After more than 450 minutes of football across the qualifying and early rounds already, the big boys of the JD Welsh Premier League enter Wales’ most prestigious cup competition this weekend.
And as the some of the pyramid’s biggest teams commence their campaign to get their hands on the cup, their chances of falling victim to a giant killing become greater.
Here, we take a look at where some of the third round’s potential upsets could happen.
Ynysddu Welfare vs Cefn Druids
Ynysddu Welfare could already be the story of this season’s JD Welsh Cup as the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
The Gwent County League side are in the third round for the first time in their history, and welcome the JD Welsh Premier’s Cefn Druids to the Pontllanfraith 3G on Saturday.
They have already secured upsets against Welsh Football League Division One’s Taffs Well and Division Two’s Monmouth Town, but defeating Cefn Druids, who played in the Europa League qualifying rounds just six months ago, will be a big ask.
But belief will be high in the home camp as the club prepares for its biggest ever game, and with a big following expected, a good atmosphere could get Ynysddu further into the history books against a Druids side who have so far struggled to break into the top six in the top flight.
Barry Town United vs Penybont
This a battle between two of Wales’ most exciting teams right now, as both Barry Town and Penybont are mounting title challenges in the JD Welsh Premier League and Welsh Football League Division One respectively.
Penybont are unbeaten so far this season and look set to battle for promotion to the top flight, where Barry are one of the league’s surprise packages, sitting just one point off the top spot having lost just four games from 16 played.
Whilst Barry’s Gavin Chesterfield will be looking for his side to replicate their league form, Rhys Griffiths has told Y Clwb Pel Droed that his side are the clear underdogs.
The game takes place at Jenner Park, which could see a famous upset if Penybont can upset the odds on Saturday.
Briton Ferry Llansawel v Llandudno
Struggling Llandudno are desperate for a win having failed to secure a victory in their past nine games.
But Briton Ferry Llansawel will not give them an easy ride at their Old Road ground, as the Welsh League Division One side eye a cup upset against Iwan Williams’ side.
The hosts sit ninth in their respective league, whilst Llandudno are enduring a torrid phase one which has seen them sink to the bottom of the JD Welsh Premier with just nine points from 16 games.
The cup could be a welcome distraction for the Seasiders, but Briton Ferry cannot be written off at home as they look to bounce back from a 4-1 defeat in the league against Afan Lido.
Llangefni Town v Llanelli Town
Like Briton Ferry, Llangefni also welcome one of the JD Welsh Premier’s basement boys to their Cae Bob Parry ground looking to take advantage of Llanelli’s woes.
Andy Hill’s side are 11th in the JD Welsh Premier and face the longest journey of the third round, making the 318 mile round trip to the Anglesey side, who are top of the Welsh Alliance Division One and battling for a return to the Huws Gray Alliance.
Llangefni come into the game in good cup form, having won a Cookson Cup quarter final thriller on Saturday, beating Llandudno Albion 6-5 on penalties having played out a 3-3 draw after AET.
Llanelli will meanwhile be looking for a morale-boosting win to avoid a long journey home to South Wales.
Featured Image: NCM Media
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