BUILTH WELLS FC are gearing up for one of their biggest weekends in recent years when they host a side which once competed in Europe.

Ton Pentre are the visitors to the Lant Field for the first round proper of the JD Welsh Cup on Saturday, October 19.

Builth are currently second in the MMP Mid Wales Division 1 while their visitors sit in 13th place in the Welsh League Division 1 with just one victory from six games this term.

Meanwhile Llandrindod, who are third in Mid Wales Division 1, with six wins, two draws and one less loss than Builth’s two defeats, face a tough away tie.

They must travel to Llantwit Major who are currently seventh in the Cymru South league, just one step below the Welsh top flight, that has been known, since the start of this season, as the Cymru Premier.

The spa men will face a tough task at the Vale of Glamorgan side who have won four, drawn two and lost four of their 10 games this term.

Llandrindod, Builth, and their visitors Ton Pentre, all play at step three of the Welsh pyramid.

Ton Pentre were relegated from the Welsh League first division, which has now been rebranded the Cymru South, with just six wins last term but do have pedigree.

They reached the top of the Welsh game when the national league was known as the League of Wales in the 1990 and in 1995 took on Dutch side Heerenveen, at Cardiff Arms Park, when they became the first Welsh side to compete in the Inter-Toto Cup when they also faced opposition from Denmark, Hungary and Portugal.

But their European adventures almost caused the financial collapse of the Rhondda club which resigned from the League of Wales, mid season, in 1997 and the club had also faced an uncertain future when it put out a call for more volunteers this spring.

The Bulldogs haven’t only enjoyed success in Wales and Europe in November 1986 they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup when they were rewarded with a south Wales derby after drawing former English cup winners Cardiff City at home. The Bluebirds ran out 1-4 winners.

The Bulldogs reached the Welsh Cup final in 1922 and have been semi-finalists as recent as 2003.

Builth have produced a programme for Saturday’s game which kicks off at 2pm.

This week’s football fixtures

Saturday October 19

JD Welsh Cup Round 1

Builth Wells v Ton Pentre 2pm

Llantwit Major AFC v Llandrindod Wells 2.30pm

MMP Mid Wales League Division 1 (2.30)

Tywyn Bryncrug v Radnor Valley

MMP Mid Wales League Division 2 (2.30)

Forden United v Presteigne

Knighton Town v Machynlleth

Emrys Morgan Cup Round 2 (2.30)

Bishops Castle v Llanidloes Town Res

Brecon Northcote v Caersws Res

Dewi Stars v Felindre

Llandysul v Newcastle

Penparcau Res v Llandrindod Wells Res

Penybont United v Llangedwyn

Presteigne Res v Llanfyllin Town

Rhayader Town Res v Four Crosses Res

St Harmon v Corris United

Talgarth Town v Llanilar

Talybont v Brecon Corries

Sunday October 20

Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup Round 2 (2.30)

Penybont United v Talgarth Town