The Nathaniel MG Cup third round takes place on Tuesday 19 September, with spots in the quarter-finals at stake.
The standout tie is a south Wales derby at the Swansea.com Stadium between Swansea City and Cardiff City, who are both wildcard entries in this season’s competition.
The Swans have knocked out Carmarthen Town and Caerau Ely so far while the Bluebirds have defeated Cambrian & Clydach Vale and Haverfordwest County, with young prospects such as Iwan Morgan and Cian Ashford taking their chance to impress.
Cup holders Bala Town will aim to continue their defence of the trophy when they travel to JD Cymru North side Guilsfield. The Lakesiders, who are currently third in the top-flight, have made an unbeaten start to the league campaign and eased past Ruthin Town in round two.
After beating Caersws in the first round, Guilsfield produced an upset to knock out JD Cymru Premier side Newtown on penalties in round two. Nathan Leonard’s team are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and are currently 10th in the JD Cymru North table.
Current JD Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints have won the Nathaniel MG Cup on a record nine occasions, but are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in five years after progressing past last year’s finalists Connah’s Quay Nomads in the previous round.
Their third round tie sees them host JD Cymru North side Porthmadog, who have already knocked out top-flight opposition this season. Craig Papirnyk’s team overcame Gwynedd neighbours Caernarfon Town on penalties in round two after beating Llanidloes Town in the first round.
Afan Lido caused perhaps the biggest upset in round two when they knocked out Penybont on penalties and they are still yet to lose a game in any competition in 2023/24 – winning eight and drawing one. The Reds currently sit top of the JD Cymru South.
They meet JD Cymru Premier opposition again in the third round as they host 2019 Nathaniel MG Cup winners Cardiff Met. The Archers, who are currently sixth in the top-flight, have reached at least the semi-finals in four of the last five campaigns and knocked out Taffs Well in the previous round.
Colwyn Bay will hope to continue their strong recent form when they travel to Prestatyn Town. The Seagulls have won their last two JD Cymru Premier matches as they settle into life in the top-flight and they were the biggest winners in the second round by beating Airbus UK Broughton 5-0.
Meanwhile, Prestatyn were drawn to receive a bye in round one before overcoming Flint Town United on penalties in round two. The Seasiders have picked up seven points from their opening six matches in the JD Cymru North to sit 12th in the table.
The only all top-flight tie comes between Aberystwyth Town and Pontypridd, who currently sit 12th and eighth in the JD Cymru Premier respectively. It was only three weeks ago when they last met, with Keston Davies’ goal earning the Dragons a 1-0 win at Park Avenue.
The Seasiders came from behind to win 2-1 away at Barry Town United in round two – their only victory so far in 2023/24 – while Pontypridd also produced a comeback to triumph 4-1 against Llanelli Town.
There is also one all JD Cymru South affair between Ammanford and Briton Ferry Llansawel. Both clubs have made impressive starts to the league season and currently sit fourth and second in the table respectively.
Ammanford knocked out Abertillery Bluebirds in round one before needing penalties to beat Trefelin in round two, while the Reds have overcome Abergavenny Town and Llantwit Major so far.
Finally, Buckley Town host Gresford Athletic in a repeat of their third round meeting last season. The Colliers won 8-7 on penalties on that occasion following a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes.
This season, the Bucks have beaten Mold Alexandra and Denbigh Town to reach this stage, while Gresford received a first round bye before knocking out Bangor 1876. The two clubs currently sit ninth and 14threspectively in the JD Cymru North table.
Nathaniel MG Cup third round fixtures (Tuesday 19 September):
Afan Lido v Cardiff Met (19:30)
Ammanford v Briton Ferry Llansawel (19:30)
Buckley Town v Gresford Athletic (19:30)
Swansea City v Cardiff City (19:30)
Guilsfield v Bala Town (19:45)
Prestatyn Town v Colwyn Bay (19:45)
The New Saints v Porthmadog (19:45)
Aberystwyth Town v Pontypridd United (20:00)
