Rodney Parade is getting closer, but which teams will make it to the Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals?
Follow all of this weekend’s action on the Cymru Football app.
Aberystwyth Town v Pontypridd United (Sunday, 2pm)
Aberystwyth Town and Pontypridd United were both beaten in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup quarter-finals last season, but one will go a step further this time around.
It has been a tricky campaign for 2023 semi-finalists Aber, who sit just three points above the Genero Adran Premier relegation zone with only one league victory to their name. However, this competition has provided some much-needed respite as they have recorded 8-0 wins away at Rhyl 1879 and NFA so far.
Genero Adran South leaders Pontypridd – who reached the semi-finals in 2022 – are the only second tier side left in the competition after progressing past Ammanford, Penybont and Johnstown. A young Dragons side have three wins in their last four games as they attempt to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.
Rebecca Mathias scored an 86th-minute equaliser as the two sides drew 1-1 in their last meeting in the Genero Adran Premier in January last year.
Briton Ferry Llansawel v The New Saints (Sunday, 2pm)
A week on from lifting the Genero Adran Trophy, The New Saints go in pursuit of more cup glory as they travel to Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Both sides have enjoyed impressive seasons, emerging as surprise title contenders in the Genero Adran Premier. Briton Ferry currently sit second in the table, two points ahead of the third-place Saints. Both of their league meetings so far this term have ended level, while TNS staged a dramatic late comeback to win 3-2 in the Genero Adran Trophy semi-final last month.
Ferry reached the final of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup while still a second tier side in 2023 and have won away at Taffs Well and Penydarren so far this season, but will be pleased to be back at Old Road where they have not lost in over two years.
TNS have also been on the road in the previous two rounds, winning 6-0 against both Pwllheli and Llandudno. Shauna Duffy’s side are targeting a place in the semi-finals for the second consecutive season.
Cardiff City v Barry Town United (Sunday, 2pm)
Cup holders Cardiff City continue their defence of the trophy as they host Barry Town United, having so far progressed past Penclawdd and Cascade despite trailing in both ties.
The Bluebirds, who are currently five points clear at the top of the Genero Adran Premier after three successive wins, have won this competition in each of the last three seasons – last losing a Bute Energy Welsh Cup tie in March 2019 against Abergavenny.
This is Barry’s first appearance in the quarter-finals since 2022, after winning 5-0 against fellow top-flight side Cardiff Met and narrowly avoiding an upset by beating Caldicot Town on penalties.
The two league meetings between the clubs this season have seen Cardiff emerge victorious 3-0 and 3-1 respectively, with Bluebirds forward Fiona Barry scoring in both encounters.
Wrexham v Swansea City (Sunday, 2pm)
Familiar foes go head-to-head once more as last season’s beaten cup finalists Wrexham host three-time winners Swansea City at The Rock.
The two sides last met only last month in the Genero Adran Trophy semi-final when Swansea emerged victorious, while they will also face off again next weekend in a crucial fixture at the end of Phase One in the Genero Adran Premier.
Wrexham have earned emphatic 11-0 and 10-0 victories against Llanystumdwy and Felinheli respectively to reach this stage, while Steve Dale’s side have also found form in the league of late by picking up 10 points from the last 12 available to climb to fifth place.
Swansea will hope to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat in the Genero Adran Trophy final – their fourth defeat in seven games – as they aim to take a step closer to lifting the Bute Energy Welsh Cup for the first time since 2018. Wins away at Talycopa and Carmarthen Town have seen them reach the last eight.
