Cefn Albion are on the charge. The Wrexham-based club have a trophy double in their sights following wins against Corwen and FC Nomads.
The Cefners powered into the Welsh National League Cup final – a competition they won in 2017 – thanks to a 5-3 win against Nomads in their semi-final.
Mold Alex await Cefn in the final after their 2-1 victory against Brymbo.
Albion also kept their Welsh Trophy dream alive with a stunning 5-3 win at Corwen in a last eight clash.
The FAW Trophy semi-finals are both being played at Latham Park, Newtown this Saturday (March 15) when Cefn Albion face STM Sports (1pm) and Pontardawe Town play Bodedern (4.30pm).
STM, a team who play at Cardiff University Playing Fields in Llanrumney, and Pontardawe, from the Swansea Valley, represent Welsh League football, while Cefn Albion play in the Welsh National League and Bodedern are from the Welsh Alliance.
More than 150 fans followed Cefn along the A5 to War Memorial Park where they pulled off one of the cup shocks of the season.
Manager Stephen Davies said: “It was a brilliant day.
“I said we wouldn’t be frightened going there and that showed in the players’ attitudes. They were top class and our supporters were fantastic.
“I won the Welsh Trophy as a player with Cefn United and scored in the final. We are one game away from the final now.”
Albion were helped by an early red card for Corwen’s Ryan Billington in a tie that also saw them awarded three penalties.
“They were all blatant penalties,” said Davies. “We thoroughly deserved the win. All of our lads played well, but I have to say winger Jimmy Jones was our man of the match.”
Dale Davies gave the hosts an early lead, while Connor Kendrick replied from the penalty spot to make it 1-1. Kendrick’s second penalty was saved by goalkeeper Dylan Jones, but the Corwen man tucked away the rebound.
Kendrick also saw his third spot-kick saved, but got that miss out of his system by completing his hat-trick.
Scott Evans and Sam Henry gave Corwen a glimmer of hope, but goals from Jordan Jones, a left-footed, unstoppable shot into the top corner, and Zac Davies secured Albion’s place in the last four.
Albion are a club from the village of Cefn Mawr, near Wrexham formed six years ago.
FAW Trophy quarter-final results: Llangefni Town 0, Bodedern AFC 1; STM Sports 2, Penydarren BGC 1; Plas Madoc 2, Pontardawe Town 4; Corwen 3, Cefn Albion 5.
Bodedern FC earned their place in the semi-finals with a 1-0 win at fellow Welsh Alliance club Llangefni Town.
Celebration time for Pontardawe Town FC.The only goal was scored by Ryan Taylor, who volleyed in the winner following an accurate cross by Steven Whittaker.
Pontardawe Town won 4-2 at Plas Madoc in the Wrexham area. The visitors went 2-0 up through Josh Dorward and Kurtis Rees before Plas Madoc skipper Nicky Williams earned and scored a second half penalty.
Chasing the game, Play Madoc left gaps at the back and Liam Griffiths added two for Town after Jamie Williams had given manager Ryan Roberts’ side a fighting chance.
The match was played at the Rock, home of Welsh Premiership Cefn Druids, and most Pontardawe players travelled up the night before, although Steven Reeve and Josh Dorward joined the squad after a three-hour plus journey on Saturday morning.
After just a few minutes goalkeeper Reeve found Dorward, who scored to calm the nerves and put the visitors on the front foot.
Kurtis Rees made it 2-0 on the half hour, while Plas Madoc were awarded a penalty after 56 minutes.
Nicky Williams scored from the spot, although Town’s Liam Griffiths hit the bar soon after.
Griffiths netted Pontardawe’s third after 76 minutes, before Plas Madoc scored their second.
It was Griffiths who scored his second and completed Pontardawe’s 4-2 win.
The Football Association of Wales have confirmed the details of this season’s JD Welsh Cup semi-final ties.
Latham Park, the home of Newtown AFC, will host both matches over the weekend of Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.
The New Saints play Barry Town United in the first tie on Saturday (7.30pm) and that match will be broadcast live on S4C.
The second tie will see Cardiff Met and Connah’s Quay Nomads meet on Sunday, March 31 (12.30pm) in a game that will be live streamed on the Sgorio Facebook page and S4C website.
