Welsh Cup round one draw review – potential upsets all over the place!

Could there be a few northern upsets on the cards in the first round proper of the 2026-27 FAW Welsh Cup next month?

Thursday’s draw threw up several interesting looking ties where the underdog looks capable of achieving a headline-making giant-killing.

Tier 5 clubs Llysfaen and Meliden both recorded great wins in last Saturday’s second qualifying round.
Meliden knocked out higher-tier Cerrigydrudion on penalties, while Llysfaen celebrated a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over Bethesda Rovers.

Both North Wales Coast East Division One clubs are into the first round proper for the first time in their respective histories.

Llysfaen have landed a home clash with Tier 4 Central Wales League North outfit Barmouth and Dyffryn, while Meliden face a tough test at T3 Ardal North West side CPD Y Felinheli, who won at Kinmel Bay in the last round.

With both T5 teams in great form at present, neither can be ruled out in their battles with higher-level opponents.

One of the very best performances in QR2 was Tier 4 CPD Y Glannau’s win at a strong T3 Ardal North East team in Knighton Town.

Y Glannau’s reward is a plum home tie against T2 Cymru North Buckley Town. If the St Asaph based North Wales Coast Premier outsiders maintain present results they must have a live chance of a repeat shock result.

Free-scoring Menai Bridge Tigers, leaders of the T4 North Wales Coast West Premier, have really hit the jackpot by securing a home tie with past finalists and former Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town, now of Cymru South.

It is difficult to fathom why Aber are in the northern draw, especially when a team such as Radnor Valley, who play in a northern league (Ardal North East) have been placed in the southern section.

Whatever the reason, there is no denying the fact Menai Bridge have scooped a real David versus Goliath contest and the Ynys Mon team are proving so prolific in front of goal this campaign, one cannot rule them out of a potential huge giant-slaying.

Tier 2 Cymru North side Denbigh Town have a possible banana skin to negotiate at home to Trearddur Bay, who have made a great start to the season in T3 Ardal North West and possess a number of match-winners. A tie to certainly keep an eye on.

For all the favourites v longshots pairings, there are also some ties featuring two same-standard teams which are hard to call.

Two all-Cymru North games stand out – Bangor City 1876 v Mold Alexandra and Brickfield Rangers v CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

CN leaders Brickfield are managed by ex-Rhyl FC hero Gareth Wilson. Recent meetings between Rangers and 1879 have been very close and with home advantage the Wrexham hopefuls should start slight favourites.

The same is probably true for hosts Bangor City 1876, but Mold can beat anyone on their day and have to be in with a 50-50 chance of progressing.

Another all-T2 affair is Penrhyncoch v Porthmadog, but based on how the season has started for this duo one would lean towards a Port success. Holyhead Hotspur v Caersws is one which could end up very tight.

Among the most attractive all Tier 3 tussles is Llanrwst United v Prestatyn Town, while for cup romance the T2 Llanuwchllyn versus T4 Llanberis tie could see in opposition North Wales’ goal-king of the past two seasons, Meilir Williams, and the Cymru Premier all-time record marksman Marc Lloyd Williams, 53, involved in a shootout for glory.

So many other good ties on the menu with more than a slight chance of a big name being toppled.

WELSH CUP ROUND ONE NORTHERN SECTION
Ties to be played September 18-20

Bangor City 1876 v Mold Alexandra
Brickfield Rangers v CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Cefn Albion v Gresford Athletic
Coedpoeth United v St Asaph City
Denbigh Town v Trearddur Bay
CPD Gaerwen v Dolgellau AA
Holyhead Hotspur v Caersws
CPD Y Felinheli v Meliden
Guilsfield v Mynydd Isa
Hawarden Rangers v Llangefni Town
CPD Llannefydd v Conwy Borough
Llanrwst United v Prestatyn Town
Llanuwchllyn v CPD Llanberis
Llay Miners Welfare v Ruthin Town
Llysfaen v Barmouth and Dyffryn United
Menai Bridge Tigers v Aberystwyth Town
Mochdre Sports v CPD Pwllheli
Nantlle Vale v Penycae
Penrhyncoch v Porthmadog
CPD Y Glannau v Buckley Town