Midweek action awaits in the Nathaniel MG Cup, with all eight Round Three ties taking place on Tuesday night.
The competition’s two remaining wildcard sides Cardiff City and Merthyr Town go head-to-head at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
The Bluebirds, who were knocked out at this stage last season, have earned 3-1 wins against JD Cymru South sides Afan Lido and Pontypridd United so far. Michael Reindorf, who scored a hat-trick against the Dragons, has since gone on to make his senior debut in the EFL Cup.
Merthyr have also knocked out a pair of second tier clubs so far, dispatching Taffs Well and Ammanford, and will be aiming to avoid a second cup exit in the space of four days after defeat to Bath City in the English FA Cup on Saturday.
Cup holders The New Saints continue their defence of the trophy with a trip to JD Cymru North leaders Airbus UK Broughton.
Craig Harrison’s side triumphed 5-1 over Flint Town United in the last round and will need to get used to playing regular midweek games with UEFA Conference League fixtures on the horizon.
It has been a remarkable start to the season for Airbus as they have won all 12 matches in all competitions, but Tuesday night will no doubt be the toughest challenge to that record.
JD Cymru South leaders Trethomas Bluebirds also host top-flight opposition as Barry Town United visit Ystrad Mynach.
The Bluebirds have comfortably settled into life in the second tier after winning the Ardal South East title last season, while they have beaten Cwmbran Celtic and Baglan Dragons in this competition so far.
Barry are four-time winners of this competition and finalists most recently in 2017, with Steve Jenkins’ side knocking out Llanelli Town on penalties in Round Two.
2022/23 Nathaniel MG Cup winners Bala Town suffered a shock defeat to Guilsfield at this stage last season so they will be hoping to avoid a repeat at home to Holywell Town.
Tommy Hughes’ 86th-minute goal saved the day for the Lakesiders as they won 1-0 at Ruthin Town in the last round.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Holywell have found their groove and have won their last seven matches in all competitions. They have knocked out Caersws and Llay Miners Welfare so far in this cup.
Early JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont host Haverfordwest County in one of two all-top-flight encounters in Round Three.
Bont’s 1-0 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday took them three points clear at the top of the table and they are yet to lose in eight games in all competitions this term, including a 3-0 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel in the last round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Haverfordwest are one of only two clubs to take points off Penybont this season – in a 0-0 draw at the LHP Stadium in August – and the Bluebirds were the biggest winners in Round Two as they thrashed Carmarthen Town 5-0.
The other tie between two top-flight clubs sees Connah’s Quay Nomads host Caernarfon Town, with the sides currently level on points in the JD Cymru Premier table.
The Nomads have reached three of the last four Nathaniel MG Cup finals, winning two of them, but come into this game following two consecutive league defeats. Tuesday night will be manager Billy Paynter’s first taste of this competition after Neil Gibson led the team to a 3-0 away win over Buckley Town in Round Two.
Caernarfon – finalists in 1999 – triumphed over Newtown on penalties in the last round and are now aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years.
Few sides have a better recent record of progressing to the latter stages of this competition than Cardiff Met, who have reached at least the semi-finals in five of the last six editions. Lewis Rees scored a 94th-minute winner as they came from behind to defeat Llantwit Major in the last round.
The Archers host Goytre United on Tuesday night, with the JD Cymru South side appearing in Round Three for the first time following wins over Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Caerau Ely.
Goyt forward Keane Watts is the top scorer in the top two tiers of Welsh football so far this season with 11 goals.
Finally, Aberystwyth Town and Llandudno meet at Park Avenue and will hope that the cup provides some respite from disappointing league campaigns so far.
Aber, who knocked out Colwyn Bay in the last round, have won just one of their opening seven JD Cymru Premier games – losing the last four in a row – and currently sit second from bottom in the table.
It has been a similar story for Llandudno, who are second from bottom in the JD Cymru North after one win in eight matches. Jordan Hadaway’s side knocked out last year’s semi-finalists Guilsfield on penalties in Round Two, after easing past wildcard Newport County a fortnight earlier.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Three – Northern Section
Tuesday 17 September
Airbus UK Broughton v The New Saints (19:45)
Bala Town v Holywell Town (19:45)
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Caernarfon Town (19:45)
Aberystwyth Town v Llandudno (20:00)
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Three – Southern Section
Tuesday 17 September
Cardiff City v Merthyr Town (19:30)
Cardiff Met v Goytre United (19:45)
Penybont v Haverfordwest County (19:45)
Trethomas Bluebirds v Barry Town United (19:45)
