It is time for the regional semi-finals of the 2023/24 Welsh Blood Service League Cup, with eight clubs remaining across the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South.
Mold Alexandra and Denbigh Town currently sit fourth and fifth respectively in the JD Cymru North table and they meet in one of the Northern section’s semi-finals on Saturday.
Mold, who have won their last five matches and are yet to lose on home turf this season, knocked out JD Cymru North title challengers Holywell Town in round one before victory over Guilsfield in round two.
Denbigh have also reached this stage as a result of beating promotion contenders – triumphing 4-3 in a thriller against Flint Town United in the last round after a 6-2 win over Buckley Town in round one. That makes Dewi Llion’s side the highest-scoring team in the competition this season.
The two sides have already met twice in the JD Cymru North this term, with Dan Parry-Jones scoring a 95th-minute winner in Denbigh’s 3-2 victory in November before Mold Alexandra triumphed 2-0 the following month.
The Northern section’s other semi-final takes place between Prestatyn Town and Llandudno at Bastion Gardens on Friday night.
Both clubs have been embroiled in the JD Cymru North relegation battle this term, with Prestatyn currently two points above the drop zone in 12th place and Llandudno two points better off in 11th position.
Prestatyn have reached this stage after beating Gresford Athletic 4-1 before needing a penalty shootout to progress past Ruthin Town, while Llandudno have defeated Chirk AAA and Llanidloes Town.
Jordan Hadaway’s side have been 3-2 victors in both of the two league encounters between the teams this season, remarkably coming from two goals down to triumph on both occasions.
Briton Ferry Llansawel reached the Southern section final of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup last season and they will aim to book their spot their again when they travel to Ammanford on Saturday.
The Reds are currently seven points clear at the top of the JD Cymru South and have won seven of their last nine matches in all competitions. They are the only side yet to concede a goal in this cup so far this season, having earned clean sheet wins away at Baglan Dragons and Pontardawe Town so far.
In contrast, Ammanford won a thrilling contest 5-4 against Taffs Well in round one before triumphing 3-0 against Carmarthen Town in round one. They also defeated the Old Gold in their last league outing, cementing their position in fifth place in the JD Cymru South table.
Briton Ferry have already knocked Ammanford out of the Nathaniel MG Cup this season, while they were also triumphant over Gruff Harrison’s side in this competition in 2022/23 – winning their round one encounter via a penalty shootout.
The Southern section’s other semi-final also takes place on Saturday afternoon as Llanelli Town host Cambrian & Clydach Vale.
Cambrian & Clydach have reached this stage courtesy of home victories over Llantwit Major and Caerau Ely. The Rhondda outfit are currently seventh in the JD Cymru South, having lost their most recent fixture against Carmarthen.
Louis Gerrard scored a 97th-minute equaliser when the two sides drew 1-1 in the league earlier this season, while the Reds were 4-0 winners when they met in the first round of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in 2022/23.
