae.Mae'r grwpiau datblygu wedi cynhyrchu dros 40% o'n swyddogion elît presennol a’n 4 swyddog Rhyngwladol.

PWY FYDDAI'N BOD YN DDYFARNWR?BY RAY ELLINGHAMSiaradodd un o ddyfarnwyr enwocaf y byd, Pierluigi Collina yn ddiweddar ynglŷn ag ymddygiad treisgar tuag at swyddogion gan chwaraewyr ar lefelau uchaf y gêm.

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The Biggest Match in Women’s Club Football

The biggest match in women’s club football is coming to Cardiff this summer as Wales prepares to host the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final!

Book your tickets now to witness the European Champions lift the iconic UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy at Cardiff City Stadium.

Thursday 1st June 2017Kick Off 7.45pmCardiff City StadiumAdults £6. Children (16 and under) and concessions £3

To book visit www.uwclf2017.co.uk#UWCLfinal

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