It’s Nathaniel MG Cup semi-final weekend and the current holders, Connah’s Quay will be determined to reach the final for a chance to retain the trophy that has been in the Nomads’ hands since the 2019/20 season.
Saturday, 27 November
Connah’s Quay v Taffs Well | Saturday – 13:00
Connah’s Quay beat STM Sports in the 2019/20 Nathaniel MG Cup final, and after the competition was cancelled for a year due to Covid-19, the Nomads’ retained the cup last season following an epic penalty shoot-out victory over Cardiff Met.
It finished goalless between Connah’s Quay and Cardiff Met in last season’s final, and after a whopping 24 penalties the Nomads finally came out triumphant to lift the trophy.
Connah’s Quay have reached the semi-final in every season since 2014/15, and after winning the cup on the last two occasions, Neil Gibson will be eager to make it a hattrick to secure his first silverware as Nomads manager.
Taffs Well are the only second tier side remaining in the competition, and they will hope to emulate the accomplishments of Denbigh Town, Barry Town United, Cambrian & Clydach and STM Sports, who are the four second tier sides who have managed to reach the final since 2016.
The Rhondda club are currently 7th in the JD Cymru South and have had to see off Ynyshir Albion, Trefelin, Haverfordwest County and Afan Lido to reach the semi-final stage for the first time in their history.
Connah’s Quay have beaten The New Saints, Holywell Town and Ruthin Town in the competition this year, and the dream of the domestic treble is still achievable for the Deeside outift.
The Nomads had won 11 consecutive matches before their 3-3 draw against Caernarfon Town on Friday, and Taffs Well might therefore feel that it is a good time to play Connah’s Quay after the Nomads’ run of 16 consecutive home wins finally came to an end.
Bala Town v Cardiff Met | Saturday – 13:00
For the second week on the bounce, Bala Town will meet Cardiff Met, and the Lakesiders will be desperate for some payback following their 1-0 defeat at the Cyncoed Campus.
Eliot Evans netted the only goal of the game for Cardiff Met at the capital last Saturday before Bala captain Chris Venables was sent off in the last 10 minutes for a dangerous challenge.
Bala Town will be aiming to book a place in the final for the first time since the 2014/15 season, while Cardiff Met are more than familiar with playing in the final after reaching three of the last four finals.
Colin Caton’s Lakesiders have never won the competition having lost 3-0 against The New Saints in their only appearance in the final back in 2014/15, while the Archers got their name on the cup in 2018/19 after beating Cambrian & Clydach in the final.
Bala Town have had to see off Chirk AAA, Caernarfon Town and Gresford Athletic to reach the semi-final this season, while Cardiff Met have knocked out Newtown, Aberystwyth Town and Ammanford.
