The 2024/25 Welsh domestic season kicks off this weekend with the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
The first ball to be kicked will be at The Ring, where Llay Miners Welfare host Denbigh Town at 7pm on Friday night.
The Welly are newly-promoted in the JD Cymru North after winning the Ardal North play-off in May and will be hoping to replicate Denbigh’s exploits last season as Dewi Llion’s side finished sixth in their first campaign back in the second tier.
Also on Friday night, wildcard side Cardiff City begin their second consecutive Nathaniel MG Cup campaign with a trip to Afan Lido (KO 7:30pm).
The Bluebirds reached the third round of the competition last season, with many of the U21 side that they fielded going on to make first team appearances by the end of the campaign.
Lido, the first ever winners of the Nathaniel MG Cup in 1993, knocked out top-flight side Penybont on penalties last season before their journey also ended in round three.
Another wildcard side are also in action on Friday night as Merthyr Town make the trip to Taffs Well (KO 7:30pm), a week after the two sides met in a pre-season friendly.
The Southern League Premier South outfit are appearing in the competition for the first time since 2014 when they reached the quarter-finals, while the Wellmen were semi-finalists two seasons ago.
It will be a poignant fixture for both clubs following the passing of Norma Samuel earlier this year. Norma was the esteemed secretary of Taffs Well for several decades, while she also played a key role in the survival of Merthyr when they required a ground to play at following liquidation in 2010.
Newport County are another wildcard side returning to the Nathaniel MG Cup following their previous entry in 2021/22 and they travel to Llandudno on Saturday evening (KO 5pm) after being placed in the Northern section of the draw.
The Exiles will hope for better fortunes than their first round tie three years ago when they suffered a 5-0 defeat away at Llanelli Town.
Llandudno enjoyed a cup run by reaching the Welsh Blood Service League Cup Northern final last season, but they have been knocked out of the Nathaniel MG Cup in the first round in three of the last four years.
The final wildcard side in action are Swansea City, who make the short journey to Baglan Dragons at 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon.
The Swans made it all the way to the final in their inaugural campaign in the Nathaniel MG Cup last season before suffering defeat to The New Saints at Jenner Park.
Their trip to the Evans Bevans Playing Fields will certainly not be a straightforward one, with Baglan Dragons impressing in their first season in the JD Cymru South last term.
Sunday afternoon’s other first round tie sees Airbus UK Broughton host Mold Alexandra in a Flintshire derby at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium (KO 2:30pm).
The two sides finished third and fourth respectively in the JD Cymru North last season, so this should be a feisty affair.
It will be a first competitive fixture for The Alex under the guidance of new manager Barry Owen, while there will be a reunion for striker Danny Warren who left Mold to join Airbus this summer.
The winners of the tie will face the winner of the game between Caersws and Holywell Town on Saturday afternoon (KO 2:30pm).
The Bluebirds are three-time winners of the competition, while the Wellmen will be targeting another strong campaign after winning the JD Cymru North title last season.
There is a lunchtime derby in Gwent on Saturday as Cwmbran Celtic host Trethomas Bluebirds (KO 12:30pm).
Simon Berry is the new man in the dugout at Celtic Park so he will be keen to get off to a strong start, while Trethomas are preparing for their first season in the JD Cymru South after winning the Ardal South East title last season.
Nathaniel MG Cup round one – Northern Section
Friday 19 July
Llay Miners Welfare v Denbigh Town (19:00)
Flint Mountain v Gresford Athletic (19:30)
Ruthin Town v Bangor 1876 (19:45)
Saturday 20 July
Buckley Town v Prestatyn Town (14:30)
Caersws v Holywell Town (14:30)
Penrhyncoch v Guilsfield (14:30)
Llandudno v Newport County (17:00)
Sunday 21 July
Airbus UK Broughton v Mold Alexandra (14:30)
Nathaniel MG Cup round one – Southern Section
Friday 19 July
Afan Lido v Cardiff City (19:30)
Taffs Well v Merthyr Town (19:30)
Saturday 20 July
Cwmbran Celtic v Trethomas Bluebirds (12:30)
Caerau Ely v Trefelin (14:30)
Carmarthen Town v Cambrian United (14:30)
Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Goytre United (14:30)
Llantwit Major v Newport City (14:30)
Sunday 21 July
Baglan Dragons v Swansea City (14:30)
