It’s the JD Welsh Cup quarter-final weekend and five of the top-flight teams along with three second tier clubs will compete for a place in the semi-finals.
Saturday, 4 February
Connah’s Quay v Airbus UK | Saturday – 14:00
The Flintshire derby will take place at the Deeside Stadium as Connah’s Quay, who are 2nd in the JD Cymru Premier host bottom of the league side Airbus UK.
Connah’s Quay will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing week where their 21-match unbeaten run came to an end in a penalty shootout defeat to Bala Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup final, before the Nomads fell to their first league loss since September at Haverfordwest County on Tuesday.
The Welsh Cup has given Airbus UK a rare reason to celebrate this season as their only wins during this campaign have come in this competition against Queen’s Park, Trefelin and Pontardawe Town.
Connah’s Quay lifted the cup back in 2018, and after beating Denbigh Town, Colwyn Bay and Llanelli Town this season the Nomads have reached the quarter final stage for the eighth consecutive year.
In 2015/16, Airbus UK managed to get to the final for the first time in their history but eventually lost 2-0 against The New Saints at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.
This will be the first meeting between the two north east outfits in the Welsh Cup since Connah’s Quay’s 3-2 extra time victory back in the 2009/10 third round.
New Year’s Day 2016 was the last time Airbus got the better of the Nomads (Air 3-2 CQ), and Connah’s Quay have won 12 consecutive games against their Broughton based neighbours since then.
Despite the recent head-to-head record, Connah’s Quay were the team to net the least number of goals in their two fixtures against Airbus UK in the first phase of the current league season (3).
Cwmbrân Celtic v The New Saints | Saturday – 14:00
Cwmbrân Celtic are the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition as they sit 10th in the JD Cymru South and hope to produce a giant-killing against cup favourites, The New Saints.
Cwmbrân Celtic have seen off Ammanford, Llantwit Major, Carmarthen Town and Penydarren to reach the quarter finals for the first time since 2015/16.
The New Saints are the current JD Welsh Cup holders after lifting the trophy for the eighth time in their history last season following their victory over Pen-y-bont in the final at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Since their defeat to Dundee in the Scottish Challenge Cup in September, The New Saints have gone 19 games without a loss in all competitions (won 17, drawn two), which includes their cup conquests over Chirk AAA, Caernarfon Town and Newtown.
The New Saints have ended the first phase of the season 16 points clear of the chasing pack and have broken the record for most goals scored (83) and fewest goals conceded (8) before the split.
But the Saints aren’t the only club who’ve been clinical recently as Cwmbrân have also netted 33 goals in their last 10 matches (3.3 goals per game).
It will be the first meeting between these sides since Chris Seargeant’s hat-trick secured a 0-3 win for the Saints at Celtic Park in the 2018/19 Welsh Cup third round in December 2018, which was the first of TNS’ exceptional present run of 17 consecutive cup victories.
Bala Town v Briton Ferry Llansawel | Saturday – 14:00
After conquering Croesyceiliog, Mold Alexandra, and Buckley Town, Briton Ferry Llansawel have sealed a place in the quarter finals for the first time since their formation in 2009.
The Ferry are currently 2nd in the JD Cymru South and aim to be the team to cause an upset this weekend.
But Bala Town have an impressive record with 11 wins and 10 clean sheets in their last 14 games at Maes Tegid.
On 30 April 2017, Bala Town clinched their most momentous victory as their 2-1 Welsh Cup final coup against The New Saints allowed them to lift the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.
Bala Town have knocked out Hawarden, Flint Town United and Pontypridd United, and following their Nathaniel MG Cup final success last Saturday, the Lakesiders are now going for the cup double… or a ‘couple’ if you like!
Sunday, 5 February
Pen-y-bont v Holywell Town | Sunday – 12:45
After falling at the final hurdle in May, Pen-y-bont will be desperate to get to the Welsh Cup final for the second year running for another chance to get their hands on the trophy.
Rhys Griffiths’ squadron have won eight of their last nine Welsh Cup fixtures with the only defeat coming in last season’s final against The New Saints (Pen 2-3 TNS).
Pen-y-bont have won five games on the bounce, kept nine clean sheets in 12 matches and are fully focused on securing European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
It will be Pen-y-bont’s first home tie in the competition this season having won away against Risca United, Conwy Borough and Gresford Athletic to reach the quarter finals.
But this will certainly be their toughest test yet, against a Holywell Town team who are 2nd in the JD Cymru North after winning an incredible 15 consecutive league matches.
Holywell Town have had to win away against Llanuwchllyn, Hakin Utd and Guilsfield to get to this stage of the competition, and Johnny Haseldin’s Wellmen will be eager to repeat the feats of 2013/14 when they managed to go all the way to the semi-finals.
All the weekend’s action will be on Sgorio on Monday night at 9:35 on S4C.
