WELSH CUP: Giant-killers Rhyl 1879 roar into the last four

JD WELSH CUP QUARTER-FINAL – SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 2 (Ali 38, Jones 68)
Barry Town United 1 (Hulbert 7)
ATTENDANCE: 805

While Belle Vue had witnessed many great past Welsh Cup victories involving the original Rhyl FC, Saturday’s success was certainly the finest in this competition in phoenix club 1879’s short history.

Paul Moore’s Lilywhites carried the Cymru North flag into the 2025-26 semi-finals with a superb home win over Cymru Premier outfit Barry at the now-named Hops and Barley Community Stadium.

Rhyl 1879 joined CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876, Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United in the first all-North Wales last four line-up in Wales’ most famous knockout competition since 1892-93 – 133 years ago.

Barry made the stronger start and took a seventh-minute lead when Ollie Hulbert kept up his record of scoring in every round of this season’s Welsh Cup.

The striker headed down smartly just outside the box, took the ball in his stride and volleyed clinically past keeper Alex Swindell for his eighth goal in four ties.

Rhyl danger man Jack Parry, who was 20 on Thursday, showed what he can do with a dynamic run rounded off by a curling 20-yard effort which keeper George Ratcliffe did well to hold.

Soon after, Parry lobbed goalwards from a corner and the ball frustratingly drifted just wide.

Barry responded when Ben Margetson’s header was well stopped by Swindell.

Then on 38 minutes came the equaliser, Ben Lawrence crossed from the right and Somalian international Mo Ali leapt like a dolphin to head past keeper Ratcliffe for 1-1.

The ground erupted and suddenly there was a real feeling an upset might be in the air.

The hosts were first to threaten after the restart when Dan Atkins turned brilliantly on the edge of the box and let fly, Ratcliffe being forced into his best save yet.

Ali was then the hero at the other end when he blocked a goalbound shot from Eliot Richards.

On 68 minutes came one of Belle Vue’s great moments, Billy Holmes fed the ball from midfield into the path of Archie Jones, who stole a march on two defenders and fired home a beauty – his 13th goal of the season.

Barry came storming back, but the Lilywhites defended like demons. The heavy pitch was taking its toll, but the hosts would not be denied.

The visitors had a great chance when sub Dan Smith received the ball a few yards out, but from nowhere that man Ali flung himself forward and the added pressure made the Barry man blast over the bar.

And there was still one amazing piece of heroism to come. A late strike which looked like a certain equaliser was somehow palmed onto the post and to safety by Swindell.

Rhylly amazing !

Tonight they’re going to party like it’s 1879!

RHYL 1879

Alex Swindell, Ben Lawrence, Billy Holmes, Mo Ali, Reece Fairhurst (c), Rocco Hewitt (Jason Foulkes 85), Morgan Murray (James Farr 70), Ben Lightfoot, Jack Parry (David Plesca 85), Dan Atkins (Sam Duffy 76), Archie Jones (Damase Kiwanda 70).

Rhyl 1879’s march to the semis

R1: Pwllheli (a) 3-1 (Paul Fleming, Ben Lightfoot, Archie Jones)
R2: Brickfield Rangers (h) 1-0 (Ben Lightfoot)
R3: Cwmbran Town (h) 3-2 (Ben Lightfoot pen, Jack Parry. Archie Jones)
R4: Porthmadog (a) 2-1 (Jack Parry, Ben Lightfoot)
QF: Barry Town United (h) 2-1 (Mo Ali, Archie Jones)