Connah’s Quay Nomads can end a frustrating season on a high by retaining the JD Welsh Cup but will need to deny The New Saints a record-breaking treble to do so on Sunday 4 May (KO 4pm) at Rodney Parade.
In a repeat of last season’s final, which the Nomads won 2-1 through goals from Harry Franklin and Josh Williams, the Saints head into the match with the JD Cymru Premier title and Nathaniel MG Cup already on display at Park Hall and are just win away from becoming the first club to complete the domestic treble three times.
Here is all the pre-match insight to get you ready for the final.
2025 JD Welsh Cup Final
The season so far
It has been an incredible campaign for The New Saints as Craig Harrison’s side made history in Europe by becoming the first Welsh domestic club to qualify for the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League. Despite the distraction of multiple European ties disrupting their JD Cymru Premier campaign, normality was restored in the second half of the season as the club claimed a fourth league title in succession.
A 14-point advantage over closest challengers Penybont in the final standings confirmed their domestic dominance, while a 1-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final through a goal from Aramide Oteh means that the side are now on course to achieve a record-breaking treble this season.
By comparison, it has been a challenging season for Connah’s Quay Nomads both on and off the field with last year’s JD Welsh Cup-winning manager Neil Gibson departing the club just one game into the JD Cymru Premier season. Gibson was subsequently replaced by former Swindon Town and Leeds United striker Billy Paynter.
While they reached the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup and the JD Welsh Cup Final, the Nomads dropped down to the Play-Off Conference at the mid-season split. Paynter was relieved of his duties earlier this month after the Nomads missed out on a play-off place by finishing eighth in the JD Cymru Premier.
Road to the Final
Adam Wilson helped himself to four goals as TNS began their JD Welsh Cup campaign in style with a 16-0 win over Llangollen Town at Park Hall. Ash Baker, Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus and captain Danny Redmond all scored twice for Craig Harrison’s side. However, the side would find themselves 1-0 down to Cardiff Met in the next round before goals from Brobbel and two from Jordan Williams sealed a 3-1 victory.
A potential banana-skin against JD Cymru North high-flyers Colwyn Bay wasn’t going to plan when Craig Lindfield scored for the Seagulls, but McManus, Adrian Cieslewicz and a double from Aramide Oteh ensured the Saints would progress with a 4-1 win. Another in-form side from the JD Cymru North would follow, but a convincing 5-0 win over Airbus UK Broughton in the quarter-final moved The New Saints closer to the domestic treble.
Cambrian United of the JD Cymru South would provide the semi-final opposition at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, but any thoughts of a giant-killing were over by half-time as goals from Redmond, Cieslewicz, Rory Holden and two from Zack Clarke put the Saints 5-0 ahead, and no further goals would follow before the final whistle.
Five different players were on target for Connah’s Quay Nomads in their opening round 5-0 win over Guilsfield at the Essity Stadium as Tyler Berry, Ben Maher and Rhys Hughes put the side three goals ahead before substitutes Jordan Pownall and Aron Williams completed the scoring. A visit to JD Cymru South side Trefelin was the reward and goals from Ben Nash and Ben Maher sealed a 2-1 victory at Ynys Park.
Captain John Disney proved to be the difference against Mold Alexandra in the next round as he scored the only goal of the game. With Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy in attendance, a potentially difficult tie against Caerau Ely of the JD Cymru South live on Sgorio was managed through goals from Hughes and Noah Edwards either side of half-time as the Nomads progressed to the last four with a 2-0 win.
Llanelli Town would win the JD Cymru South title in April, but in March their focus was on the challenge of the Nomads in the JD Welsh Cup semi-final at Aberystwyth. Lee John’s side took the lead through a Liam Eason penalty in the opening half, but the Nomads responded in style just after half-time as goals from Max Woodcock and Callum Bratley on 47 and 50 minutes respectively ensured the cup holders would reach the final once again.
Head-to-head
There have been just two meetings between The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads this season.
