Easter Monday brings the Semi-Final ties in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup, with this season marking the first time that the competition is non-regionalised at this stage.
Cup holders Airbus UK Broughton will aim to make it back-to-back finals when they host Afan Lido (KO 14:30).
The Wingmakers have already secured a place in the JD Cymru North top three and are still in with a shot of the title, having won 13 of their last 14 league games – most recently a 3-0 victory away at Holywell Town on Friday.
Mark Allen’s side have reached the last four of this competition courtesy of wins over Mold Alexandra (3-1), Holywell (2-0) and Newtown (3-1), with Danny Warren – who is aiming to lift the trophy for the third successive campaign – netting in every round.
It has been a challenging season for Afan Lido, but Lee Surman’s side travel to north Wales in impressive form. They have won their last four matches in succession, having only won four of their previous 22, with Friday’s 4-1 victory over Cwmbran Celtic lifting them up to 11th in the JD Cymru South table.
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Having never previously made it past the second round of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup, Lido have earned wins over Ynyshir Albions (1-0), Baglan Dragons (5-1) and (4-2) – all away from home – to reach the Semi-Finals this term. Brandon Roberts has starred with a goal in every round so far.
Airbus have won the last five meetings between the two sides, but Monday’s tie will be their first encounter since they went head-to-head in the JD Cymru Premier in 2013.
The other Semi-Final sees Buckley Town host Treowen Stars (KO 14:30) after both sides suffered heavy league defeats on Good Friday.
Buckley were beaten 6-0 at home by Brickfield Rangers, their ninth defeat in 10 league games which means they have now slipped to 12th in the JD Cymru North table following a promising start to the campaign.
The Bucks had lost in Round One of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in each of the last three seasons, but have put together a strong run in the competition this term courtesy of a trio of away wins against Holyhead Hotspur (2-1), Ruthin Town (2-1) and Guilsfield (3-1).
Treowen Stars’ 6-0 defeat away at Trefelin on Friday was their third successive loss, so they too will be looking at this cup to provide a memorable end to the season. Ben Murphy’s side currently sit 11th in the JD Cymru South table, in what is their first campaign in tier two.Â
That means this has also been their debut year in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup and they have impressed with wins over JD Cymru South promotion hopefuls Caerau Ely and Ammanford – defeating the latter on penalties – before a 2-1 victory against Llantwit Major in the quarter-finals.
