We are about to discover which clubs will book their place in the JD Welsh Cup final.
Last weekend delivered two major developments in the Welsh game.
Barry Town United stunned holders The New Saints with a 2–0 victory in the Nathaniel MG Cup final, producing one of the season’s biggest upsets.
Just three days later, The New Saints responded emphatically by sealing their 18th JD Cymru Premier title after edging Connah’s Quay Nomads 2–1.
With those honours already claimed, the spotlight now falls on the Welsh Cup semi-finals this weekend — and the competition has taken on a distinctly unpredictable feel.
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Only two top-flight clubs remain among the last four. Flint Town United and Caernarfon Town are the sole representatives from the Cymru Premier still standing, while the other places have been taken by lower-tier challengers Rhyl and Bangor City.
History offers little encouragement for the remaining top-tier sides. Flint’s solitary Welsh Cup triumph came all the way back in 1954, while Caernarfon have never lifted the trophy.
Meanwhile, both Rhyl and Bangor City arrive from outside the top flight and harbour dreams of pulling off something extraordinary.
Rhyl currently sit fifth in the JD Cymru North, while Bangor are setting the pace in North Wales Coast West Premier Division (North League 2).
For Bangor in particular, the campaign has been nothing short of remarkable.
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Under manager Michael Johnston, the club have been relentless across competitions.
They have played 36 games in all tournaments this season, winning an astonishing 33 of them and suffering just a single defeat — against Llannefydd.
Their momentum has carried them deep into multiple competitions. Alongside their Welsh Cup run, Bangor have reached the semi-finals of both the North League Cup and the FAW Amateur Cup.
A key driver behind that success has been prolific forward Corrig McGonigle. The striker has scored 31 goals across all competitions this season, including four in the Welsh Cup so far.
But Bangor’s attacking threat extends well beyond one player. Veteran forward Jamie Reed, now 38, has also enjoyed a productive campaign with 16 goals.
Reed knows what it takes to succeed in the competition, having been part of the Bangor side that lifted the Welsh Cup in 2010 — playing alongside his current manager Johnston.
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Reed has also experienced success with The New Saints, while teammate Declan McManus has also collected a Welsh Cup winner’s medal during his career.
Bangor’s attacking output has been formidable in the competition as well. With 28 goals already scored during their cup run, they are just seven short of matching the 35-goal tournament record set by The New Saints last year.
For Johnston, the competition holds a special place.
“The Welsh Cup is special to me and in order to go and win the thing you’ve got to go and beat the best teams.
"We’re pleased to be this far in the competition, and hopefully we can go that one step further, and maybe even win it – we can all dream, can’t we?” said Johnston.
“What we’re doing in the cup this year is special, and I know that this one will feel the most special to me. I feel like we talk about the final a lot, but we’ve still got a big, big game coming up against Flint.
“Flint are a very, very tough side and we need to get through that game. But if you’re talking about what-ifs, definitely this would be high up there with the biggest achievement that I’ve had.”
Standing between Bangor and the final are Flint Town United, who have no intention of allowing the fairytale to continue unchallenged.
Flint arrive for the semi-final at GoGoodwin Stadium in strong form, currently riding a six-match unbeaten run that includes four victories.
Their experience at a higher level could prove crucial as they attempt to halt Bangor’s surge.
The other semi-final will take place tomorrow when Rhyl face Caernarfon Town at the Blue Turtle Arena (1.30pm).
Caernarfon head into the contest after ending a difficult spell with a convincing 3–0 victory over Colwyn Bay in their most recent outing.
Their Welsh Cup journey has already featured impressive performances against top-flight opposition, having eliminated three Cymru Premier clubs on the way to the final four.
Rhyl, however, have shown they are more than capable of competing with teams from the tier above. Their quarter-final triumph over Barry Town United — a 2–1 victory — demonstrated they will not be overawed by the challenge.
Whatever the outcome this weekend, one thing is already guaranteed: the final will feature an all-north Wales showdown.
The two winners will meet in the Welsh Cup final in Newport on 12 April, ensuring that a club from the region will be lifting one of Welsh football’s most prestigious trophies.
