This weekend, Pen-y-bont and Colwyn Bay will be hoping to reach the JD Welsh Cup final for the first time in their history, but it will be a tough ask with Bala Town and The New Saints standing in their way.
There are just three European spots up for grabs in Wales this year, therefore only the top two in the JD Cymru Premier and the JD Welsh Cup winners will qualify this season.
If one of the league’s top two teams also go on to win the cup, then the league’s 3rd placed team will take the last ticket to Europe.
Pen-y-bont v Bala Town | Friday – 19:45 (Park Avenue, Aberystwyth)
Pen-y-bont have booked a place in the Welsh Cup semi-final for the first time ever, and Rhys Griffiths will be determined to go one step further and reach the final.
This will be Bala Town’s fifth appearance in the semi-final and Colin Caton’s crew will be looking to repeat their feats in 2017 when the Lakesiders went on to lift the cup after beating The New Saints in the final.
The teams have met twice this season, and after a 2-2 draw at Maes Tegid on the opening weekend, it was Pen-y-bont who won 1-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium in October through a Sam Snaith header.
Pen-y-bont have beaten Undy Athletic, Cambrian & Clydach, Caernarfon Town and Taffs Well in the JD Welsh Cup this season, while Bala Town battered Brymbo 17-1 in the third round, before knocking out Pontypridd, Haverfordwest County and Aberystwyth Town.
The New Saints v Colwyn Bay | Sunday – 14:15 (Belle Vue, Rhyl)
After securing the title for the first time in three years last Saturday, Anthony Limbrick will be targeting a league and cup double in his first full season in charge at Park Hall.
The New Saints are the current JD Welsh Cup holders after winning the competition for the 7th time in 2018/19.
Colwyn Bay caused the shock of the round in the quarter-finals, knocking out the Nomads at the Deeside Stadium to seal their place in the semis for the fourth time in their history and the first time in 30 years (1930, 1983, 1992, 2022).
Colwyn Bay boss, Steve Evans played over 250 games for The New Saints, winning the Welsh Cup three times as a player and once more as assistant-manager.
The New Saints could reach the final without facing a top-tier side as they’ve seen off Llanrwst, Conwy, Carmarthen Town and Guilsfield so far without conceding a single goal.
The Seagulls on the other hand have had to beat Gresford Athletic, Ruthin Town, Cardiff Met and Connah’s Quay and will be hoping to take another scalp on Sunday.
Both games will be live on Sgorio and highlights will be available online.
