Ahead of the Nathaniel MG Cup final between The New Saints and Swansea City at Jenner Park on Saturday (KO 17:30), recap how both clubs reached this stage.
Buy your tickets for the final here.
First Round
Carmarthen Town 0-4 Swansea City
Having entered the competition as wildcards for the first time, the Swans swept aside Carmarthen in their inaugural tie. All four goals came in a clinical 16-minute spell in the first half, with Iwan Morgan netting twice alongside one each for Ben Lloyd and Glory Nzingo.
Second Round
Swansea City 3-1 Caerau Ely
Playing at Briton Ferry’s Old Road, Swansea once again got the better of JD Cymru South opposition. First half strikes from Mitchell Bates and Kyrell Wilson put them in control, before Iwan Morgan scored his third goal in the competition after the break. James Williams’ 71st-minute goal for Caerau Ely proved only to be a consolation.
The New Saints 2-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Having been knocked out in the second round by Connah’s Quay Nomads last season, TNS gained revenge with a 2-1 comeback win this time around. Callum Bratley put the Nomads ahead early on, but goals from Jordan Williams and Josh Daniels turned the game around.
Third Round
Swansea City 1-1 Cardiff City (5-3 on penalties)
Facing the other wildcard side in the competition at the Swansea.com Stadium, the Swans led through Maliq Cadogan in the first half but were pegged back by 10-man Cardiff after the break as Kieron Evans scored to send the tie to penalties.
After Evan Watts saved Finlay Johnson’s effort and all other penalties were scored, Kristian Fletcher stepped up to book his side’s spot in the last eight.
The New Saints 4-1 Porthmadog
Shaun Cavanagh cancelled out Josh Daniels’ opener in the first 10 minutes of this tie, but goals from Ben Clark, Gwion Dafydd and a stoppage-time penalty from Adrian Cieslewicz made it a comfortable victory in the end for the Saints.
Quarter-Finals
Swansea City 6-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
After the Swans scored an early opener through Kian Jenkins, a red card for Briton Ferry’s Morgan Hutin led to the floodgates opening. Jenkins added another to his tally, while Ruben Davies and Kristian Fletcher scored braces of their own as Anthony Wright’s side cruised into the semi-finals in emphatic style.
The New Saints 9-0 Gresford Athletic
Not be outdone, TNS progressed to the last four with a high-scoring victory of their own. Defender Ash Baker was a surprising hat-trick scorer and Gwion Dafydd bagged two, while Luke Brennan, Dan Williams, Adrian Cieslewicz and Josh Pask also found the net.
Semi-Finals
Swansea City 0-0 Cardiff Met (5-4 on penalties)
Facing JD Cymru Premier opposition for the first time in the competition, Swansea again needed penalties to beat a side from the capital after it finished goalless in 90 minutes against Cardiff Met.
With the shootout at 4-4 after five penalties each, Lincoln McFayden scored from 12 yards before Remy Mitchell made himself a hero by saving Tom Vincent’s effort.
Guilsfield 0-2 The New Saints
JD Cymru North side Guilsfield put in a spirited performance as they attempted to cause an upset, but their resistance was broken in the 42nd minute when Jordan Williams opened the scoring and he then doubled the advantage in the second half. Connor Roberts saved Iwan Matthews’ penalty late on to keep his clean sheet intact.
