This season’s Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finalists are confirmed following an action-packed set of third round ties on Tuesday night.
Cardiff Met were the standout performers of the round as Ryan Jenkins’ side came from behind to defeat Goytre United 9-1 at Cyncoed Campus.
Keane Watts’ prolific start to the season continued as he headed Goytre into the lead with just four minutes on the clock, but Jac Clay levelled the contest with his first Met goal 12 minutes later.
The final 24 minutes of the half were nothing short of remarkable for the Archers, as they scored five more times to make it 6-1 at the break. Lewis Rees and Tom Vincent netted either side of an own goal from Goytre goalkeeper Luke Jones, Clay grabbed his second of the night and Sam Jones got in on the act in stoppage time.
There was no let up from Ryan Jenkins’ side after the break as Vincent headed home his second goal just three minutes into the second while Jake Morris came off the bench to bag a brace in the final 10 minutes to complete Met’s biggest win in almost a decade.
Nathaniel MG Cup
A dramatic late double from substitute Jonathan Evans saw Aberystwyth Town stage a thrilling comeback to triumph 3-2 against Llandudno at Park Avenue.
The JD Cymru North side appeared to be on the cusp of an upset when Dan Jones’ stunning strike and Adam Stephens’ smart finish turned the game around following an impressive half volley from Aber’s Niall Flint which opened the scoring.
However, Evans came off the bench to equalise in the 90th minute before sending a rocket of a strike into the top corner in the eighth minute of stoppage time to book Aberystwyth’s place in the last eight for the first time since 2019/20.
Cup holders The New Saints continued their defence of the trophy with a 1-0 win away to Airbus UK Broughton.
The decisive moment arrived in first half stoppage time when Airbus goalkeeper Keighan Jones could not fully deal with a low shot from Sion Bradley, which allowed Adrian Cieslewicz to slide in and tap the ball home at the back post.
Wingmakers midfielder George Peers was sent off for a second yellow card offence in the 67th minute, while TNS also finished the game with 10 men as teenage academy product Oli Blayney received his marching orders with five minutes to play.
Cardiff City won the battle of wildcards as the young Bluebirds defeated Merthyr Town 2-1 at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium.
Michael Reindorf, who scored a hat-trick in the previous round, put City ahead with a clinical finish on the counter-attack early in the second half.
The forward wrapped up victory in the 89th minute by tapping home on the goal line from Trey George’s initial effort, before Noah Smerdon pulled a consolation goal back for Merthyr in stoppage time.
Connah’s Quay Nomads earned their first home win of the season as Billy Paynter’s team ran out 3-2 against Caernarfon Town in an entertaining all top-flight clash.
Paynter made 10 changes from Sunday’s league defeat to Penybont and his side trailed to Adam Davies’ opener in the 29th minute, but Dan Roberts slammed home an equaliser seven minutes later.
In a lively end to the first half, Caernarfon led again through Danny Gosset but Luca Hogan volleyed home another Nomads equaliser in stoppage time.
The winning moment came 15 minutes from time as Nomads’ teenage debutant Brad Barnes delivered an accurate corner into summer signing Elliott Dugan, who powerfully headed home for his first goal for the club.
Barry Town United booked their place in the quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-1 victory away at Trethomas Bluebirds.
A first half double from Keenan Patten sent the Linnets on their way to victory before Ollie Hulbert finished off a well-worked attacking move to make it three early in the second half.
Mikey George added a fourth from close range just after the hour mark to put the game beyond any doubt, but the Bluebirds did get on the scoresheet as Jack Jones produced a neat finish in the 79th minute.
Hussein Mehasseb continued his bright start to life at Bala Town as his brace secured a 2-0 win over Holywell Town at Maes Tegid.
Mehasseb gave the Lakesiders the lead in first half stoppage time with a finish from close range before he added a second in the 79th minute by firing home from Nathan Burke’s cross.
Current JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont progressed to the quarter-finals as Owen Pritchard’s stunning strike secured a 1-0 home win against Haverfordwest County.
Pritchard’s winning goal arrived with 53 minutes on the clock as Bont’s summer signing sent a powerful effort beyond Ifan Knott from around 30 yards out. This is the first time Penybont have reached the last eight since the 2014/15 season.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Three results
Northern Section
Airbus UK Broughton 0-1 The New Saints
Bala Town 2-0 Holywell Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-2 Caernarfon Town
Aberystwyth Town 3-2 Llandudno
Southern Section
Cardiff City 2-1 Merthyr Town
Cardiff Met 9-1 Goytre United
Penybont 1-0 Haverfordwest County
Trethomas Bluebirds 1-4 Barry Town United
