Ahead of the Nathaniel MG Cup Final between The New Saints and Barry Town United at the DragonBet Stadium on Saturday (KO 17:30), recap how both clubs reached this stage.
2026 Nathaniel MG Cup Final
Round Two
The New Saints 7-1 Airbus UK Broughton
TNS began their defence of the Nathaniel MG Cup with an emphatic victory over JD Cymru North highflyers Airbus UK Broughton.
The Saints only led by two goals at the break as Louis Phillips and Rory Holden both found the net, but Holden completed a brace for himself early in the second half before Ben Wilson and Adrian Cieslewicz added their names to the scoresheet.
Aramide Oteh bagged a quickfire brace to make it seven for TNS, but they were denied a clean sheet by a consolation goal from Airbus substitute Sam Baker in stoppage time.
Barry Town United 2-1 Aberystwyth Town
Callum Sainty scored a late winner as Barry knocked out last season’s runners-up Aberystwyth Town at Jenner Park.
Clever movement and a neat finish from Ollie Hulbert put the hosts in front on 25 minutes, but a beautifully curled free-kick from Ben Guest brought Aberystwyth level in the 74th minute.
The tie looked set for penalties until five minutes from time when Barry captain Sainty rose highest to head home Ryan Kavanagh’s cross and book his side’s spot in the third round.
Round Three
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-3 The New Saints
Isaac Jefferies starred with a brace as TNS triumphed over Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Essity Stadium.
Both of the forward’s goals came within the space of 60 seconds of each other towards the end of the first half, as he tucked away the rebound from Ken Charles’ blocked effort on the line before slotting past Ryley Berry at the near post.
Ben Clark’s deflected effort made it three for the Saints on 55 minutes, while the Nomads found a consolation in stoppage time through Harry Franklin, who intercepted a tame back pass from Harrison McGahey and made no mistake when one-on-one with Nathan Shepperd.
Barry Town United 1-0 Llanelli Town
The Linnets reached the last eight with a narrow home win over top-flight strugglers Llanelli Town.
The contest was goalless for over an hour until Ieuan Owen, who had been on the pitch for just two minutes after coming on as a substitute, broke the deadlock and found what proved to be the winner in the 70th minute.
Quarter-Finals
The New Saints 3-0 Caernarfon Town
An emphatic second half display saw Craig Harrison’s side ease into the semi-finals against Caernarfon Town at Park Hall.
The Saints were kept at bay by the Cofis for the opening 45 minutes, but they found an opener just five minutes after the break as Adrian Cieslewicz turned home Louis Phillips’ low ball.
A brace from Jack Nadin in the final 10 minutes sealed TNS’ spot in the last four, as the 21-year-old tucked home the rebound following Ben Clark’s saved effort before he produced a first-time finish from Kade Craig’s cross.
Haverfordwest County 0-2 Barry Town United
Barry reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive season with victory away at Haverfordwest County.
After a goalless first half, Barry were awarded a penalty just four minutes after the break and Cardiff City loanee Morgan Wigley stepped up to score from the spot.
Dan Hawkins squandered a glorious chance to equalise for Haverfordwest as he headed over the bar from close range when running into Corey Shephard’s cross, which proved costly for the hosts as Ieuan Owen came off the bench for Barry and netted just six minutes later to seal victory.
Semi-Finals
The New Saints 1-2 Llandudno
JD Cymru North leaders provided stern opposition at Park Hall, but TNS secured a narrow victory.
Dan Williams broke the deadlock in the 19th minute as he arrived in the box to meet Jordan Marshall’s low delivery with a calm first time finish, while Jordan Williams doubled the advantage eight minutes later by receiving Jack Nadin’s through pass and rounding Shaun Pearson to slot into an empty net.
The hosts took a two-goal lead into the break, but Llandudno came out firing in the second half and halved the deficit in the 48th minute as he headed home Jordan Pownall’s cross from the right.
The Seasiders had chances to equalise as Anthony Stephens found the net only for the offside flag to be raised, while Pownall struck the post in stoppage time, but the Saints held on to reach the final.
Cambrian United 0-3 Barry Town United
Barry booked their place in the final for the first time in nine years with a comfortable victory away at Cambrian United.
The Linnets found the breakthrough in first half stoppage time when Will Richards headed home from Eliot Richards’ corner, before doubling their lead nine minutes into the second half when Eliot Richards’ effort from range was only parried by Morgan Davies, allowing Ollie Hulbert to coolly fire in the rebound.
Victory was sealed in the 78th minute when Owen Cuddihy’s shot caused pinball in the box and Ben Margetson got a decisive touch to poke the ball past Davies.
