HOLDERS Connah’s Quay Nomads will continue the defence of their Welsh Cup trophy with an away day tomorrow.

Cymru South high-flyers Trefelin will be hoping to spring a surprise against Billy Paynter’s charges.

Nomads, who memorably defeated The New Saints 2-1 in the final of last season’s competition at Newport’s Rodney Parade, have been inconsistent this season and they’ve only managed back-to-back wins once so far during the current campaign.

Meanwhile, Trefelin sit fourth in the Cymru South rankings and they are just five points off the league leaders.

While his side has been inconsistent of late, boss Paynter is still fully backing his players and he believes the quality is there within the group.

Paynter told S4C’s Sgorio: “I say, trust in the lads. We’ve got quality in there. It’s great to see Callum Bratley back.”

Bratley came off the bench in last week’s 3-2 league defeat away to Barry.

“What a key, key player he’s shown in that 10 minutes little cameo, to get the free kick,” added Paynter.

“Receiving the ball and driving - a positive player who’ll be a key, key player for us going forward.”

Midfielder Bratley told the club’s website: “The lads are the best group of players I’ve been involved with both on and off the pitch which was a huge reason for re-signing.

“Of course it’s been a transitional period for the squad and the management team but we have retained a very strong core group of players and the new signings have settled into the group really well adding a mixture of youth and significant experience in Mazza’s (Chris Marriot’s) case. I’m confident in the group we have.”

Michael Wilde lifted the Welsh Cup in his final season as a Connah’s Quay Nomads player last April.

Now manager at Colwyn Bay, Wilde’s side will be favourites to see off Cymru North rivals Ruthin Town at Llanelian Road to book their place in the last-16 draw.

There are some injury concerns for Wilde, who told Bay’s YouTube channel: “There is a few little niggles, knocks, but that’s why we’ve got such quality in the squad to rely on and, ultimately, the lads hopefully that will come in will know what it’s about, their roles and responsibilities, like we keep going on about and, hopefully, we can just be as competitive... with whatever team we decide to put out.”

Wilde’s assistant Danny Harrison added: “The Welsh Cup is something that we’ve been successful in as players sort of over the years.

“It’s absolutely something that we want to be successful in this year as well.”

The other all-Cymru North affair is in mid-Wales where Caersws host Bangor 1876.

Llandudno head in the same direction to play Cambrian United while Denbigh Town make the much shorter trip to face Llanrwst United.

Llanuwchllyn nailed Newtown in one of the shock results of the first round and they will be looking to make home advantage count against Swansea University.

Including his penalty in last month’s penalty shoot-out win against top flight outfit Newtown, Meilir Williams has now scored 25 goals this season for Llanuwchllyn, who are also still flying the flag in the Welsh Trophy.

There’s a massive tie on Anglesey tomorrow where Holyhead Hotspur will look to bounce back from last week’s Ardal North Cup defeat at Corwen by beating near-neighbours Trearddur Bay.

Tomorrow’s other ties: Caerau (Ely) v Rogerstone; Llanelli Town v Pill; Penydarren BGC v Carmarthen; Ammanford v Haverfordwest County.Tonight: Afan Lido v Morriston Town.