SHOULD Newport YMCA make Welsh Cup progress against visiting Briton Ferry Athletic on Saturday – expect the city outfit to be drawn at home in the competition’s fourth round.

Why? Well remarkably, and not withstanding last season’s losing semi final against Bangor City at Newtown’s neutral Latham Park, although they even came out of the draw hat first for that game, the visit of Briton Ferry to Mendalgief Road is YMCA’s ninth successive home WC tie over the past three seasons.

The last time they lost at their HQ was in the 2006-07 campaign when they went down 3-1 against Principality Welsh Premier League side Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Since, YMCA have seen off Goytre (2-0), Cambrian & Clydach (4-1), a trio of top-flight clubs in then-holders Carmarthen Town (2-1), Llangefni Town (4-3 on pens following a 1-1 draw) and Welshpool Town (3-2) plus this season, Cwmaman Institute (3-2) and Cwmbran Celtic (3-2).

A magnificent record indeed and if you go back to the turn of the millennium, MacWhirter Welsh League Division One outfit YMCA have won 11 of 14 home WC ties.

Besides the Nomads and Treowen Stars (1-0 in 2003-04), YMCA’s only other home defeat came in the 2004-05 campaign, when they were beaten 2-1 by – Briton Ferry!

However, despite enjoying a two-division advantage, YMCA boss Mark Coldrick is adamant his side won’t be underestimating their opponents.

“Far from it,” said Coldrick, whose team is bidding for a place in the last 16.

“And that’s because we know exactly what Briton Ferry will be going through having four times met higher-level opposition ourselves last season.

“Being underdogs means you raise your game by some 25 per cent on the day, but we’ll be prepared for that challenge,” he explained.

“Ferry will have nothing to lose on the day, so it’s up to us to make sure we do the things we are good at in the correct way.

“We’ve received some information on Ferry, but won’t be looking at it too closely because we are now concentrating on ourselves and what we are capable of doing.

“We had a good home win over Bridgend Town last Saturday and while this will be a completely different sort of game, we’ve prepared correctly for it.”

Coldrick concluded by confirming defender Craig James will return to the squad after a holiday, but that teenager Aaron Cotter requires knee surgery after being injured in a youth-team game.

In Division One of the MWL, Caerleon will bid to recover from last weekend’s 6-0 home humiliation by new leaders Bettws when they host Barry Town while strugglers Cwmbran Town and Croesyceiliog, who are both in the three-strong relegation zone, face tough away tasks at Pontardawe Town and Cambrian & Clydach respectively.

Promotion-seeking Llanwern were knocked off the top of Division Two last Saturday. But with table toppers Garden Village not in action, the Gwent side can return to the summit with victory at bottom-placed Treharris Athletic.

Newport Civil Service are the county’s highest-placed Division Three club in eighth position in their debut season at the level, but they face a stiff test when they travel to face the team immediately above them Pontyclun.

Elsewhere managerless Monmouth Town urgently need points to get away from the drop zone and face a Llansawel side which is only three better off, there’s a local derby between Goytre and Risca United while improving Aberbargoed Bus visit leaders AFC Porth.

Saturday games involving Gwent clubs (2.00pm kick offs). Welsh Cup third round: Newport YMCA v Briton Ferry Athletic (extra time and penalties if required). MacWhirter Welsh League Division One: Caerleon v Barry Town; Cambrian & Clydach v Croesyceiliog; Pontardawe Town v Cwmbran Town. Division Two: Cwmbran Celtic v Llangeinor; Llanwern v Treharris Athletic; Tredegar Town v Caerau (Ely). Division Three: AFC Porth v Aberbargoed Buds; Goytre v Risca United; Monmouth Town v Llansawel; Pontyclun v Newport Civil Service.

Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League Division Two: Lucas Cwmbran v Sudbrook Cricket Club, Trinant v Malpas Gladiators Knauf Insulation Gwent Central League Premier Division: Lower New Inn v Goytre; Pontypool Twn v Pandy; Trevethin v Llanarth; Usk Twn v Gilwern & District.

First Division: New Inn v Blaenavon Blues; Cwmffrwdoer v Fairfield Utd; Govilon v Mardy; Abergavenny Thursdays v Pilcs; Sebastopol v Race; Tranch v Panteg.

Second Division: Gilwern B v Pontypool Twn B; Clydach B v Prescoed; Llanarth B v Trevethin B; Llanfoist v Usk Twn B.

East Gwent League Division One: Devauden Green v Monmouth Town A Division Two: Mathern Wanderers B v Rockfield Rovers, Sudbrook Cricket Club B v Undy Athletic B North Gwent League Premier Division: Fleur-De-Lys Welfare v Dugout, Rassau Rangers v Pantside, Red Lion v Castle Inn Briery Hill, Tredegar Arms v Garnlydan Division One: Cwm AFC v Brynmawr Town, Fleur-De-Lys v Blaina United, PFS Athletic v Nantyglo, Pontllanfraith Spartans v Glamorgan Tap