NEWPORT County face long arduous trips to North Wales in this season's FAW Premier Cup, writes Peter Shuttleworth.

The Exiles have been drawn against Connah's Quay Nomads, UEFA Cup hopefuls Bangor City and TNS in Group B of the competition.

Gwent rivals Cwmbran Town are in Group A and will clash with Rhyl, Afan Lido and Caersws, the team who beat the Crows in last season's League of Wales Cup Final. County boss Tim Harris remains philosophical about his side's draw, saying: "It's is not ideal, but there's nothing we can do about it.

"The travelling will be an inconvenience but the FAW Premier Cup is a competition we want to be involved in."

Dr Martens League team Newport, who lost to Swansea City in last year's quarter-finals, and League of Wales side Cwmbran found out their fate after the draw last night. Town manager Tony Willcox said: "Each team are similar in ability and they will all feel they have a chance of progressing."

The top two teams from each group will get a guaranteed home quarter-final against one of the four seeds which are Nationwide Second Division Cardiff City, Third Division pair Wrexham or Swansea City and League of Wales champions Barry Town.

Teams get £6,500 for being invited to play in the FAW Premier Cup and they are awarded an extra £15,000 for reaching the quarter-finals. The winner bags £100,000.