Connah’s Quay and The New Saints will face Scottish opposition this weekend in the Irn Bru Scottish Challenge Cup.
The two JD Welsh Premier League teams enter the competition in the second round with Connah’s Quay making their debut in competition, after qualifying finishing second-place in the league last season.
They travel north where they face Scottish Championship side Dumbarton on Saturday.
Last year’s semi-finalists, The New Saints play Sunday and have a home draw against Livingston – who they beat 3-0 last season.
Connah’s Quay striker Michael Wilde believes the team’s Europa League qualifying campaign earlier this summer will bode well for the team against unfamiliar opposition.
“I think that’s what we’ve got to take from the European experience – we’re not going to face a tougher opponent than Helsinki in this competition, that’s a fact, and when we come up against these teams we do ourselves proud and come out with results too.
“Everybody can take credit from that Helsinki win, every single person in the squad, and it just shows how well we can acquit ourselves in challenging circumstances, so hopefully we can use that experience to help us get the result on Saturday.
“We want to represent the JD Welsh Premier League well, we want to represent Connah’s Quay Nomads well, and we want to go as far as we can in the competition and give a good account of ourselves throughout. We want to stamp our authority on the competition, be in it for as many rounds as possible, and that journey starts on Saturday.”
The New Saints are hoping new defender Ryan Leak will receive international clearance in order to make his debut this weekend.
Saints completed the loan deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the Wales U19 international on transfer deadline day. The 19-year-old is expected to provide cover whilst Steve Saunders is sidelined.
Leak had been featuring in Wolves’ U23s Premier League 2 side this season and Saints manager Scott Ruscoe believes he will become a good addition.
“I’m really pleased to have signed him on loan until the January window. He is a good left-footed player and we’re looking to get him involved as soon as possible,” explained Ruscoe.
“Having spoken to Scott Sellars (Wolves U23 manager) early on in the transfer window, I watched him play and enquired regarding a loan deal.
“Obviously with Steve Saunders picking up an injury that made it more of a concern for us, needing to bring players in for that area, and with Callum (Roberts) and now Ryan we have done so.”
