The first piece of silverware of the season is up for grabs on Friday 28 February as Aberystwyth Town take on The New Saints in the Nathaniel MG Cup final at Latham Park in Newtown (KO 19:45).
Here is all the pre-match insight to get you ready for the final.
2025 Nathaniel MG Cup Final
The season so far
Reaching the final of this competition has been a highlight of the campaign for Aberystwyth, who find themselves facing relegation from the JD Cymru Premier unless something urgently changes after five defeats in their last six games.
The Seasiders, who have been ever-presents in the Welsh top-flight since its formation in 1992, are currently bottom of the table and eight points adrift of safety with six games to play. Anthony Williams resigned as manager in October and was replaced by Antonio Corbisiero a month later, but the former Aber midfielder has struggled to turn the tide.
TNS made history last summer by becoming the first JD Cymru Premier club to reach the group/league stage of European competition as they did so in the UEFA Conference League. That did have an impact on their domestic form though as they had lost five league games by early December and found themselves chasing Penybont for the league title.
However, Craig Harrison’s side have now firmly found form and head into Friday’s game off the back of 10 consecutive wins in all competitions. They are now 12 points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier and are still in the hunt for a treble, with a JD Welsh Cup semi-final against Cambrian United to come in mid-March.
Road to the final
Aberystwyth kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win away at Colwyn Bay as Niall Flint and John Owen found the net, before they staged a remarkable late comeback to triumph 3-2 over Llandudno in Round Three – trailing 2-1 after 89 minutes, Jonathan Evans scored two late goals, the winner coming in the 98th minute, to keep his side’s cup dreams alive.
The Seasiders again came from behind in a 2-1 win away at Connah’s Quay Nomads in the quarter-finals, with Alex Darlington and Harry Arnison cancelling out Luca Hogan’s opener. In the last four, a 1-1 draw against Cardiff City at Park Avenue meant the tie headed to a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Dave Jones making two saves before Devon Torry stepped up to take the winning spot-kick.
TNS had five different scorers in their 5-1 win over fellow top-flight side Flint Town United in Round Two, before Adrian Cieslewicz’s goal was enough to earn a narrow 1-0 victory away at JD Cymru North highflyers Airbus UK Broughton in Round Three.
The quarter-finals pitted the Saints against 2023 cup winners Bala Town, but Remi Oteh’s double helped secure a 3-1 win before it was a brace from Declan McManus – who has since departed to Northern Irish side Coleraine – that earned a 2-1 victory over Barry Town United in the semis.
Nathaniel MG Cup record
This is Aberystwyth Town’s first ever Nathaniel MG Cup final, having been knocked out in the semi-finals on six previous occasions.
TNS have lifted the trophy a record 10 times and are the current holders, following a 5-1 victory over Swansea City in last season’s final at Jenner Park.
Head-to-head
The New Saints have won the last six meetings between the two sides, triumphing 2-0 at Park Hall earlier this season before a 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture at Park Avenue.
Aberystwyth’s last win against the Saints came in November 2021, when John Owen’s 85th-minute strike earned his side all three points.
Players to watch
Jonathan Evans – Aberystwyth Town
Few players would like to lift the Nathaniel MG Cup for Aberystwyth Town more than local Jonathan Evans, who has so often dragged the team some of their toughest periods in recent years. The 31-year-old is the Seasiders’ top scorer this season with eight league goals, while his late double off the bench in Round Three of this competition saw them edge past Llandudno.
Remi Oteh – The New Saints
It was never going to be an easy job replacing Brad Young in The New Saints’ frontline, but Remi Oteh has made his mark in the JD Cymru Premier this season with 11 goals in 21 league games – only Connah’s Quay Nomads’ Rhys Hughes has scored more across the division. Oteh’s double in the quarter-finals of this competition against Bala Town proved vital to the Saints progressing.
Managers’ thoughts
Antonio Corbisiero, Aberystwyth Town: “To play TNS and beat them would be huge for the club. “It’s something that all the players believe we can do, and I believe. You never know what can happen on a cup final day. It would be amazing if we could get our hands on that trophy.”
Craig Harrison, The New Saints: “It’s a big one because it makes a statement early in the season. It gives an opportunity to get a trophy in the cabinet early on. But obviously we’ve got a tough game against Aberystwyth. They’ve got a young team, enthusiastic, fit, dynamic.”
Match officials
Referee: Aaron Wyn Jones
Assistant Referee 1: Connor Fowler
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Johnson
Fourth Official: Ryan Kenny
The Venue
Latham Park in Newtown will host the Nathaniel MG Cup final for the ninth time. The most recent was in 2020, when Connah’s Quay Nomads won 3-0 against STM Sports.
Ticket information
All seating is unreserved. Tickets are still available to be bought online by clicking here, for the following prices (plus booking fee):
Adults – £8.00
Young Adults (17-21) – £5.00
Seniors (65+) – £5.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £3.00
All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app. Online sales will end at 9am on matchday, but tickets will then be available to buy on the gate for increased prices:
Adults – £12.00
Young Adults (17-21) – £8.00
Seniors (65+) – £8.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00
The main turnstiles at Latham Park will be used for supporters with tickets bought in advance and those needing to buy on the game. Supporters with accessibility needs are advised to use the main entrance.
Television coverage
The Nathaniel MG Cup final will be available to watch live on Sgorio’s online platforms and your smart TV, with coverage beginning at 19:30. Welsh language commentary and English language commentary will both be available.
