HUW GRIFFITHS is wary of Welsh Cup history repeating itself for his Cefn Druids side this weekend.

Both of the club’s last two forays into the competition have ended in disappointing early exits to lower league sides, with defeat at Llanfair United in 2016/17 preceding last season’s 3-2 reverse at Llanrhaeadr.

And with Druids handed an away trip to Gwent minnows Ynysddu United, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Griffiths is all too aware of the potential for another cup shock.

He said: “It’s massively important that we learn from those previous cup upsets.

“Like every club involved in the Welsh Cup we have a lot of respect for the competition and we’ll be doing everything to go as far as possible in it this season.

“Getting drawn away against the lowest ranked side left in the competition does you no favours though.

“We know the pressure will be on us to turn up and perform and that they’ll be giving it everything to knock us out.

“The fact the game will be played on a 3G surface which levels the playing field a little bit.

“Hopefully it suits us, because in the past we’ve struggled on heavier pitches in this competition..

“But our preparations will be right this time around and we’ll be ready

“We’ve had them watched and reports on them, so we’ve left no stone unturned in that respect.”

Ynysddu Welfare boss Ben Murphy says playing a side of Cefn Druids calibre will be an ‘unbelievable’ experience.

Murphy’s side will be targeting a fourth cup scalp against higher league opposition in tomorrow’s clash at Pontllanfraith

He said: “To be playing a side of this calibre will be unbelievable”

“When the draw is made you pray for a big tie and to face the oldest club in Wales on home soil is amazing.

“My players will be walking out against players who played Europa league football this summer, it feels a little surreal but for 90 minutes we have to forget all that.

“We both enter the game as a side in the Welsh Cup Round Three irrespective of what competition we’ve played in.

“Their league form hasn’t been what they would have expected but they will be very confident coming into this game.

“They would have been delighted with the draw and I’m sure their supporters will be expecting a safe passage through to the next round but we will be looking to capitalise on any loss of confidence from their players.

“It’s a monumental challenge for us but we will look to gain any little advantage we can.

“I said to the players it’s important you take the magnitude of the game in.

“As a player, I didn’t appreciate it enough and the moment passes by quickly so I’ll ensure the players’ saviour every minute.

“We will do nothing at all different than any other week.

“I’m a firm believer in preparing for each game as best you possibly can whether that be a Gwent county league game or a Welsh cup game against Welsh Premier League opposition.

“With Druids being a Welsh Premier League side it’s far easier to analyse them and try to see areas you may be able to target so we have watched as much as we possibly can.

“Analyse is one thing, executing it is a different story.”