Penydarren BGC are still unbeaten going into March. The team from Merthyr Tydfil are still chasing four trophies.
Manager Kerry Mullins and his Penydarren team lost their 100 per cent record in all competitions in a 1-1 Highadmit South Wales Alliance draw against Brecon Corries, but bounced back immediately with a 2-0 victory against Ynyshir Albions.
Their goals against Ynyshir were scored by Joshua Brogden, from a penalty, and Connor Keaton.
Mullins is adamant that promotion to Welsh League football is their priority this season, but the Penydarren club also accept that Sunday’s JD Sports Welsh Cup quarter-final at Bangor City is the biggest match in their history.
Former Cardiff City first team coach Kevin Nicholson is in charge at Welsh Premier League Bangor, who start favourites to inflict Penydarren’s first defeat of 2017-18.
Midfield player Steven Hewitt scored both Bangor goals in a 2-0 win against Cefn Druids and said: “It’s good to be at home. The Welsh Cup offers a route into Europe and hopefully we can be in place to nick a trophy.”
Bangor have won three of their last four WPL fixtures, keeping three clean sheets and Nicholson has watched Penydarren, who play in the fifth tier of Welsh football.
There are five coaches scheduled to make the trip from South Wales to Bangor on Sunday and the tie is also being shown live on S4C’s Sgorio programme (2.45pm kick-off).
Bangor must beware a Penydarren team and their 28-goals hitman Chris Owens.
The 30-year-old was captain of the Merthyr Town youth team as a teenager, while he had trials with Cardiff City, Southampton and Wolves.
Owens has scored 11 goals in Welsh Cup football this season, netting twice in their last 16 win against Welsh League Pontypridd Town.
“Promotion is our prime target, but this season has been a fairytale for us and we’d love to win cup competitions,” said Owens.
Penydarren BGC are also still involved in the FAW Trophy semi-finals and the John Owen Cup last eight.
The New Saints, runners-up to Bala in the Welsh Cup last season, travel to play Connah’s Quay Nomads in their quarter-final.
Saints and Nomads also met at Deeside Stadium last Saturday, TNS winning 1-0 in the League.
JD Sports Welsh Cup quarter-finals (ties to be played this weekend:
Saturday, March 3: Connahs Quay Nomads v The New Saints, Llandudno v Newtown, Carmarthen Town v Aberystwyth Town (all 2.30pm).
Sunday, March 4: Bangor City v Penydarren BGC (to be played on Sunday, March 4, to be shown live on Sgorio S4C).
Welsh Trophy semi-finals: Greenfield FC v Rhos Aelwyd (tie to be played at Airbus Broughton, 2.30pm); Penydarren BGC v Conwy Borough (tie to be played at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, 2.30pm).
Welsh Youth Cup semi-finals (ties to be played on Sunday, March 18, both at same neutral venue): Connahs Quay Nomads v Swansea City (12.30pm); Airbus Broughton v Cardiff City(3.30pm).
Highadmit South Wales Alliance John Owen Cup quarter-finals (due to be played this Saturday): Blaenrhondda v Cwm Welfare, Caerphilly Athletic v Grange Albion, Pencoed Athletic v Clwb Cymric, Penydarren BGC v Merthyr Saints (to be rearranged because Penydarren are in Welsh Cup this weekend).
South Wales Senior Cup quarter-finals (ties to be played on Saturday, March 17, 2pm): Cornelly United v Navi Merthyr; Hirwaun Sports v Pentrebach Labour or Penrhwceiber Con; Tonyrefail v AFC Whitchurch.
