FAW Welsh Cup: Games to watch in Round Two

With Novira Cymru Premier clubs entering the FAW Welsh Cup in Round Two this weekend, there are plenty of exciting ties to look forward to. 

Follow all of the action on the FAW website and Cymru Football app. 

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Briton Ferry Llansawel v Afan United (Friday, 19:45)

There is a local derby to look forward to at the Renewable Centre Stadium on Friday night, as Novira Cymru Premier side Briton Ferry Llansawel host tier four outfit Afan United – live on Cymru Football TV.

Ferry currently sit 11th in the top-flight, having won just three of their 13 matches this season – although two of those did come at home. The Reds were knocked out of the FAW Welsh Cup by Penybont at this stage last season, but reached the Quarter-Finals in back-to-back seasons in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Afan United, based less than five miles down the road, sit fourth in the South Wales Premier League Premier Division, and have already won three cup ties to get to this stage – beating Cwrt Y Vil (2-0), Waunarlwydd Galaxy (6-2) and Penygraig United (4-3) so far.

Afan United’s squad includes 42-year-old Sacha Walters, formerly of Briton Ferry, who won the FAW Welsh Cup with Carmarthen Town in 2007 – scoring in the 3-2 victory over Afan Lido in the final.

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Airbus UK Broughton v The New Saints (Friday, 19:45)

After a shock early exit from the FAW Welsh Cup last season, current top-flight leaders The New Saints will be hoping for a much deeper run in the competition as they prepare to face Airbus UK Broughton at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Friday. 

TNS won their 10th FAW Welsh Cup in the 2024/25 season, but were beaten 2-1 by Cardiff Met in the fourth round last season – the earliest stage Saints have been knocked out at since the 2007/08 campaign. Craig Harrison’s side have been in dazzling form this term as they are on a 12-match winning streak and hold a six-point lead at the top of the Novira Cymru Premier. 

Airbus were also knocked out in the fourth round last season as they lost 1-0 away to eventual finalists Flint Town United. Manager Mark Allen, who won the FAW Welsh Cup as a player with Bangor City in 1998, guided Airbus back into the top-flight and his side are currently the best performing newly-promoted side in the league, sitting in eighth-place. George Peers’ hat-trick helped secure a 4-1 win away to Llandudno last weekend.

It has been a decade since TNS beat Airbus 2-0 in the 2016 FAW Welsh Cup final, with the Saints having also beaten the Wingmakers twice in the competition since then. More recently, goals from Dan Williams and Rory Holden gave TNS a 2-0 league victory over Airbus just over a month ago.

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Llay Welfare v Holywell Town (Saturday, 14:00)

Holywell Town will hope that the FAW Welsh Cup provides some respite from their league campaign as they visit third tier Llay Welfare on Saturday afternoon.

The Wellmen are in the Novira Cymru Premier for the first time since the 1996/97 season but are yet to win a game, picking up just two points from their opening 13 games. Johnny Haseldin’s side are aiming to reach Round Three for just the third time in the last nine years.

Llay Welfare are currently 11th in the Ardal North West, triumphing in their last two league games after winning just one of their first seven. Having triumphed 3-0 over Novira Cymru North side Ruthin Town in the last round, following victories over Llanfyllin Town and Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs, Welfare may smell another upset here. If they were victorious, they would reach Round Three for the first time in their history.

The two sides last met in the Novira Cymru North in the 2024/25 season, when Holywell did the double over Llay with 5-2 and 2-0 victories.

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FC Cwmaman v Ammanford (Saturday, 14:00)

The biggest gap in league positions between opponents in Round Two comes at Canolfan Glanaman as fifth tier FC Cwmaman host top-flight Ammanford.

One of only three sides from tier five left in this season’s competition, FC Cwmaman have knocked out Cwrt Rawlin, Clydach Wasps and third Cardiff Airport so far to reach this stage for the first time in 19 years.

Delme Jenkins’ side currently sit eighth in the South Wales Premier League Championship, having only played four league games so far this term due to cup commitments – winning two and losing two.

After failing to win any of their opening 11 matches in their debut Novira Cymru Premier season, Ammanford have now won back-to-back matches against Holywell Town and Cambrian United to head into cup action with momentum. They are hoping to make Round Three for the third time in four years, but were beaten by lower tier opposition in Goytre United last season. Manager Wyn Thomas was a FAW Welsh Cup winner with Llanelli in 2011.

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Flint Town United v Caernarfon Town (Saturday, 19:45)

FAW Welsh Cup holders Caernarfon Town begin their defence of the trophy in a repeat of last season’s final as they travel to face Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium on Saturday evening – live on Cymru Football TV.

The Cofis made history at Rodney Parade last season by lifting the trophy for the first time with a 3-0 win over Flint thanks to first half goals from Sion Bradley, Matty Jones and Adrian Cieslewicz. Richard Davies’ side are currently fourth in the Novira Cymru Premier and remain unbeaten away from home this season following their 2-1 win over Haverfordwest County last Friday.

Flint, who conceded just one goal in last season’s competition prior to the final, would love nothing more than to gain revenge on Saturday. The Silkmen have made a positive start under new manager Danny Holmes, who won his opening two league games in charge against Ammanford and Haverfordwest County before losing 1-0 to his former club Colwyn Bay last weekend. 

Caernarfon and Flint have already faced off this season as Zack Clarke’s brace inspired the Cofis to a 3-0 league victory at The Oval at the beginning of September.