The first match took place at the Essity Stadium in October and it was the Nomads that took the lead through Jack Kenny. However, Craig Harrison turned to his bench to turn the result around as substitutes Declan McManus and Ben Clark scored late in the match as the Saints claimed a 2-1 win.
The return match at Park Hall took place on New Year’s Eve and it was the home side that went ahead through Ryan Brobbel before Noah Edwards levelled for the visitors.
Jordan Williams would ensure that the Saints took maximum points with the winning goal to earn his side another 2-1 victory, while Kenny was sent off for the Nomads.
JD Welsh Cup record
The New Saints have lifted the JD Welsh Cup on nine previous occasions – a record only bettered by Wrexham, Cardiff City and Swansea City. Their first success was under their former name of Llansantffraid in 1995/96 as they defeated Barry Town on penalties after a famous 3-3 draw at the National Stadium in Cardiff.
Their most recent success was in 2022/23 when Bala Town were defeated 6-0, the biggest margin of victory in the final since Wrexham beat Shrewsbury Town 7-0 in 1930/31.
The Nomads won the competition Cup for the first time in 2017/18 as Aberystwyth were defeated 4-1 through goals from Michael Bakare, Andy Owens and a double from Michael Wilde.
The Flintshire side then lifted the trophy for a second time last season as Harry Franklin and Josh Williams scored in a 2-1 win over The New Saints at Rodney Parade. The Nomads also reached the final in 1998 and 2019, but were beaten by Bangor City and The New Saints respectively.
Players to watch
Zack Clarke – The New Saints
The 22-year old has made a big impression in the JD Welsh Cup for The New Saints since arriving from Caernarfon Town in January, scoring three goals in just two games, including two in the semi-final victory over Cambrian United.
John Disney – Connah’s Quay Nomads
The captain has been ever-present for the Nomads in the JD Cymru Premier and JD Welsh Cup this season. A natural leader on the field, Disney also made a key contribution by scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Mold Alexandra in Round Four.
Pre-Match Views
Craig Harrison, The New Saints: “We have a great opportunity to put right the defeat against Connah’s Quay last year. The players are excited for it, we’ve still got a lot of players that were playing that day and they’ve still got a tiny little bit to do to prove that they’re the best the club has ever seen.”
Jay Catton, Connah’s Quay Nomads: “We’ve had two really good weeks. The lads have been superb and the coaches have been at it. It’s been non-stop with a full focus on the final. As we always do, we’ll be giving everything to try and win the competition.”
Match Officials
Referee: Tom Owen
Assistant Referee 1: John Bryant
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Christopher
Fourth Official: John Jones
JD Welsh Cup final ticket details
Tickets can be bought online for the following prices (plus booking fee):
Adults – £8.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00
All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app, no later than 24 hours before kick-off. Tickets purchased fewer than 48 hours before the match will be delivered no later than five hours before kick-off.
Tickets will then be available to buy on the gate on matchday for increased prices:
Adults – £15.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £10.00
Please direct any ticketing queries to tickets@faw.co.uk
How to watch TNS v Connah’s Quay from home
The game will be broadcast on S4C’s TV and online channels. Coverage begins at 3.30 pm. Commentary will be available in both English and in Welsh.
S4C is on channel 104 on Sky, Freesat and Virgin TV for those based in Wales. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, S4C is on Sky 134, Freesat 120 and Virgin TV 164. The game will also appear on Sgorio’s Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as S4C’s streaming service S4C Clic.
You can also keep up to date with the game by following our Match Centre, as well as on the Cymru Football app which is available on both iOS and Android.
The Venue
This will be the second time that Rodney Parade has hosted the JD Welsh Cup final following last season when Connah’s Quay Nomads claimed a famous 2-1 win over The New Saints to lift the trophy for only the second time in their history.
The stadium is home to EFL League Two side Newport County AFC and United Rugby Championship team Dragons RFC.
Rodney Parade is a 13-minute walk from Newport train station. For those wishing to drive to the match, the postcode for Rodney Parade is NP19 0AS.
