The 2024/25 Welsh Blood Service League Cup kicks off this weekend with Round One fixtures for all 32 JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South sides.
Last season’s national champions Mold Alexandra begin their defence of the trophy at home against Holywell Town on Saturday.
It is a repeat of last year’s first round one tie which Mold won 3-2, kicking off an impressive cup run which was concluded with a 4-2 victory over Briton Ferry Llansawel in the final.
Mold come into this game off the back of an emphatic 7-0 victory over Prestatyn Town on Monday, while Holywell have won their last three matches to climb to second in the JD Cymru North table.
Llandudno were last season’s Northern section runners-up and begin their campaign this year with a first round trip to Airbus UK Broughton on Saturday.
The Wingmakers have made a flying start to the season and have won all eight of their matches in all competitions so far, but were knocked out in the first round of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in 2023/24.
Llandudno will hope the cup can provide a boost to their fortunes, as they have won just one of six games in the JD Cymru North so far and have suffered back-to-back defeats to Bangor 1876 and Flint Mountain.
Colwyn Bay lifted the Northern section trophy in 2022/23 and return to the competition with an away tie against debutants Flint Mountain.
Both sides struck late winning goals in their last outings, with Mountain triumphing 2-1 over Llandudno and Bay defeating Buckley Town by the same scoreline to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
Penrhyncoch enjoyed one of the most impressive bank holiday weekends in the JD Cymru North with back-to-back wins and they will hope to continue that good form against Prestatyn Town on Saturday.
The Seasiders, who were Northern section semi-finalists last season, have suffered two 7-0 defeats in their last three matches and currently find themselves in the JD Cymru North relegation zone.
Gresford Athletic and Denbigh Town meet in Round One at The Rock just eight days after they faced off at Central Park in the league.
Dewi Llion’s side triumphed 5-1 on that occasion as Nathan Brown scored a hat-trick, but both sides then suffered bank holiday Monday defeats.
It has been a strong start to the season for Bangor 1876, who are up to third in the JD Cymru North table after two wins over the bank holiday weekend.
Mike Johnston’s side kick off their campaign in this competition with a trip to Caersws, who won their opening three league matches of the season but have since lost their last two.
The only Friday night tie in the Northern section sees Buckley Town face competition debutants Llay Miners Welfare at The Globe.
The Bucks have lost in the first round in each of the last two seasons, but have made a bright start to the season – losing for the first time in the JD Cymru North on Monday against Colwyn Bay.
The Welfare are currently rooted to the bottom of the JD Cymru North table and are the only side in the division without a win to their name.
Sunday’s only fixture sees in-form Guilsfield travel to Ruthin Town, six days after they met in the JD Cymru North.
Joe Haycock’s double helped the Guils triumph 3-1 – their third consecutive victory – while Ruthin have lost three of their last four matches but did win 7-0 against Prestatyn Town a fortnight ago.
In the Southern section, current JD Cymru South leaders Trethomas Bluebirds host Caerau Ely less than a week after both sides played out a 2-2 draw in the league.
Brandon Griffiths scored a 90th-minute equaliser for the Young Guns in that game and they will now aim to be the first side this season to beat the Bluebirds, who are making their debut in this competition after promotion from the Ardal South East.
Last season’s Southern section runners-up Llanelli Town will aim to go one step further this year and they begin in Round One away at Newport City.
Both sides have made strong starts to the JD Cymru South season, with the Reds still unbeaten after a 3-0 win over Pontypridd United on Monday and Newport sitting in fourth place after their promotion from the Ardal South East.
Afan Lido and Carmarthen Town both won 4-1 on Monday against Goytre United and Cambrian United respectively, so will hope to build on that in the cup.
That was Lido’s much-needed first win of the campaign, while Carmarthen are now unbeaten in their last five matches and up to third in the league table.
An impressive start to the JD Cymru South season sees Trefelin sit second in the table and they host fifth-place Cambrian United in Round One.
A Lee Trundle-Trefelin have made an impressive start to the JD Cymru South season and currently sit second in the table.
A new-look Cam Army side went unbeaten in their first five league games, but are hoping to avenge their disappointing 4-1 loss to Carmarthen Town on Monday.
Goytre United and Pontypridd United will both be hoping to bounce back from heavy Monday defeats when they meet at Glenhafod Park. Goytre were beaten 4-1 by Afan Lido while Pontypridd suffered a 3-0 loss to Llanelli Town.
The two sides played out a 3-3 draw in the league a fortnight ago, with Ponty teenager Ollie Young scoring a 96th-minute equaliser.
Ammanford reached the Southern section semi-finals last season and will hope this competition will again provide some inspiration after recording just one win from their opening six league matches.
Wyn Thomas’ side host Llantwit Major, who won back-to-back matches over the bank holiday weekend to rise to seventh in the JD Cymru South table.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Baglan Dragons meet at Glasbrook Field in a repeat of their JD Cymru South opening day fixture.
It finished goalless that day, which is the only point the Rangers have picked up so far. The Dragons are also struggling for form as they are winless in their last four games – a run which has seen them slip into the relegation zone.
Cwmbran Celtic and Taffs Well go head-to-head in Round One a week after meeting in the JD Cymru South.
David Lyon scored a 96th-minute for the Wellmen in that game, but they were then beaten 4-1 on Monday by Llantwit Major. In contrast, Celtic recovered with a 4-0 over Ammanford.
