The Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finals await this week, with the four ties spread across three days.
The action begins on Monday night when Swansea City and Briton Ferry Llansawel go head-to-head at Old Road.
This is the Swans’ first season in the Nathaniel MG Cup after entering as a wildcard and they have enjoyed an impressive run so far, knocking out JD Cymru South clubs Carmarthen Town and Caerau Ely before getting the better of fellow wildcard side Cardiff City on penalties in the last round.
However, Briton Ferry could be their toughest test yet as the Reds currently sit top of the JD Cymru South having lost just two games all season.
This is their first ever appearance in the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finals after wins over fellow second tier sides Abergavenny Town, Llantwit Major and Ammanford.
There are plenty of connections between the two clubs that make Monday night’s clash an enticing one. The Swans signed Mitchell Bates from Ferry earlier this year, while U21 coach Anthony Wright is the father of Reds teenagers Morgan and Lloyd Wright.
JD Cymru Premier leaders The New Saints have won the Nathaniel MG Cup on more occasions than anyone else (nine), but this is their first appearance in the quarter-finals since 2018/19.
Craig Harrison’s side knocked out last season’s runners-up Connah’s Quay Nomads in the second round before easing past Porthmadog in round three.
Gresford Athletic visit Park Hall in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night and the Colliers could not be in better form – they have won their last eight matches in a row in all competitions.
Eddie Maurice Jones’ side, who currently sit seventh in the JD Cymru North, have knocked out Bangor 1876 and Buckley Town in this competition so far this season, winning both ties away from home. This is their second successive campaign in the quarter-finals.
The two clubs’ only previous meeting came in the fourth round of the 2014/15 JD Welsh Cup, when TNS triumphed 3-0 on their way to lifting the trophy.
JD Cymru North side Guilsfield knocked out holders Bala Town in the last round and will now aim to book a spot in the semi-finals in a home tie against Prestatyn Town on Wednesday night.
The Lakesiders are one of two JD Cymru Premier clubs who Guilsfield have beaten in the competition this season after they also defeated Newtown on penalties in round two. The Montgomeryshire outfit are in the quarter-finals for the first time.
Prestatyn also progressed past top-flight opposition in the previous round, winning a penalty shootout against Colwyn Bay. They also needed spot-kicks to knock out Flint Town United in round two.
The Seasiders were semi-finalists in this competition in 2014/15 before losing to Bala Town, but they are in the last eight for the first time in four years.
Four points currently separate the two sides in the JD Cymru North table, with Guilsfield in eighth place after three wins in their last four matches and Prestatyn in 13th having lost their last two. A Jamie Hyne brace helped Nathan Leonard’s side win 3-1 when they met at the end of September.
The only all JD Cymru Premier tie in the quarter-finals comes between Cardiff Met and Pontypridd United at Cyncoed Campus on Tuesday night.
The Archers lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup in 2019 and are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the fifth time in the last six campaigns. So far this season they have knocked out Taffs Well and Afan Lido without conceding a goal.
This is only Pontypridd’s second quarter-final appearance and they do not have fond memories of the first when they were thrashed 7-1 by Barry Town United in 2021/22. This term, the Dragons defeated Llanelli Town in round two before Jack Karadogan scored a 92nd-minute to beat fellow top-flight side Aberystwyth Town 1-0 in round three.
Both clubs head into the tie off the back of defeats in the JD Cymru Premier at the weekend. Met were beaten 5-1 away at Caernarfon Town to fall to sixth in the table, while ninth-place Pontypridd suffered a 3-0 home loss to Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Cardiff Met have won all of the five previous meetings between the two clubs, most recently in September when goals from Tom Vincent and Eliot Evans secured a 2-0 victory in the JD Cymru Premier.
