It’s semi-final time in the Nathaniel MG Cup, with two enticing ties to look forward to this weekend.
The first encounter sees Aberystwyth Town host Cardiff City at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon (KO 14:30).
Aber are currently bottom of the JD Cymru Premier after winning just three of their first 17 league matches of the campaign, but the Nathaniel MG Cup has provided some respite from their struggles.
The Seasiders progressed past JD Cymru North sides Colwyn Bay and Llandudno – scoring a 98th-minute winner against the latter – before causing somewhat of a surprise by triumphing 2-1 away at Connah’s Quay Nomads in the last round to book a semi-final spot for the first time in five years.
After a drawn out managerial hunt, Antonio Corbisiero is back in the dugout at Park Avenue. His first game in charge ended in a 3-0 defeat away at Cardiff Met last weekend, but there would no better way to kick start his reign by securing the club’s place in the Nathaniel MG Cup final for the first time.
Now in their second consecutive season as a wildcard entry, Cardiff City have reached the last four courtesy of wins over Afan Lido, Pontypridd United, Merthyr Town and Cardiff Met.
The Bluebirds looked set to exit the competition against the Archers in the quarter-finals as they trailed 2-1 after 85 minutes, but two late goals from Michael Reindorf dramatically turned the tie around.
19-year-old Reindorf is the competition’s top scorer this season with seven goals in four matches – including a hat-trick against Pontypridd United – and was named on Cardiff’s first team bench for the EFL Championship game against Queens Park Rangers in midweek.
The other semi-final takes place on Sunday evening between two former winners of the Nathaniel MG Cup, Barry Town United and The New Saints, at Jenner Park (KO 17:45).
Barry have lifted the trophy on four previous occasions and were finalists most recently in 2017 when they were beaten by the Saints at Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed Campus.
Steve Jenkins’ side have found form in the JD Cymru Premier of late, rising to fifth in the table thanks to a run of four wins in their last five matches. Their only defeat in that period came when TNS triumphed 4-1 at Jenner Park at the start of November.
Yet the Linnets will have hope of getting the better of the Saints this time, having knocked out JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont in the quarter-finals. That followed wins over JD Cymru South highflyers Llanelli Town and Trethomas Bluebirds.
Sunday’s tie comes at the end of a huge week for TNS, who came from two goals down to win 3-2 against JD Cymru Premier title rivals Penybont last Saturday before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Swedish side Djurgarden in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.Â
The Saints are the current holders of the Nathaniel MG Cup after a 5-1 victory over Swansea City in last season’s final and have won the competition on a record 10 previous occasions.
This season, Craig Harrison’s side have progressed past Flint Town United, Airbus UK Broughton and Bala Town to book their place in the last four.
