Bangor City Lead Northern Charge in JD Welsh Cup

For the first time in the competition's 154-year-history, a record six representatives from Gogledd Cymru are involved in the last eight of the national knockout.

Unbeaten in 30 matches across all competitions this season, CPD Dimas Bangor City 1876 will host Cymru South high-flyers Caerau Ely for a place in the last four.

Formed just six years ago, Tier 3 Ardal North West leaders Bangor knocked out Cymru South second-placed side Trefelin BGC in the last round, so certainly appear to have a decent chance of eliminating another second-tier opponent on home turf.

Bangor have strengthened their squad by signing four-time Cymru Premier title winner with The New Saints and twice top-flight Golden Boot holder Declan McManus.

The lowest-ranked side left in the cup are Trearddur Bay, currently seventh in Ardal North West.

The Ynys Môn based outsiders face a tough trip to Cymru Premier side Flint Town United, winners of the Welsh Cup just once in 1953-54.

Bay pose a big threat through striker Tom Hilditch, who has scored in every round of the cup so far, bagging 10 goals in just five ties.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879, a phoenix club formed after the demise of Rhyl FC in 2020, are relishing the prospect of the biggest game in their short history when they welcome Cymru Premier outfit Barry Town United to the Hops and Barley Community Stadium.

In their debut season at Tier 2 Cymru North level, where they currently lie seventh, the Lilywhites have eliminated Porthmadog, Cwmbran Town, Brickfield Rangers and Pwllheli en route to the last eight.

There are just three Cymru Premier sides left in the competition and two of those lock horns in Saturday's live tie on Sgorio.

Caernarfon Town and Colwyn Bay, neither of whom have won the Welsh Cup before, will meet at Go Goodwins Stadium, Llandudno.

This pair have met three times this season, twice in the league, with Colwyn Bay winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 away and in the Nathaniel MG Cup, where Caernarfon triumphed 3-0.

JD CYMRU NORTH

JD Cymru North action kicks off on Friday night with three matches.

Denbigh Town will seek a fourth win in a row when they travel to Flint Mountain, who beat Mold Alexandra in their last fixture to edge up to fourth-from-bottom.

Holywell Town can pinch top spot, albeit having played more games than their rivals, if they take three points at Gresford Athletic.

It will be a far from easy task for the Wellmen, with the Colliers an improved side under Dave Evans having only lost 2-1 at leaders Airbus last weekend.

Basement side Ruthin Town will be out for revenge when they host a Caersws team which beat them 5-1 in Powys last month.

Saturday's action sees table-toppers Airbus entertain Penrhyncoch, who lifted themselves off the bottom after a 1-0 win over Brickfield Rangers in their last test.

The Wingmakers won just 1-0 at Cae Baker early in the campaign and can expect a hard encounter at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.

Guilsfield and Buckley Town, who meet in the northern section semi-final of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup next month, have a chance to strike a psychological blow in a league confrontation at Clos Mytton.

In the reverse league contest last August, Guils won 2-1 at the Bucks.

Holyhead Hotspur will aim to end a run of six games without a victory over Llandudno when they welcome the title contenders to the New Stadium.

Not since beating the Seasiders 1-0 in a Nathaniel MG Cup tie in 2020-21, have the Holy Islanders managed a W against the Maesdu men, who have won five and drawn one of the last six between the sides.

Without a win in eight league games, Mold Alexandra look to stop the rot when they come up against Brickfield Rangers at Alyn Park.

Back in September, the points went to Mold - 1-0 at Clywedog Park.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH EAST

The top two look good shouts for big wins this weekend with leaders Llanuwchllyn travelling to Kerry and second-place Knighton Town hosting Corwen.

Expect a closer contest in the Wrexham-area derby between Rhos Aelwyd and Penycae, two sides in the top half.

Penycae are without a win in six and badly need something at Ponciau Park.

Rhos' recent form has been ordinary, but they will take confidence from the 3-1 win they recorded away to Saturday's opponents back in August.

Llangollen Town will surely be buoyed by their first away league win of the campaign last weekend when they travel to Builth Wells on Saturday.

However, Builth will be going for a double having triumphed 4-1 at Tower Field early in the 2025-26 season.

Third-place Bow Street should have the measure of Llanfair United at Cae Piod, while Cefn Albion, 3-1 victors at Penycae last Saturday, can see off visitors Llanrhaeadr.

Dolgellau Athletic's recent flood of goals should stand them in good stead at home to Llandrindod Wells. Dol are targeting a fifth straight league success.

Radnor Valley will feel confident of a fifth win on the bounce when they journey to bottom side Lex XI, who nonetheless scooped a 2-2 draw at The Bypass in October.

LOCK STOCK ARDAL NORTH WEST

With leaders Bangor City 1876 in Welsh Cup quarter-final combat, Porthmadog can pull level on points with the Citizens if they defeat Bethesda Athletic at Y Traeth.

Although Pesda were beaten 3-0 at home at Port in August, the Ogwen outfit have lost just one of their last eight.

Prestatyn Town hope to have newest signing Paul Fleming on call when they welcome next-to-bottom Penmaenmawr Phoenix to Bastion Gardens.

Fourth-place Llay Miners Welfare versus CPD Llannefydd should be a good battle between two teams which last met in 2023-24, while NFA, currently riding high in third, will seek a quick double with a visit to a Felinheli outfit they overcame 2-1 at Ffordd Derwen last weekend.

Mynydd Isa lost 4-0 at Pwllheli in August, but the Flintshire side might fancy their chances of retribution against the Llyn men at Argoed with two good wins behind them over Llannefydd and Llanrwst.

Llanrwst United visit bottom team St Asaph City aiming for a first league win in four attempts.

League Cup action sees Connah's Quay Town host Llangefni Town. Quay, who beat Cefni 1-0 in the league at Deeside Stadium in October, have never lost to the Anglesey side and have a few interesting new signings on board.

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