The draw for the first round of the 2017/18 Nathaniel MG was made at the Dafabet Welsh Premier League’s AGM where it was confirmed that the competition will trial the new ‘ABBA’ penalty shootout format.
This season’s winners The New Saints along with semi-finalists Barry Town, Carmarthen Town and Connah’s Quay all received byes from the regionalised first-round.
In next season’s competition, any game requiring a penalty shootout will follow the ‘ABBA’ format in which Team A will take the first penalty but Team B will take the following two penalties.
This format is being trialled in competitions around the world after a study found that the team taking the first penalty kick in a shoot-out has over a 60% psychological advantage.
The Nathaniel MG Cup has already been used to trial new formats previously.
Last season the league voted on the ruling to permit a fourth substitution for games which went into extra-time, a rule which has worked successfully and was voted in again for next season.
Denbigh Town, Pontypridd Town, Caersws and Holyhead Hotspurs were accepted as the four wildcard picks to enter the competition.
The first round draw in full:
Central Region Ties
Bala Town FC v Newtown AFC
Caersws FC v Aberystwyth Town FC
North-Eastern Region Ties
Airbus UK Broughton FC v Cefn Druids
Holywell Town v Prestatyn Town
Rhyl FC v Flint Town United
North-Western Region Ties
Bangor City FC v Denbigh Town FC
Llandudno FC v Caernarfon Town FC
Porthmadog FC v Holyhead Hotspur
South-Western Region Ties
Haverfordwest County v Goytre United
Afan Lido v Penybont FC
South-Eastern Region Ties
Goytre FC v Cardiff Metropolitan FC
Pontypridd Town v Taff’s Well
All ties to be played on 29th, 30th August.
