Welsh Cup round two northern section previews – any upsets in the air on Saturday?

Saturday’s is Welsh Cup round two day.
Here’s a look ahead to the ties involving North Wales teams.

WELSH CUP ROUND TWO (kick-offs 2 pm unless stated)

Aberystwyth Town v Prestatyn Town

As soon as this one came out of the hat memories flooded back to 2016-17 when then Tier 2 Prestatyn romped to a 5-1 Welsh Cup fourth round victory at Park Avenue over Cymru Premier Aberystwyth.
It was a big upset in favour of a Prestatyn outfit on their way to win that season’s Cymru Alliance title.
Ten seasons on, it is now Aber who are in Tier 2, while Prestayyn are flying high in the third-tier Ardal North West.
Undefeated in 25 league and cup matches dating back to February 2026, a 4-3 reverse in the FAW Amateur Trophy away to Pontardawe, Aden Shannon’s Bastion Gardens warriors are showing the sort of form which could create another surprise.
However, Craig Williams’ men have lost just two of their last 10, both at home to Caerau Ely and Treowen Stars in Cymru South.
Quite why Aberystwyth are in the northern draw while playing in a south league, while Radnor Valley are in the southern section but play in Ardal North East, is somewhat of a mystery.
However, Saturday’s clash at Park Avenue has the potential to spring an unexpected result.

Bala Town v Holyhead Hotspur

Another match-up which evokes a memorable past encounter – this one dating back to the 2008-09 season.
While Bala won the Cymru Alliance title, they were halted in their tracks in the closing weeks by a Holyhead Hotspur side which blitzed the Lakesiders 4-1 at Maes Tegid, Mike Kelly, Kenleigh Owen, Jon Newell and man of the match Curt Williams sharing the goals.
Victory that day would have clinched Bala the championship. Hotspur, though, held them up and went on to finish runners-up, just three points behind Colin Caton’s side.
Bala progressed to the Welsh Premier and remained there until last season, when they got relegated to the Cymru North, where they are now reunited with Hotspur.
Bala’s home form this term has been patchy after a fine start, while Holyhead have overall been inconsistent but are always capable of a big result.

Brickfield Rangers v Llangefni Town

Current Cymru North leaders Brickfield are expected to have the edge over a Llangefni side which has made an average start at best in Tier 3 Ardal North West.
Rangers did get shaken up last weekend when beaten 4-0 at home by Mold, while Cefni were walloped 4-1 by visitors Llay Welfare. Both teams will be on a mission to bounce back today.

Buckley Town v Colwyn Bay

Another tie with upset potential as in-form Cymru North side Buckley welcome Cymru Premier hopefuls Bay to The Globe.
These two have met regularly since the Seagulls’ return to Welsh football in 2019-20, but past results do not favour the Bucks, who have lost seven of their last eight league and cup meetings with the Blue Turtle Arena side.
Nonetheless, today is a different day and cup games are one-off occasions which can deliver the unexpected.
Dave Evans’ Buckley are in fine nick – unbeaten in nine – and have won their last three on the road, piling up 18 goals in the process in seeing off Y Glannau (9-0), Bangor City 1876 (6-2) and Bala Town (3-2).
However, Bay have won five of their last six and broke their away league duck last weekend with a 1-0 success at Flint which places them fifth in the Cymru Prem.

Cefn Albion v CPD Y Felinheli

An all-Tier 3 tussle which could prove very interesting.
Ardal North East Albion have gone off the boil, failing to win in three after a great run of form, but the Wrexham-area side have come up against strong opponents of late.
Felinheli have lost just once in nine matches and won three of their last four on their travels.

Coedpoeth United v Guilsfield

Tier 4 takes on Tier 2 in a true David v Goliath encounter.
Fifth in North East Wales Division 1, Coedpoeth have lost just one of their last eight, but that was a 7-1 caning at Airbus, who play at the same level – Cymru North – as Guilsfield.
Guils’ run of four straight wins ended at home to Denbigh Town last weekend, but they are a strong unit who will pose a serious test for the Wrexham-area hosts.

Flint Town United v Caernarfon Town (7.45 pm)

This one caught the eye when the balls came out of the hat – a repeat of last season’s final which Caernarfon won 3-0.
The Cofis have already defeated the Silkmen 3-0 again in the Cymru Premier this season, but under new manager Danny Holmes, the Essity Stadium side have shown much improvement, although they did falter against visitors Colwyn Bay last time out.

CPD Llannefydd v Llandudno

Llannefydd have already labelled this potentially the biggest game in their history.
The visit of Cymru Premier team Llandudno should provide a major hurdle for the Tier 3 hosts, who are unbeaten in Ardal North West this season and lie second in the standings.
With home advantage, Llannefydd must have a chance of a giant-killing, although with the experience in their ranks, the betting market will lean towards Tudno.

Llay Welfare v Holywell Town

Similar to the Llannefydd v Llandudno tie, this tussle puts Tier 3 at home to Tier 1.
Holywell have won all five battles with Llay in recent seasons, but on Saturday there will be the biggest gap yet between the two combatants – two leagues.
While the Wellmen are bottom of the Cymru Premier and still without a win, they should have the edge, but one cannot totally rule out a Welly side which has bagged three straight away victories and only lost on penalties to Cymru North leaders Brickfield in the NEWFA Cup.

Llysfaen v Mochdre Sports

Another tie many will be keeping an eye on as whatever happens we are guaranteed at least one northern Tier 4 or 5 side in the last 32.
Tier 5 Llysfaen have been magnificent all season, in all knockout competitions as well as the Welsh Cup, and have already eliminated one T4 team in Barmouth and Dyffryn from this season’s tournament.
They were also unfortunate to lose out to a last-gasp goal at T4 Conwy Borough in the last stage of the FAW Amateur Trophy.
Mochdre Sports from the North Wales Coast East Premier Division are great cup fighters themselves.
They lifted the Cookson Cup last season and possess a very talented squad.
Great tie which captures all the romance of the cup. It seems unfair, however, that Llysfaen are not allowed to play on their unique Bananabeu pitch and have been forced to host at Llanelian Road, Colwyn Bay FC, instead.

Newtown v Llanuwchllyn

Newtown have already seen off Llanuwchllyn 4-0 in the Cymru North this season, and with the Robins lying third and their visitors 10th in the Tier 2 league, the odds favour a Robins triumph at Latham Park.

Penycae v Dolgellau AA

On paper this has the makings of a well-balanced all-Ardal North East tie at Afoneitha Road.
Third-place Penycae host Dolgellau in fourth, however a very recent meeting between the pair could hint at a potential outcome on Saturday.
Dol whipped Pen 5-1 at home in the league nly last Saturday. Do Cae have what it takes to exact revenge at home, or will it be the Cae Marian team’s day again?

ROUND TWO RESULTS – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Airbus UK Broughton 1 The New Saints 2
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 Porthmadog 0
Denbigh Town 0 CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 2