With a place at Rodney Parade on the line, this weekend’s JD Welsh Cup semi-finals pit last year’s finalists against two second tier sides hoping to cause upsets.
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Llanelli Town (Saturday, 12:30pm)
JD Welsh Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads will aim to book their place at Rodney Parade once again when they meet Llanelli Town at Park Avenue on Saturday.
It is a much-changed squad from the one that famously defeated The New Saints in last year’s final but they have once again made their way to the latter stages of the competition following wins over Guilsfield, Trefelin, Mold Alexandra and Caerau Ely.
It has not been the easiest league campaign for the Nomads who have found themselves in the bottom half of the JD Cymru Premier, but an emphatic 4-0 win over rivals Flint Town United on Tuesday night was their third successive clean sheet victory so they head to Park Avenue in good form.
Llanelli have ambitions on being in the top-flight next season as they currently sit two points clear at the top of the JD Cymru South table with four matches left of the campaign. Lee John’s side have lost just one of their last 21 games in all competitions.
It has been a cup run to remember for the Reds – who have reached this stage for the first since 2012 – as they defeated lower tier sides Clwb Cymric and Pill, caused shock by knocking out top-flight Haverfordwest County and struck a 94th-minute winner to triumph away at Denbigh Town in the quarter-finals.
The two sides last met in the JD Welsh Cup fourth round in 2022/23, when the Nomads earned a 2-0 win at Stebonheath – their ninth consecutive win against the Reds. Not since 2009 have Llanelli been triumphant over the Flintshire outfit.
Watch live coverage of Connah’s Quay Nomads v Llanelli Town on S4C from 12:15pm on Saturday 15 March.
Cambrian United v The New Saints (Sunday 12:45pm)
Sunday will be a historic day for Cambrian United as they compete in the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history, with nine-time cup winners The New Saints their opponents at Park Avenue.
The Rhondda side won 3-1 against Carmarthen Town in the quarter-finals, the most comfortable game in their cup run following penalty shootout wins over Goytre United and Afan Lido either side of thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Llandudno.
Cambrian sit seventh in the JD Cymru South table after a 2-0 win over Penrhiwceiber Rangers on Wednesday and have lost just twice in their last 16 matches in all competitions.
Having lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup last month, TNS are on the brink of the JD Cymru Premier title after a 2-0 home win over Caernarfon Town on Tuesday night. If they get their hands on the JD Welsh Cup as well – which they were denied in the final by Connah’s Quay Nomads last year – it would complete their first treble since 2017.
Craig Harrison’s side smashed 16 past Llangollen Town in Round Two, before wins over Cardiff Met, Colwyn Bay and Airbus UK Broughton booked their spot in the semi-finals for the 13th consecutive campaign.
Cambrian famously defeated The New Saints after extra-time in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals in 2018/19, so will be hoping for a monumental repeat. The two sides’ only other previous meeting saw TNS triumph 2-0 in the JD Welsh Cup in 2009.
Watch live coverage of Cambrian United v The New Saints on Sgorio’s online platforms from 12:30pm on Sunday 16 March.
