Let’s review that Welsh Cup draw – which ties stand out?

100 clubs, 50 ties, the northern section first qualifying round of the 2025-26 JD Welsh Cup threw up some interesting pairings.

Let’s take a look at a few of them…..

Blue Bridge v Cemaes Bay

Having finished bottom of their tier 5 division last season and failing to pick up a win, Blue Bridge are probably one of the lowest ranked teams in this term’s Welsh Cup.
However, the Rhyl-based club have made some promising signings over the summer and their first-ever tie in the national knockout should be a great occasion.
Bridge take on Cemaes Bay, past winners of the tier 2 Cymru Alliance and tier 3 Welsh Alliance leagues as well as being one of just two clubs from Anglesey to compete in the Welsh Premier.
All that was a good 30 years ago or more, though. Nowadays, the islanders operate in tier 4, but have a strong squad for the campaign ahead which includes North Wales football’s all-time record scorer Asa Thomas.

Broughton United v CPD Penrhyndeudraeth

After winning the North East Wales League Championship title at the first attempt last season, promoted Broughton have so much to look forward to in 2025-26.
As well as the prospect of competing in the new North East Wales League Division 1, the Flintshire club have entered the Welsh Cup for the first time and their opposition will be Penrhyndeudraeth of the fourth-tier North Wales Coast League West Premier.
Penrhyn are a good, experienced side and should provide a big test for Broughton.

Caergybi v Trearddur Bay

One of the most eye-catching pairings of the first qualifying round.
Tier 5 will host Tier 3 with Caergybi, who are no strangers to causing cup upsets, welcoming Ardal North West outfit Trearddur Bay to Millbank.
Players on both sides will be familiar with each other and with it being an island derby, there is no guarantee which way it will go.

Cefn Albion v Rhos Aelwyd

Talking of crunch derbies, how about this one!
An all-Tier 3 Ardal North East battle will see Cefn Albion entertain Rhos Aelwyd in a potential Wrexham area classic.
With Albion recruiting well over the summer, they might be narrow favourites, but on this sort of occasion you can never count out Rhos.

Machynlleth v Menai Bridge Tigers

This match-up will evoke fond memories for the Tigers, who won 3-1 at Mid-Wales side Machynlleth in the 2021-22 FAW Amateur Trophy.
Goals that day for the visitors came via Andy Wannop, Robbie Jones and Callum Thomas.
Having signed the likes of goal machines Jamie McDaid and Jonathan Sadler this summer, Menai Bridge will be going all out to bounce back from last season’s relegation from tier 3 and have a successful, goal-packed campaign in the T4 North Wales Coast West Premier. And a good cup run would be a boost too.

Mochdre Sports v CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876

One of the true ‘glamour’ clubs in this opening round are Bangor City 1876, who rose very quickly from tier 5 to tier 2 before being relegated to Ardal North West last season.
Michael Johnston’s side can expect a tricky task at tier 4 North Wales Coast East Premier Division team Mochdre Sports, who always have a big perfrmance in them and will be relishing this contest.

Prestatyn Town v Corwen

Having returned to tier 3 for the first time since 2005-06 this season, Prestatyn Town are in the rare position of entering the Welsh Cup at the first qualifying round stage.
The Seasiders, who lifted the cup in 2012-13, have a tough prospect first up in the shape of Corwen, a tier 3 team more than capable of pulling off a major win.
This could be one of the closest battles of the round.

Llanfair United v CPD Gaerwen

Revenge for Llanfair?
The early stages of last season’s Welsh Cup featured two sensational performances from tier 5 Gaerwen, who won away at T3 sides Llanfair and Rhos Aelwyd to reach the first round proper.
Still in Ardal North East, Powys-based Llanfair will no doubt be focused on setting the record straight when they host the Anglesey villagers from North Wales Coast West Division One for the second season running at this point of the competition.
Meanwhile, Gaerwen will be determined to show their 2024-25 penalties success at Mount Field was no fluke.

First qualifying round fixtures will be played across the weekend of 25 July.

Berriew v Llanfyllin Town
Bethesda Rovers v Llanrug United
Blue Bridge v Cemaes Bay
Bontnewydd v CPD Llannefydd
Broughton United v CPD Penrhyndeudraeth
Caergybi v Trearddur Bay
Cefn Albion v Rhos Aelwyd
CPD Cefni v Bow Street
CPD Cerrigydrudion v Llangoed and District
Chirk AAA v Kinmel Bay
Coedpoeth United v CPD Deiniolen
Connah’s Quay Town v Llay Welfare
Conwy Borough v Rhydymwyn
FC Queen’s Park v Mynydd Llandegai
CPD Y Felinheli v Bethesda Athletic
Four Crosses v Talysarn Celts
Glan Conwy v CPD Y Glannau
Glantraeth v Gwalchmai
Hawarden Rangers v Llanilar
CPD Henllan v Llandudno Amateurs
Kerry v Penycae
Lex XI v Builth Wells
Llandrindod Wells v Llangollen Town
Llandudno Junction v Nantlle Vale
Llandyrnog United v NFA
Llanfair United v CPD Gaerwen
Llanfairfechan Town v Dolgellau AA
Llangefni Town v CPD Llanystumdwy
Llanidloes Town v Llanfairpwll
CPD Llannerchymedd v Waterloo Rovers
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant v Forden United
Llansantffraid Village v Bro Cernyw
CPD Llanuwchllyn v Llanrwst United
Machynlleth v Menai Bridge Tigers
Mochdre Sports v CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876
Montgomery Town v CPD Llanberis
Mynydd Isa v Nefyn United
Penyffordd Lions v Knighton Town
Porthmadog v Barmouth and Dyffryn
Prestatyn Sports v Penmaenmawr Phoenix
Prestatyn Town v Corwen
CPD Pwllheli v Amlwch Town
Rhayader Town v Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateurs
Rhos United v Pentraeth
Rhostyllen v Deeside Dragons
Rhuddlan Town v Greenfield
St Asaph City v Castell Alun Colts
Saltney Town v Holyhead Town
Sychdyn United v Abermule
Welshpool Town v Meliden