We’re down to the final 16 teams in this season’s JD Welsh Cup, and after both of last year’s finalists were dumped out in the previous round, every team may feel they have a chance of lifting the trophy.
Follow all of the action on the FAW website and Cymru Football app.
Porthmadog v Rhyl 1879 (Saturday, 2pm)
While the other seven ties see northern clubs face southern opposition, the one all-north affair sees Porthmadog host Rhyl 1879.
Third tier Port, currently second in the Ardal North West, are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years and have already knocked out two JD Cymru North sides – Denbigh Town and Buckley Town – on penalties before Liam Morris scored a 96th-minute winner against Port Talbot in the last round.
This is Rhyl 1879’s first appearance in Round Four since the phoenix club was formed in 2020, with wins over Pwllheli, Brickfield Rangers and Cwmbran Town seeing the Lilywhites reach this stage. Paul Moore’s side currently sit eighth in the JD Cymru North, earning an impressive 3-1 win over high-flyers Holywell Town last weekend.
The two sides last met in the Ardal North West last season, when Porthmadog triumphed 2-1 at Y Traeth before Rhyl won 3-1 in the reverse fixture.
Cardiff Met v Caernarfon Town (Saturday, 5:25pm)
One of two all-JD Cymru Premier ties in Round Four, Cardiff Met host Caernarfon Town in Saturday evening’s live fixture on S4C.
Cardiff Met caused the biggest shock of the last round by triumphing 2-1 at home over The New Saints, scoring two late goals to dump out the cup holders in dramatic fashion. The Archers, currently sixth in the top-flight, are now aiming to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time in the last five years.
Cardiff Met v Caernarfon Town
Caernarfon’s 4-0 win over Penrhyncoch in the last round – inspired by Josh Lock’s hat-trick – saw the Cofis reach Round Four for the first time since 2021/22, while they are targeting a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years. Richard Davies’ side have slipped to fourth in the league standings in recent weeks.
The two sides have already met twice in the JD Cymru Premier this season. Darren Thomas scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to earn Caernarfon a 2-2 draw in the capital on the opening weekend of the season, before Met triumphed 3-0 over the Cofis at the Go Goodwins Stadium at the end of September.
Bangor City 1876 v Trefelin (Saturday, 2pm)
Two in-form sides meet on Saturday afternoon as third tier Bangor City 1876 host JD Cymru South promotion hopefuls Trefelin.
Remarkably, Bangor are yet to lose a game in any competition this season and a currently sit a point clear at the top of the Ardal North West. In the JD Welsh Cup, the last two rounds have seen them knock out JD Cymru North opposition in Guilsfield and Holywell Town.
Trefelin are currently on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions and are second in the table – five points behind leaders Cambrian United but with two games in hand. Andy Hill’s side overcame Cardiff Draconians on penalties in the previous round, having kicked off their cup campaign with a 6-1 win over Pure Swansea.
The two sides have never previously met and both are appearing at this stage of the JD Welsh Cup for the first time.
Trearddur Bay v Newport City (Saturday, 5pm)
There is a double header in Bangor on Saturday, as later in the day Treborth 3G plays host to the clash between Trearddur Bay and Newport City.
Bay are the lowest ranked side left in the competition, as they currently sit fourth in the Ardal North West. Campbell Harrison’s side have won 14 of their last 16 matches in all competitions, which includes JD Welsh Cup victories over Llangefni Town, Berriew, Broughton United and Glynneath Town.
Newport City are currently eighth in the JD Cymru South, with the Steelmen winning only one of their last eight league matches but they have progressed past Penygraig United and Blaenavon Blues to reach this stage of the JD Welsh Cup.
These are two more sides with no previous meetings, and who are both appearing in Round Four for the first time.
Caerau Ely v Llandudno (Saturday, 2pm)
Two sides enjoying strong campaigns in the second tier meet on Saturday as Caerau Ely host Llandudno.
This is the third consecutive season that Caerau Ely have reached Round Four, causing an upset against top-flight Bala Town a year ago. The Young Guns have knocked out Penydarren, Morriston Town and Dolgellau so far this season, while they currently sit fifth in the JD Cymru South.
JD Cymru North leaders Llandudno dumped out last season’s runners-up Connah’s Quay Nomads in the previous round, while they also impressed in a narrow 2-1 defeat away at TNS in last weekend’s Nathaniel MG Cup semi-final – the Seasiders’ first loss in 90 minutes in any competition this term.
It is a first ever meeting between the two sides, with Caerau Ely hoping to make the quarter-finals for only the second time (after last year) and Llandudno targeting a place in the last eight for the first time in seven years.
