Attentions turn back to the Nathaniel MG Cup this weekend, with Round Two seeing the JD Cymru Premier clubs kick off their domestic campaigns.
Cup holders The New Saints will be aiming to lift the trophy for the third successive season, but must get over their disappointment of exiting Europe after the midweek defeat against FC Differdange 03 in Luxembourg.
Craig Harrison’s side host Airbus UK Broughton on Saturday, after the Wingmakers started the JD Cymru North season with a 3-0 win away at Buckley Town last weekend – inspired by George Peers’ hat-trick.
The two sides met in Round Three of this competition last season, as well as Round 5 of the JD Welsh Cup, with TNS progressing on both occasions on their way to securing the treble.
Haverfordwest County and Penybont also return to domestic action following their European adventures.
The Bluebirds, beaten by Maltese side Floriana in the UEFA Conference League, host Newport City on Saturday as they aim to reach Round Three for the sixth time in seven seasons.
Newport City triumphed 2-0 over Baglan Dragons in their first round tie, before the Steelmen beat Afan Lido 1-0 in their league opener last weekend. New signing Kayne McLaggon scored in both victories.
Penybont exited the UEFA Conference League with defeat to Kauno Zalgiris and now travel to Trefelin on Saturday afternoon.
Rhys Griffiths’ side were quarter-finalists last season, but Trefelin have started the campaign with victory over Caerau Ely in Round One and Trethomas Bluebirds on the opening day of the JD Cymru South. The Port Talbot side have not reached the third round of this competition for four years.
Last season’s Nathaniel MG Cup runners-up Aberystwyth Town are on the road in Round Two as they travel to Barry Town United on Saturday.
February’s final came amidst Aber’s ultimately unsuccessful relegation battle in the JD Cymru Premier, but they started life in the JD Cymru South with a 2-1 win away at Llantwit Major last weekend.
Barry have won this competition on four previous occasions – most recently in 2000 – and were semi-finalists last season. The Linnets have won four out of their last five matches against Aberystwyth.
The only all-JD Cymru Premier tie comes at the Go Goodwins Stadium, as Caernarfon Town play their first competitive match at their temporary home against Colwyn Bay on Friday night.
The Cofis will hope to make a strong start to the new campaign after the heartbreak of losing last season’s JD Cymru Premier European play-off final, but they must do so without Louis Lloyd who has joined St. Johnstone.
Colwyn Bay have strengthened significantly after winning promotion from the JD Cymru North last season, but they are aiming to reach Round Three for only the second time. The Seagulls have also lost both of their previous meetings with Caernarfon.
Wildcards Swansea City make the trip to Afan Lido – three-time winners of the Nathaniel MG Cup – on Friday night.
Caleb Demery’s brace inspired the Swans to a 4-1 win away at Carmarthen Town in Round One, while Lido also saw their new frontman make his mark as Lewis Reed’s double earned a 2-1 win at Llantwit Major. Garry Taylor’s men were beaten 1-0 by Newport City in the JD Cymru South last weekend.
This year’s other wildcard side Cardiff City are also in action on Friday night, as they travel to Cambrian United.
Both sides required penalties to progress from Round One, with the Bluebirds defeating Ammanford and the Cam Army triumphing over Treowen Stars.
Penalties were also needed when the two teams met in Round One of this competition two years ago, with City progressing on that occasion. Cambrian have not made it past Round Two since reaching the final in 2019, but will be in a confident mood after a 4-0 win over Treowen Stars on the opening weekend of the JD Cymru South.
Buckley Town were the biggest winners in Round One as they triumphed 4-0 against Holyhead Hotspur, setting up a home tie against Newtown.
The two sides made contrasting starts to the JD Cymru North season last weekend, with the Bucks beaten 3-0 by Airbus and the Robins winning 3-0 against Ruthin Town. However, Newtown have lost in Round Two in each of the last three seasons.
There will be history made in the Rhondda on Saturday, as Ynyshir Albions face a top-flight team for the first time in their history by hosting Llanelli Town.
