With just two top-flight sides remaining, this year’s JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals offer multiple sides the chance to make history.
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Cambrian United v Carmarthen Town (Saturday, 2pm)
There is not likely to be a more evenly-matched quarter-final tie this weekend than Carmarthen Town’s trip to Cambrian United, with the two sides currently level on points and goal difference in the JD Cymru South table.
Fifth-place Cambrian are only ahead of sixth-place Carmarthen by virtue of having scored three more goals, while both teams have won one meeting each against the other in the league this season.
This is Cambrian’s first JD Welsh Cup quarter-final since 2019, following penalty shootout wins over Goytre United and Afan Lido either side of thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Llandudno. The Rhondda outfit head into Saturday’s tie having lost just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Carmarthen, JD Welsh Cup winners in 2007, have reached this stage for the first time in seven years after defeating Penydarren and Holyhead Hotspur on penalties, plus a remarkable 4-3 comeback win away at Penrhiwceiber Rangers in Round 2. Three defeats in their last four games in all competitions leaves them out of form, but Mark Aizlewood will be eager to ensure his final season at the club is a memorable one.
Denbigh Town v Llanelli Town (Saturday, 2pm)
After knocking out Llangefni Town, Llanrwst United and Llanuwchllyn, it was perhaps inevitable that Denbigh Town would draw Llanelli Town in the quarter-finals.
The JD Cymru North side, currently ninth in the league table with just one defeat in their last five matches, have reached this stage for the first time ever, with manager Dewi Llion describing Saturday’s tie as “one of the biggest games in the club’s history”.
Opponents Llanelli are in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012, the year after they lifted the cup by beating Bangor City at Parc y Scarlets. Lee John’s side caused a shock by winning 2-0 over top-flight Haverfordwest County in the last round, after also knocking out Clwb Cymric and Pill AFC.
The Reds are currently two points clear at the top of the JD Cymru South and have not lost in any competition since the start of October so may be favourites at Central Park, but the expected hefty home crowd could be a leveller.
The New Saints v Airbus UK Broughton (Saturday, 2pm)
It’s the JD Cymru Premier leaders against the JD Cymru North leaders at Park Hall on Saturday, as The New Saints host Airbus UK Broughton.
After chasing Penybont for much of the campaign, TNS are now nine points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, with a 1-0 victory over Caernarfon Town on Tuesday night being their eighth consecutive league victory. The nine-time JD Welsh Cup winners, who have defeated Llangollen Town, Cardiff Met and Colwyn Bay to reach this stage, last failed to make it past the quarter-finals in 2009.
Airbus lead the JD Cymru North by one point ahead of Colwyn Bay, who they drew with last weekend, and have suffered just three defeats in all competitions this season – one of which was a narrow 1-0 loss against TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup third round. The Wingmakers have knocked out Porthmadog, Goytre AFC and Caersws to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in the last three years.
This tie is a repeat of the 2016 JD Welsh Cup Final, when goals from Ryan Brobbel and Scott Quigley earned a 2-0 win for TNS at the Racecourse. Airbus’ most recent victory against the Saints came earlier that season in the league – TNS have won all nine meetings since then.
Caerau Ely v Connah’s Quay Nomads (Sunday, 12:45pm)
Having already knocked out Barry Town United and Bala Town this season – either side of an 8-1 thrashing of Rogerstone – Caerau Ely will be looking for their biggest scalp yet when they host JD Welsh Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday.
The Young Guns, currently 10th in the JD Cymru South, are in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and could be accused of taking their eye off the ball elsewhere as a result – they have lost seven of their last nine games since beating Bala in mid-December.
It has not been the season that the Nomads have wanted in the league either. Billy Paynter’s side have lost five of their last six matches and are eight points adrift of the final European play-off spot in the bottom half of the JD Cymru Premier.
The JD Welsh Cup, which they lifted at Rodney Parade last season after a famous 2-1 win over TNS, is therefore their best chance of success again. The Nomads have so far knocked out Guilsfield, Trefelin and Mold Alexandra.
Watch live coverage of Caerau Ely v Connah’s Quay Nomads on S4C from 12:30pm on Sunday 16 February.
