Nathaniel MG Cup – three big ties involving North Wales clubs on Wednesday’s agenda

Wednesday night promises to be packed with exciting action as round three ties in the Nathaniel MG Cup take place.

Games involving North Wales are (all 7.45 pm kick-offs)
Caernarfon Town v Holywell Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads v The New Saints
Newtown v Bala Town
(also: Barry Town United v Llanelli Town, Cambrian United v Cardiff Met, Penybont v Briton Ferry Llansawel, Haverfordwest County v Swansea City)
Tuesday, September 16: Llandudno v Denbigh Town.

Caernarfon Town v Holywell Town

Cymru Premier leaders Caernarfon Town and Cymru North table-toppers Holywell Town will meet for the first time in a competitive game since 2017-18.
Both were in the Cymru Alliance League that season, Caernarfon winning 4-2 at The Oval, while it finished 1-1 in the return at Halkyn Road.
Both the Cofis and Wellmen are unbeaten in all competitions this season, so something will have to give at Go Goodwins Stadium in Llandudno, Caernarfon’s temporary home while improvements are being carried out on The Oval.
Holywell have played eight, won eight, while the Canaries have recorded five wins and two draws in their seven outings.
Caernarfon will be aiming to reach the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter finals for the first time in eight years
The Cofis currently sit three points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 home win over Barry Town United on Sunday. Richard Davies’ side triumphed 3-0 over Colwyn Bay in Round Two of this competition.
Holywell pulled off the biggest shock in Round Two as they triumphed 2-1 away to top-flight Flint Town United.
Ex-Caernarfon duo Jamie Breese and Fabrizio Murtas scored the decisive goals for Holywell in that second round win, and they will have their sights set on causing another upset against their former club.
Caernarfon boss Davies has just won the Cymru Premier Manager of the Month award for July and August, while Johnny Haseldin has achieved the same feat in the Cymru North.

Connah’s Quay Nomads v The New Saints

Most teams have a poor head-to-head record against The New Saints, but Connah’s Quay’s results against the Cymru Premier champions are more than respectable.
Cup holders TNS continue their defence of the trophy with a trip to three-time winners Nomads on Wednesday.
Both sides were emphatic winners in Round Two as Saints earned a 7-1 victory at home against Airbus UK Broughton, while the Nomads romped to a 9-0 outcome away against Ruthin Town.
After back-to-back draws in the JD Cymru Premier, the Saints returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 5-0 home victory over Haverfordwest County on Sunday. The Nomads did not play at the weekend, owing to international call-ups in their squad, but will be aiming to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Bala Town in their last outing.
The two sides have already met this season as TNS prevailed 3-0 over the Nomads in the league in August, Jordan Williams bagging a brace and Ben Wilson also found the net.

Newtown v Bala Town

2023 Nathaniel MG Cup winners Bala Town will aim to continue their impressive start to the season when they travel to Newtown.
Bala are currently third in the JD Cymru Premier table after earning 11 points from their first six matches, but they needed penalties to progress past Guilsfield in Round Two after a 2-2 draw at Clos Mytton.
Newtown, finalists of this competition in 2012, have started life in the JD Cymru North brightly after relegation from the top-flight last season, but did see their unbeaten start to the campaign come to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Llandudno on Saturday. The Robins won 3-2 over Buckley Town in the second round and are now aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
Bala are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Newtown, with the latest three encounters ending in draws.