THE present will take on the past when TNS meet Colwyn Bay in the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup next month.
The JD Cymru North side are managed by TNS legend Steve Evans who departed Park Hall last season following the sacking of manager Scott Ruscoe and arrival of Anthony Limbrick.
Evans served as player and assistant manager at the Oswestry club for more than two decades with two playing spells sandwiching a three year stint at English non-league club Wrexham where he earned seven Wales caps.
Evans took the helm of Bay earlier in the season following the departure of Craig Hogg and has helped galvanise the north Wales coast club who completed a shock win at the home of defending JD Cymru Premier champions Connah's Quay Nomads last weekend.
Steve Evans.
A bumper gate is also expected with the Seagulls enjoying a surge in interest among supporters after their decision to return to the Welsh system after three decades of self-imposed exile in the lower reaches of the English non-league.
TNS will go into the tie as favourites having booked their own place in the semi-finals following a 2-0 win over JD Cymru North side Guilsfield last week.
The Saints have avoided fellow top flight opposition during their cup run this season having overcome Llanrwst United, Conwy Borough, Carmarthen Town and now Guilsfield to reach the last four.
Steve Evans and Scott Ruscoe.
The winners of the tie between Bala Town and Penybont await the victors of Colwyn Bay and TNS in the final with a place in Europe the reward for the winners.
Should TNS, Bala Town or Penybont book a place in Europe via the league as well as win the Welsh Cup then Wales' third and final European place would drop to the third placed finisher in the JD Cymru Premier.
Due to Wales' poor European co-efficient the country has lost one of its qualifying places next season.
Coach Anthony Limbrick said: "The JD Welsh Cup is a special competition and for us, as holders, we aim to go as far as we can. Colwyn Bay will be tough opponents, and they have shown their quality by knocking out Connah’s Quay Nomads away from home in the last round.
"We look forward to the challenge and a great match."
The JD Welsh Cup semi-finals are scheduled to take place on the weekend of March 19/20 and the final will then be played across the weekend of April 30, May 1 or 2.
The Saints are the current holders of the Welsh Cup, and are attempting to lift the trophy for the eighth time in the club’s history.
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