It’s Quarter-Finals weekend in the JD Welsh Cup as eight teams battle for a place in the semi-finals of one of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.
With reigning champions The New Saints and last season’s finalists Connah’s Quay Nomads already eliminated, the door is wide open for new history to be written.
Follow all the action on the FAW website and the Cymru Football app.
Bangor City 1876 v Caerau Ely (Saturday, 14:00)
Two sides enjoying strong campaigns in their respective leagues meet on Saturday as third tier Bangor City 1876 host Caerau Ely of the JD Cymru South.
Bangor began their cup journey back in July and have already shown devastating form throughout the competition so far. Michael Johnston’s side saw off Mochdre Sports, Conwy Borough Swifts and St Asaph City before knocking out a trio of second tier sides in Guilsfield, Holywell Town and Trefelin, scoring 25 goals along the way.
Bangor remain the only unbeaten club in Wales this season across all competitions, winning 28 and drawing just two of their 30 matches so far. The arrival of former The New Saints frontman and two-time JD Welsh Cup winner Declan McManus has only boosted their dreams of continuing a memorable cup run.
Caerau Ely, meanwhile, have also enjoyed a strong cup run. The Young Guns have progressed past Penydarren BGC, Morriston Town, Dolgellau and JD Cymru North high-flyers Llandudno to book their place in the last eight.
Dean Wheeler’s side come into the tie in fine form after an emphatic 5-1 victory over Trethomas Bluebirds last weekend and currently sit fourth in their league as they push for promotion to the top tier.
Having reached the quarter-finals for the second consecutive season, Caerau Ely will be determined to go one step further after falling at this stage to Connah’s Quay Nomads last year and reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Flint Town United v Trearddur Bay (Saturday, 14:00)
JD Cymru Premier side Flint Town United welcome the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition, Trearddur Bay, for an intriguing quarter-final encounter.
Fresh from a huge victory over Bala Town in their battle to avoid relegation from the top-flight, Lee Fowler’s side will be looking to build momentum and recreate the magic of the 1953/54 season, when the Silkmen lifted the Welsh Cup for the first, and only, time in their 140-year existence.
This is the third time that Flint have reached the quarter-finals in the past 15 years, but they have not made it to the semi-finals since lifting the trophy 72 years ago.
Trearddur Bay have enjoyed an excellent season across league and cup competitions. Since the start of the campaign in July, Campbell Harrison’s side have suffered just eight defeats in all competitions. Their JD Welsh Cup run has included impressive victories over Llangefni Town, Berriew, Broughton United, Glynneath Town and second tier Newport City.
With no previous meetings between the two sides, this tie promises to add another unpredictable chapter to an already captivating JD Welsh Cup campaign. Like Bangor 1876, Trearddur Bay will be hoping to become the first third-tier club to reach the semi-finals since Holywell Town achieved the feat during the 2013/14 season.
Rhyl 1879 v Barry Town United (Saturday, 14:00)
JD Cymru North side Rhyl 1879 host top-flight outfit Barry Town United in another fascinating clash on Saturday.
The tie marks Rhyl’s first JD Welsh Cup quarter-final appearance since the phoenix club was formed in 2020. Victories over Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Brickfield Rangers and Cwmbran Town have seen the Lilywhites reach the last eight.
Midfielder Ben Lightfoot is Rhyl’s leading scorer in the competition this season, finding the net in every round so far. Paul Moore’s side currently sit seventh in the JD Cymru North and come into the tie on the back of an impressive 2-1 victory over Buckley Town last weekend.
Barry Town United, six-time winners of the competition, are currently sixth in the JD Cymru Premier. Steve Jenkins’ side have enjoyed plenty of success in cup competitions this season, having already booked their spot in the Nathaniel MG Cup final, while they have progressed past Aberystwyth Town, Llanelli Town and Gresford Athletic on their road to the JD Welsh Cup last eight.
Forward Ollie Hubert is the competition’s top scorer this season, with seven goals to his name, and could prove a key threat for the visitors. Although Barry won the competition three times in a row between 2001 and 2003, they have not reached the semi-finals for seven years and will be eager to end that wait.
Caernarfon Town v Colwyn Bay (Saturday, 17:15)
The only all-JD Cymru Premier tie of the quarter-finals sees Caernarfon Town host Colwyn Bay in Saturday evening’s live fixture on S4C.
The Cofis have reached the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals on five occasions but have never lifted the famous trophy. Colwyn Bay, meanwhile, have also never reached a JD Welsh Cup final but will arrive full of confidence after recently securing a first-ever top-six finish following their return to the JD Cymru Premier this season.
The two sides have already met three times this campaign, most recently on two occasions during Phase One of the JD Cymru Premier, with Michael Wilde’s Colwyn Bay side emerging victorious on both occasions.
With a large crowd expected at the Oval and the Sgorio cameras in attendance, all the ingredients are in place for an entertaining and competitive encounter.
