This weekend, 16 teams will compete in the JD Welsh Cup fourth round.
Friday, 15 October
Flint Town United v Connah’s Quay | Friday – 19:45
Michael Wilde will be going up against his former club for the first time since leaving the Deeside Stadium over the summer in this tasty Flintshire derby.
Not many would have predicted that Flint Town United would be sitting in 2nd place in the JD Cymru Premier after nine league games, and even less would have anticipated seeing the champions, Connah’s Quay lying as low as the 9th position following a disappointing run of seven league games without a win.
But the Nomads have won each of their last four meetings with the Silkmen, and with a ticket to Europe up for grabs for the JD Welsh Cup winners, these two teams will be giving their all to reach the quarter finals.
Saturday, 16 October
Colwyn Bay v Cardiff Met | Saturday – 12:45 (S4C)
Colwyn Bay will meet Cardiff Met for the first time in their history on Saturday in front of Sgorio’s live cameras.
The Seagulls are currently 6th in the JD Cymru North and have knocked out Gresford (1-2) and Ruthin Town (5-1) to reach the fourth round, and will now face the 2019/20 semi-finalists, Cardiff Met.
The city students have won seven of their last nine games and are pushing for a place in the JD Cymru Premier Top Six.
Saltney Town v Aberystwyth Town | Saturday – 14:00
Saltney Town are the only third tier side to have reached the fourth round, and the Ardal North West outfit are looking forward to facing the 2018 finalists, Aberystwyth Town.
Saltney started their Welsh Cup journey in the first qualifying round and have had to see off Ruabon Rangers (2-7), Brickfield Rangers (0-3), Y Felinheli (3-1), Llanrhaeadr YM (3-5) and Penrhyncoch (pens) to get to this stage of the competition.
But this will be a meaner test for Andy Dutton’s boys as Aberystwyth Town have already thrashed Aber Valley (9-0) and Cefn Druids (4-1) in this season’s Welsh Cup.
Buckley Town v Taff’s Well | Saturday – 14:30
At least two lower league sides are guaranteed to be playing in the quarter finals as Buckley Town of the JD Cymru North face Taff’s Well of the JD Cymru South, while Swansea University host Guilsfield in another all-tier-2-tie.
Buckley Town are fourth in the JD Cymru North following a recent run of seven consecutive victories, while Taff’s Well are 9th in the JD Cymru South.
This won’t be the first time these teams have clashed in the cup as the two sides put on quite a show in 2011 when Buckley Town beat Taff’s Well 4-3 in the third round of the competition.
Carmarthen Town v The New Saints | Saturday – 14:30
After causing quite an upset in the previous round by beating Newtown on penalties, Carmarthen Town’s reward is a home tie against the cup holders, The New Saints.
Anthony Limbrick’s Saints are unbeaten in 11 games (won 10, drawn 1) and have opened an impressive seven-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.
The New Saints have won 14 of their last 15 meetings with Carmarthen Town with the Old Gold’s last triumph over TNS coming at Richmond Park back in February 2017.
Haverfordwest County v Bala Town | Saturday – 14:30
In another of the three ties between two top flight teams, Haverfordwest County (11th) will battle with Bala Town (4th) for a place in the quarter finals.
After a strong start to the season, it’s been a frustrating week for the Lakesiders who had to share the spoils with Cefn Druids on Saturday before losing to a late goal against The New Saints on Tuesday night.
Bala Town have already beaten Haverfordwest County heavily this season (6-2), but in the last cup meeting between the two sides, Colin Caton’s crew needed four extra time goals to see of the Bluebirds in the 2018/19 fourth round.
Pen-y-bont v Caernarfon Town | Saturday – 14:30
Pen-y-bont have brushed aside Undy Athletic (7-0) and Cambrian & Clydach (1-3) in this season’s Welsh Cup, while Caernarfon Town have reached the fourth round without conceding a goal with comfortable victories over Denbigh Town (0-4) and Prestatyn Town (3-0).
It’s been a slow start to the season for Pen-y-bont, with Rhys Griffiths’ side winning only two of their nine league games to date.
But the Bryntirion boys are unbeaten in their last six meetings with the Cofis (won 2, drawn 4), including a 1-1 draw in the league earlier this month.
Swansea University v Guilsfield | Saturday – 14:30
Swansea University and Guilsfield will go head-to-head for the first time ever as the two second tier teams look to seal a spot in the quarter finals.
Swansea University are currently 12th in the JD Cymru South and have beaten Caldicot (6-3) and Bangor City (1-0) to secure this fixture against Guilsfield, who are 2nd in the JD Cymru North and have knocked out Llandudno Albion (3-5) and Dinas Powys (2-4) to get to the fourth round.
Guilsfield are on a remarkable run of 12 games without a loss (won 10, drawn 2), and have only been defeated once in their last 20 matches (lost on penalties vs Airbus UK).
Highlights of all matches will be on Sgorio at 5.30 on Monday.
