Preview: Welsh Football League Cup reaches semi-final stage
The semi-finals of the Welsh Football League Cup take place this week. Llanelli Town face Cwmbran Celtic on Tuesday at Marstons Stadium, home of Afan Lido. In the other tie, Pontypridd Town will do battle with Trefelin BGC at Aberaman Park, Aberdare for a place in the final.
The Reds, who are top of the Welsh Football League Division One, and won this competition last season, play a Cwmbran Celtic side who sit 12th in the Welsh Football League’s top tier. Llanelli will come into the game with confidence, having secured a 5-3 win over Cwmbran at Stebonheath towards the end of last month. The reverse fixture at Celtic Park was postponed back in October, meaning the sides will meet again on the 12th May.
Andy Hill’s men saw off AFC Llwydcoed 5-1 at the Welfare Ground in the quarter-finals, with goals from James Loveridge, Lee Trundle and a hat-trick from Jordan Follows seeing the Reds safely through. Llanelli defeated Afan Lido 3-0 and AFC Porth 7-1 in the previous rounds.
Cwmbran needed spot-kicks to see off fellow League One side Briton Ferry Llansawel in the previous round. Josh Bull and Chris Ham scored in regular time, with the Celts triumphing 7-6 on penalties. Previous results in the Cup included a 4-3 win against Ton Pentre in October, and a 2-1 victory over Penrhiwceiber Rangers at the beginning of the season in August.
Pontypridd Town were due to play Aberbargoed Buds in the quarter-final, however the Buds were unable to raise a side and had no option but to forfeit the tie. The Dragons find themselves third in League Two, seven points behind leaders STM Sports with three games in hand. A narrow 1-0 win away at Pontyclun in the first round was followed up with a 3-1 victory over Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC in the second round. Pontypridd’s last game in this competition was a 5-2 victory against Risca United back in October.
League Three side Trefelin BGC caused an upset by knocking out STM Sports, who are currently top of League Two, at Cardiff University Playing Fields. A first half goal from Jordan Edwards was enough to set up a semi-final tie with Pontypridd Town at Aberdare Town’s Aberaman Park this Wednesday, 11 April. The win against STM Sports was the third time in this season’s League Cup that the Port Talbot side have seen off opposition from the league above. A fourth win against a League Two side will see them into their first Welsh Football League Cup final.
(Featured image: Steve Roberts)
