With the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South seasons now complete, attention in the second tier turns to the UEFA Regions’ Cup play-offs over the next two weekends.
The first leg will take place at Denbigh Town’s Central Park on Saturday 4 May (KO 14:30), before the second leg at Ynys Park in Trefelin on Sunday 12 May (KO 14:30).
But what exactly is at stake? And who is involved? Read on to find out everything you need to know.
What is the UEFA Regions’ Cup?
The UEFA Regions’ Cup is a unique amateur tournament held every two years which features players who have never competed at any professional level. European associations select regional sides to compete against each other.
What is Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru?
The FAW is represented in the UEFA Regions’ Cup by Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru (Wales Regional Team), made up of players from the second tier and below of Welsh domestic football.
This month’s play-offs will decide whether it is the North Wales team or the South Wales team who will represent Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru in the upcoming edition of the competition.
Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru have been drawn in a group with the RAT (Regional Amateur Teams) from Serbia, Slovakia and North Macedonia in the intermediate round, with matches to be played in Serbia in September.
The eight intermediate round group winners will qualify for the finals – to be held, in principle, in the first two weeks of either June or July 2025 and hosted by one of the qualifiers.
What happened last time?
It was the North Wales side, then led by Guy Handscombe, who represented Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru in 2022 after triumphing 4-2 over their South Wales opponents in the two-legged play-off.
The first leg finished 0-0 at Denbigh Town’s Central Park before Aiden Lewis’ brace gave the South Wales team a two-goal lead in the second leg at Briton Ferry’s Old Road, but goals from Liam Morris, Jamie Cumming, Dylan Allshorn and Jake Cooke saw the North Wales side stage a dramatic comeback.
In the intermediate round, held in Northern Ireland, Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru won two of their three matches – including an 8-0 victory over Sweden’s RAT – but agonisingly missed out on topping the group by one point.
Porthmadog’s Rhys Alun Williams finished as the joint-top scorer in the intermediate round with four goals.
Who are the key names to watch out for?
Guilsfield boss Nathan Leonard takes charge of the North Wales squad off the back of guiding his club to an eighth-place finish in the JD Cymru North and the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals this season.
Iwan Matthews netted 20 league goals for Leonard at Guilsfield this season and he will no doubt be a key attacking threat in these play-offs alongside Mold Alexandra striker Danny Warren, who finished the campaign with 34 goals in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Holywell Town pair Danny Sullivan and Morgan Murray will aim to conclude their seasons with more success after lifting the JD Cymru North title.
In the other dugout, Andy Hill leads the South Wales squad after his Trefelin team finished 11th in the JD Cymru South this season.
JD Cymru South golden boot winner Alex Bonthron will be expected to lead the line after his 30-goal haul this season, while exciting teenager Roan Piper – who plays for Hill at Trefelin – will also be one to watch after hitting 18 league goals in an impressive campaign.
There are also two players from the third tier in Hill’s squad as Canton goalkeeper Suleimane Susso and Swansea University defender Noah Osborne are rewarded for their performances in the Ardal South West this season.
How can I watch the play-offs?
Central Park in Denbigh hosts the first leg on Saturday 4 May (KO 14:30), with entry costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
The same admission prices will apply for the second leg at Trefelin’s Ynys Park on Sunday 12 May (KO 14:30).
You will also be able to follow both matches on the Cymru Football app and JD Cymru Leagues social media platforms.
