Following the opening weekend in the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South, attentions now turn back to the Nathaniel MG Cup in Round Two.
Having been in European action over the last month, last season’s Nathaniel MG Cup winners The New Saints get their domestic season underway by hosting Flint Town United on Friday night.
The Silkmen are preparing for life back in the top-flight following promotion from the JD Cymru North last season but they could not have asked for a much tougher tie.
It is one of three all-JD Cymru Premier meetings in the second round, with the other newly-promoted side Briton Ferry Llansawel hosting Penybont on Saturday afternoon.
It will be an intriguing encounter at Old Road, with the two sides also meeting on the opening weekend of the league campaign eight days later.
Meanwhile, Caernarfon Town’s focus will turn back to domestic matters following their maiden European adventure as they travel to Newtown on Sunday afternoon.
It will be an immediate return to Latham Park for Ryan Sears and Matty Jones, who joined the Cofis from the Robins this summer.
Two wildcard sides remain in the competition and both have been handed home ties against JD Cymru South opposition.
On Friday night, Cardiff City meet Pontypridd United, who have former Bluebirds such as Jamie Veale and Dan Griffiths in their side.
Coincidentally, both teams’ first match of the campaign came against Afan Lido – with Cardiff triumphing 3-1 over them in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup and Ponty winning 3-2 in their JD Cymru South opener last weekend.
Merthyr Town are the other remaining wildcard outfit after they won 3-1 away at Taffs Well in Round One.
The Martyrs now host last year’s JD Cymru South third-place side Ammanford, who were received a bye through to this stage.
Gruff Harrison’s men reached the quarter-finals of this competition in 2022/23, but were beaten by Newport City in their league opener last weekend.
The second round draw has thrown up a couple of local derbies, including Buckley Town against Connah’s Quay Nomads on Saturday afternoon.
The Bucks were the biggest winners in Round One as they thrashed Prestatyn Town 5-1, while the Nomads kick off their domestic campaign after competing in Europe earlier this month.
The two sides also met in the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals last season, when Neil Gibson’s side triumphed 4-1.
Meanwhile in west Wales, Carmarthen Town host Haverfordwest County on Saturday afternoon.
The Old Gold progressed past Cambrian United in Round One but will be hoping to bounce back from a late 2-1 home defeat to Goytre United in their JD Cymru South opener.
Greg Walters joined Haverfordwest this summer after six years with Carmarthen, but it is a swift return to the LHP Stadium for the former Old Gold skipper.
Another tie to look out for could be Aberystwyth Town’s trip to Colwyn Bay on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides were locked in the JD Cymru Premier relegation battle last season, with the Seasiders ultimately surviving as the Seagulls went down.
Now under the guidance of Michael Wilde, it was a nightmare start to life back in the JD Cymru North for the Bay as they were beaten 4-0 on home turf by Bangor 1876 last weekend.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Two – Northern Section
Friday 2 August
Ruthin Town v Bala Town (19:45)
The New Saints v Flint Town United (19:45)
Saturday 3 August
Buckley Town v Connah’s Quay Nomads (14:30)
Colwyn Bay v Aberystwyth Town (14:30)
Gresford Athletic v Airbus UK Broughton (14:30)
Holywell Town v Llay Miners Welfare (14:30)
Llandudno v Guilsfield (14:30)
Sunday 4 August
Newtown v Caernarfon Town (14:30)
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Two – Southern Section
Friday 2 August
Cardiff City v Pontypridd United (19:30)
Goytre United v Caerau Ely (19:30)
Barry Town United v Llanelli Town (19:45)
Trethomas Bluebirds v Baglan Dragons (19:45)
Saturday 3 August
Briton Ferry Llansawel v Penybont (14:00)
Carmarthen Town v Haverfordwest County (14:30)
Llantwit Major v Cardiff Met (14:30)
Merthyr Town v Ammanford (14:30)
