The showpiece event in the Welsh domestic football calendar is upon us as Connah’s Quay Nomads take on The New Saints in the 2024 JD Welsh Cup final at Rodney Parade on Sunday 28 April (KO 17:25).
Here is all the pre-match insight to get you ready for the final.
The season so far
Connah’s Quay Nomads achieved a second-place finish in the JD Cymru Premier for the second consecutive season after winning 18 of their 32 league games, finishing eight points ahead of third-place Bala Town.
The New Saints finished 33 points ahead of the Nomads as they were crowned JD Cymru Premier champions and became only the second club to go a whole Welsh top-flight season unbeaten. Having also won the Nathaniel MG Cup in January, TNS are now aiming to complete a domestic treble for the first time since 2016.
Road to the final
Connah’s Quay Nomads were handed a tricky tie against fellow top-flight side Caernarfon Town in round two but triumphed 4-1 thanks to Jordan Davies’ hat-trick, while the forward also scored three in their 8-0 home win over Prestatyn Town in the third round.
A pair of Flintshire derby wins over Flint Town United and Buckley Town booked the Nomads’ spot in the semi-finals, where they got revenge for their defeat to Bala Town at the same stage last year by beating the Lakesiders 1-0 courtesy of Aron Williams’ 90th-minute goal.
The New Saints began their defence of the trophy with a 5-0 win away at Ruthin Town in round two as Gwion Dafydd grabbed a hat-trick, before the teenager scored another treble in a 7-0 thrashing over Trethomas Bluebirds in round three.
Two JD Cymru South were next to be downed away from home as TNS triumphed 3-0 over Carmarthen Town and then 5-1 over Briton Ferry Llansawel – although they did go behind in their quarter-final against the Reds. Craig Harrison’s side again survived a scare against Cardiff Met in the semi-finals, as they trailed 2-0 but came back to win 6-2 as Declan McManus scored a hat-trick.
JD Welsh Cup record
Connah’s Quay Nomads are aiming to lift the JD Welsh Cup for just the second time, with their only previous triumph coming in 2018 as they defeated Aberystwyth Town in the final.
They have also been runners-up on two previous occasions – in 1998 and 2019 – and are competing in their first final for five years.
The New Saints are fourth in the list of most Welsh Cup trophies won with nine to their name. A 10th crown on Sunday would see them draw level with Swansea City and sit only behind Wrexham and Cardiff City.
They have lifted the trophy in the last three seasons that the JD Welsh Cup has been held, a remarkable run which has seen them win their last 22 consecutive ties in the competition – stretching back to 2018. The Saints have also lost four finals in their history.
Head-to-head
The two sides have already met on five occasions in league and cup this season, with TNS emerging victorious every time. Their most recent encounter came only last weekend on the final day of the JD Cymru Premier campaign, when two late goals snatched a 2-0 win for Craig Harrison’s men at Park Hall.
The Nomads’ last victory against the Saints came on penalties in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup in August 2022, while they have met in one previous JD Welsh Cup final – when TNS triumphed 3-0 at The Rock in 2019.
Players to watch
Jordan Davies – Connah’s Quay Nomads
With a summer move to Scottish side Greenock Morton on the horizon, the JD Welsh Cup final will be Jordan Davies’ last game as a Connah’s Quay Nomads player and he will be hoping to go out on a high.
After returning to the Nomads from Haverfordwest County last summer, Davies has been his side’s main source of goals this season – scoring 26 times in all competitions, including back-to-back hat-tricks in the JD Welsh Cup.
Ryan Brobbel – The New Saints
No stranger to the big occasion, Ryan Brobbel has won four JD Welsh Cups with The New Saints and scored five goals in finals – including two against Connah’s Quay Nomads in 2019.
Brobbel only returned to TNS’ matchday squad last weekend after a month out with injury so he may not necessarily start at Rodney Parade, but there is no doubting the impact he can have. He averaged a goal contribution every game in the JD Cymru Premier this season – 13 goals and five assists in 18 appearances.
Managers’ thoughts
Neil Gibson, Connah’s Quay Nomads: “TNS are the ultimate test. A lot of credit has to go to what they’re trying to build off the pitch with what they want to look like as a full-time club. Craig coming back has really driven that relentlessness in how they go about things and being the best team in Wales. However, over a 90-minute period, we’ve kind of proven that we can go head-to-head with them.”
Craig Harrison, The New Saints: “It’s a huge test against Connah’s Quay, it always has been, and it always will be. They’ve got a good squad with good and honest players, a few of them which I signed in my time there. There’s others who have been there when they’ve won leagues and cups in the past, and they are a club and a team we have immense respect for.”
Match officials
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones
Assistant Referee 1: Ceri Williams
Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Davis
Fourth Official: Aaron Jones
Reserve Assistant Referee: Richard Dolphin
The Venue
This will be the first time that Rodney Parade has ever hosted the JD Welsh Cup final, while it will also be the venue for next weekend’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup final.
The stadium is home to EFL League Two side Newport County AFC and United Rugby Championship team Dragons RFC.
The JD Welsh Cup Final Fan Zone, located within the grounds of Rodney Parade and free to enter, will open from 14:00pm, with DJ Kay Russant opening the show. Iconic Welsh samba band Samba Galez will get the atmosphere going with their roving performances, before up-and-coming Newport-based band The Rogues take to the stage with their modern, indie-rock sound.
Supporters can also enjoy food & drink from the local vendors, and even have the chance to get their photo taken with the iconic JD Welsh Cup trophy and learn more about the history of the competition at the JD Welsh Cup Experience, located in the fan zone marquee.
Ticket information
If you have purchased tickets to the match in advance, you will need to download and use the Cymru Tickets app to access the stadium.
Tickets are still available to buy in advance by clicking here, priced at £8 for adults and £5 for juniors.
Tickets will also be available at the gate on matchday, but for increased prices of £15 for adults and £10 for juniors.
Television coverage
The final will be broadcast live on S4C in addition to Sgorio’s online platforms, with coverage starting from 5pm.
