It’s quarter-final time in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday night, as this season’s first piece of silverware edges ever closer.
11-time cup winners The New Saints continue their quest to lift the trophy for the third consecutive season as they host Caernarfon Town.
Craig Harrison’s side are currently on a 12-match winning streak in all competitions, while they are nine points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier. The Saints triumphed 7-1 over Airbus UK Broughton in Round Two before a 3-1 victory against Connah’s Quay Nomads in the last round.
Caernarfon have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years, following a 3-0 win over Colwyn Bay and shootout victory against Holywell Town. The Cofis are currently third in the JD Cymru Premier, following back-to-back wins against Penybont and Briton Ferry Llansawel.
TNS have won the last four meetings between the sides, including a 3-1 victory in the league last month, but Caernarfon will take hope from the fact that they did triumph at Park Hall last season.
There is an all-JD Cymru North tie at Latham Park as high-flying Newtown and Llandudno go head-to-head.
Newtown, Nathaniel MG Cup runners-up in 2012, are currently fourth in the JD Cymru North table, just a point behind the promotion spots. After victory over Buckley Town in Round Two, the Robins knocked out top-flight Bala Town on penalties in the last round to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
Llandudno sit second in the table following a statement 5-0 win over title rivals Airbus UK Broughton last weekend – their eighth consecutive victory in all competitions. The Seasiders have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in six years, having progressed past Gresford Athletic and Denbigh Town so far, but have never appeared in the semi-finals.
The two sides have already met twice this season, with Newtown triumphing on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup, before Llandudno won 2-0 at home in the league a week later.
Cambrian United are the only JD Cymru South side left in the competition and they host Briton Ferry Llansawel.
The Rhondda side, who are currently four points clear at the top of the JD Cymru South, are hoping to evoke memories of their run to the final of this competition in 2019. They knocked out Treowen Stars on penalties in Round One and wildcard Cardiff City in Round Two, before triumphing in another shootout against top-flight Cardiff Met in the last round.
Briton Ferry will hope that the cup can provide some respite from their league form, having lost their last three JD Cymru Premier matches to slip to only a point above the relegation zone. Wins over Trethomas Bluebirds and Penybont have earned the Reds a second appearance in the quarter-finals in three years, but they have never reached the semi-finals.
Cambrian have won the last three meetings between the two sides, with Liam Eason scoring twice in a thrilling 4-3 victory in their most recent encounter in February 2024.
The quarter-final line-up is completed by Haverfordwest County hosting Barry Town United.
It has been a challenging campaign for Haverfordwest, who currently sit in the JD Cymru Premier relegation zone but have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Convincing home wins over Newport City (5-0) and Swansea City (4-1) have seen the Bluebirds reach the quarter-finals for the first time in four years, but they have never reached the semi-finals.
Barry, semi-finalists last season, have won the Nathaniel MG Cup on four occasions but not since 2000. Steve Jenkins’ side climbed into the JD Cymru Premier top half after victory away at Colwyn Bay last weekend, while they have knocked out Aberystwyth Town and Llanelli Town on their way to this stage of the competition.
Ben Margetson scored an 89th-minute winner as Barry won 3-2 at Ogi Bridge Meadow in the league in September – their first victory over Haverfordwest in their last 11 meetings.
