JD Welsh Cup last 16 weekend – how many north sides might progress?

This Saturday much excitement will be in the air when fourth round ties in the JD Welsh Cup take place.

In quite a remarkable piece of fate, there is only one all-North Wales clash scheduled for the last 16 – Tier 3 Porthmadog home to Cymru North club CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

The other seven northern sides still remaining in the competition are all up against South Wales opposition.

So, the makings are there for a fantastic day for the north or, if one is having a glass-half-empty spell, a potential disaster for the Gogs.

Here’s a look at the eight ties on the roster for Saturday….

WELSH CUP ROUND OF 16 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 (2 pm unless stated)

CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 v Trefelin BGC

Huge test for Tier 3 Ardal North West leaders Bangor against a side sitting second in the second-tier JD Cymru South.
However, the Citizens have already knocked out two Tier 2 clubs in Guilsfield and Holywell Town in the national knockout so far.
Unbeaten in 21 matches across all competitions this season, Michael Johnston’s side have nothing to fear, yet on status alone it is likely they will be pushed hard.

Barry Town United v Gresford Athletic

Unbeaten in 10 matches, seventh in the Cymru Premier, will Barry Town United be too strong for a Gresford outfit lying next-to-bottom in T2 Cymru North?
Although Athletic had a great win at Penrhiwceiber Rangers in the last round, Barry are a different level altogether and it might be a bridge too far for the Wrexham area visitors. Hopefully not.

Caerau Ely v Llandudno

Cracker on the cards as Caerau Ely, sixth in Tier 2 Cymru South, host a Llandudno side top of Cymru North and in magnificent form.
Although Tudno lost 2-1 at The New Saints in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals last weekend, that was the Seasiders’ first defeat in 13 games and they were mightily unlucky to not at least force penalies against the holders.
Far from knocking their confidence, Llandudno’s display at Park Hall should only boost their belief that they have it well within their capabilities to see off Caerau Ely.
Having already eliminated last season’s finalists Connah’s Quay Nomads in this term’s Welsh Cup, the Go Goodwins Stadium club have nothing to be frightened of.

Cardiff Met University v Caernarfon Town (5.25 pm – live on S4C)

Met have already done the Welsh Cup a huge favour by dumping out trophy hoggers The New Saints – now can they do the north another good turn by failing miserably against the Canaries?
These two teams meet a lot. This season they have shared two Cymru Premier tussles with Met winning 3-0 away and drawing 2-2 at home.
Of course last term, the pair battled it out in the play-off semi-finals and Caernarfon edged it on pens.
Met are on good form and will take some beating. With TNS, Nomads and Bala all out, there is a major chance for other Cymru Premier hopefuls to make their mark in this season’s Welsh Cup. Could we be looking at a potential competition winner in this round four head-to-head?

Penybont v Flint Town United

A very difficult task for Flint, who have lost 4-3 at home and 5-0 away to third-place fellow Cymru Premier foes Penybont this season.
However, the South Walians have looked far from unbeatable on several occasions of late.
One suspects, however, it will take a bit of a home team off-day and a top class away performance to end up celebrating a northern success.

Pontypridd United v Colwyn Bay

Long journey for Bay to take on Pontypridd of the Cymru South.
Ponty have been no great shakes this season, though, occupying 10th spot, while Bay have produced a really good phase 1 back in the Cymru Premier, presently holding fifth spot,
Definitely a decent chance of an away triumph here.

Porthmadog v CPD Y Rhyl 1879

Tier 3 high-flyers Porthmadog will be relishing the visit of Rhyl 1879, who they will remember well from their Ardal North West tussles last season.
Port have fought through some close battles in the cup this term, but have scrapped their way into the last 16, Cymru North Buckley among their victims.
Rhyl 1879 really lifted themselves last weekend to beat Holywell 3-1 in Cymru North and will travel to the Traeth full of confidence.
Last season, the Lilywhites lost to Port at home on pens in the Ardal North League Cup before going down 2-1 at Y Traeth in the league, but Paul Moore’s men got revenge by defeating their rivals 3-1 at the Hops and Barley Community Stadium, a victory which was a massive turning point in their title triumph.
Could be another close one….possibly penalties again?

Trearddur Bay v Newport City (5 pm at Treborth Playing Fields near Bangor)

Difficult task for Trearddur Bay of Tier 3 against a Newport City outfit currently fifth in Cymru South.
However, Bay are on a magical streak of seven straight victories and 19-goal leading scorer Tom Hilditch is flying.
Newport will battle right to the end, as they proved in winning the 2023-24 FAW Amateur Trophy final 5-4 against Penrhyncoch.
Trearddur will need to be on their best form to make the quarter-finals.