The Buns won 4-1 against Cardiff Draconians in Round One but were beaten 4-1 by Caerau Ely on the opening weekend of the JD Cymru South last weekend.
Nathaniel MG Cup
Llanelli, newly-promoted into the JD Cymru Premier, have not made it past Round Two of this competition for 13 years, but triumphed 7-2 over Ynyshir Albions in their last meeting in April 2023.
John Disney takes charge of his first competitive Connah’s Quay Nomads game as the three-time cup winners travel to Ruthin Town on Friday night.
Disney captained the Nomads when the two sides last met in the quarter-finals of this competition three years ago, as an Anderson Pinto brace secured a 2-0 victory.
Ruthin enjoyed a penalty shootout victory over Penrhyncoch in Round One, but were then beaten 3-0 by Newtown in their league opener last Friday. They have been knocked out at this stage in three of the last four seasons.
A new era also begins at Bala Town as Steve Fisher takes the Lakesiders away to Guilsfield, after Colin Caton’s 22-year spell in charge of the club came to an end earlier in the summer.
The hosts have made a strong start to the new campaign, winning 3-0 over Mold Alexandra in Round One before a 3-1 victory against Gresford Athletic in the JD Cymru North last weekend.
Guilsfield caused an upset by beating Bala 1-0 in this competition two years ago, after the Lakesiders had lifted the trophy the previous season. The Powys side went on to reach the semi-finals that campaign.
Round Two offers up a Flintshire derby at the Essity Stadium as Flint Town United host Holywell Town on Saturday.
Flint have only made it past this stage once in the last four years, while in contrast Holywell – who triumphed 2-1 over Flint Mountain in the league last weekend – have won each of their last three Round Two ties.
Jamie Breese scored the only goal as Holywell won 1-0 in the last meeting between the sides in February 2024 – the Wellmen’s first victory against Flint in six games.
Denbigh Town will hope to continue their bright start to the season when they travel to Rhyl 1879 on Saturday.
Dewi Llion’s side won 3-1 against Flint Mountain Round One before a 3-2 victory over Caersws in their JD Cymru North opener last week. The Reds reached the final of this competition in 2016 but have not made it past Round Two since then.
Rhyl have also beaten Caersws this term, triumphing 2-1 over the Bluebirds in Round One thanks to former Denbigh man Paul Fleming’s late winner. The Lilywhites kicked off their first season in the JD Cymru North with a goalless draw against fellow newly-promoted side Brickfield Rangers.
Llandudno and Gresford Athletic meet at the Go Goodwins Stadium on Saturday after contrasting starts to the JD Cymru North season last weekend.
Llandudno, aiming to reach Round Three for only the second time in seven years, triumphed 1-0 over Holyhead Hotspur, while Gresford were beaten 3-1 by Guilsfield after a 3-0 win over Brickfield Rangers in the first round of this competition seven days earlier.
If last season is anything to go by, goals are guaranteed in this fixture as Llandudno won 5-2 and 4-3 respectively.
Cardiff Met will aim to continue their strong record in the Nathaniel MG Cup when they host Pontypridd United on Saturday.
The Archers, who have won the last seven meetings between the two sides, lifted the trophy in 2019 and have reached at least the semi-finals in five of the last seven seasons.
Pontypridd’s new-look side progressed on penalties against Cwmbran Celtic in Round One but were then beaten 3-0 by Baglan Dragons in the JD Cymru South opener last weekend.
Trethomas Bluebirds will aim to bounce back from late heartbreak on the opening day of the JD Cymru South when they travel to Briton Ferry Llansawel.
The Bluebirds, who reached Round Three on their Nathaniel MG Cup debut last season, conceded in the 98thminute to lose 2-1 against Trefelin last week.
Ferry may hand competitive debuts to the likes of Jonathan Evans and Sam Snaith as they target victory in a cup they reached the quarter-finals of two years ago.
