Over the weekend, four north Wales clubs will compete in the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup.
Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United from the JD Cymru Premier have reached the last four, and they will face lower-division opposition.
The Cofis take on Rhyl 1879 from the second tier, while the Silkmen meet Bangor 1876 from the third tier.
The winners of this weekend’s matches will secure their place in the Welsh Cup final at Rodney Parade, Newport on 12 April — and the winners of the final will claim a place in European competition next season.
Flint Town United (1) v Dinas Bangor City 1876 (3) | Saturday – 12:45
(Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno)
Of the four clubs remaining in the competition, Flint Town United are the only side to have previously lifted the Welsh Cup, doing so back in 1954.
In the 72 years since, Flint had not progressed beyond the quarter-finals — until this season.
In 1953/54, Flint Town United won their semi-final against Cardiff City, before defeating Chester in the final at the Racecourse Ground.
With Flint facing the lowest-ranked club left in the competition, Lee Fowler will be hoping to write his name into the history books by guiding his side to lift the trophy for the first time since 1954.
Flint Town United are the only club yet to concede a goal in this season’s Welsh Cup, and with the Silkmen on a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions, confidence will be high in Fowler’s squad.
The road so far:
Flint Town United: Bow Street (0–3), Airbus UK (1–0), Pen-y-bont (0–0 pens), Trearddur Bay (3–0)
Bangor 1876: Mochdre (3–1), Conwy Swifts (0–12), Llanelwy (0–6), Guilsfield (1–1 pens), Holywell (2–1), Trefelin (2–0), Caerau Ely (3–1)
There is a wealth of history and Welsh Cup success in Bangor, with the trophy having been lifted on eight occasions by the original club.
However, with that historic club dissolved, its successors are now eager to emulate those past achievements.
Bangor 1876 sit top of the Ardal North West League, and are the first third-tier club to reach the semi-finals since Holywell Town 12 years ago.
Michael Johnston’s side have played 36 matches in all competitions this season, winning 33 of them and losing only once (vs Llannefydd).
Bangor’s cup journey began in the first qualifying round, and since then the Citizens have beaten four second-tier clubs — Guilsfield, Holywell, Trefelin and Caerau Ely.
But this will be their toughest test yet, as they face a top-flight club for the first time since November 2023.
Remarkably, Flint Town United were the last — and only — top-flight club to face Bangor 1876 since the club was founded in 2019.
In November 2023, the sides met in the third round of the Welsh Cup at Bangor City Stadium, and after Elliott Reeves gave Flint the lead, Bangor equalised in dramatic fashion in the 94th minute, with goalkeeper Carl Jones scoring from a corner.
However, Flint Town United ultimately prevailed on penalties, and neutral supporters will be hoping for a similar classic encounter this Saturday afternoon.
The clubs met twice more in the 2023/24 Cymru North season, with Flint winning both matches as well (Ban 1–4 Ffl, Ffl 4–2 Ban).
But Bangor have proven this season that they are a difficult side to beat, and the Citizens will aim to become the first third-tier club in the Welsh football pyramid to reach the Welsh Cup final.
Y Rhyl 1879 (2) v Caernarfon Town (1) | Sunday – 13:30
(Blue Turtle Arena, Colwyn Bay)
Rhyl 1879 have reached the semi-finals for the first time since the new club was formed in 2020, although the original Rhyl club won the cup on four occasions.
Rhyl caused the shock of the last round by beating Barry Town 2–1, and Paul Moore’s side will be eager to repeat the feat on Sunday by defeating another top-flight club.
After winning four of their last five matches, Rhyl 1879 sit 5th in their first season in the Cymru North following their promotion over the summer.
Rhyl’s cup ties have been tight affairs this season, with the Lilywhites winning by a single goal in each of the last four rounds.
The road so far:
Rhyl 1879: Pwllheli (1–3), Brickfield (1–0), Cwmbrân (3–2), Porthmadog (1–2), Barry Town (2–1)
Caernarfon: Newtown (0–3), Penrhyncoch (4–0), Cardiff Met (2–4), Colwyn Bay (4–1)
Caernarfon Town have never reached a Welsh Cup final, so the Cofis will be determined to achieve that milestone this year and lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
As the highest-ranked club left in the competition, Caernarfon are favourites to win the cup this season — although they have not won an away match in 2026.
That said, confidence will be high in the Caernarfon camp after their 3–0 win over Colwyn Bay at the weekend, with Brad Young starring by scoring twice, having also found the net in the previous match against his former club, The New Saints.
The Cofis have raised their level in cup competitions this season, scoring four goals in each of their last three matches in the tournament.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, and both teams will be hoping to make history by reaching the final for the first time.
