The Nathaniel MG Cup will be at stake as STM Sports of the JD Cymru South are in search of a famous upset, as they face JD Cymru Premier high-flyers Connah’s Quay Nomads.
In their debut season in the competition, the Mellons have made it all the way to the final, while the Nomads have gone one round further than their semi-final exit last season.
Leading up to the Saturday’s climax, we take a look at the finalists’ routes to the final.
First Round
Dale Gardiner’s side’s fantastic cup-run began back in August, with a trip to Pontypridd Town.
The Mellons’ campaign got off to a rocky start, going 2-0 down to The Dragons early in their first round encounter.
STM Sports typified the tenacity and determination they have shown throughout the cup-run, turning the game around courtesy of a Josh Graham hat-trick.
The striker halved the deficit with a diving header, before slotting two penalties home to turn the game completely on its head and send STM Sports through to the second round with a 3-2 win.
Second Round
A home-tie against Cwmbran Celtic was the next challenge for STM Sports.
The Cardiff outfit passed the test with flying colours, emphatically beating the JD Cymru South side 4-0.
Having taken a two-goal lead through Chris Worsley’s free-kick and Lamin Conteh’s low strike, it was striker Marcus Jones who then took centre stage, adding the third and fourth to complete the rout.
The second round also saw the addition of the JD Cymru Premier sides into the competition, as Connah’s Quay Nomads faced a trip to Rhyl.
Andy Morrison and his side progressed with an assured, professional performance.
First-half goals from Nathan Woolfe and Ryan Wignall were enough to send the Nomads through to the third round with a 2-0 win.
Third Round
Current leaders of the JD Cymru South, Haverfordwest County, posed a much sterner test for STM Sports.
The encounter between the two sides had to be decided on penalties, after the Mellons’ striker Josh Graham cancelled out Marcus Griffiths’ opener.
Chris Worsley struck the winning penalty to secure a 7-6 shootout win and send his side through to the quarter-finals.
(Image: NCM Media)
It was a similar case for Connah’s Quay Nomads, with the JD Cymru Premier high-flyers also needing a penalty shootout to progress.
They travelled to Clos Mytton to face Guilsfield of the JD Cymru North.
The Nomads’ dangerman Jamie Insall opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, only for Callum Bromley to level for the hosts after the break.
Despite being pushed all the way by the Guils, Andy Morrison’s side progressed with a 5-3 win on penalties.
Quarter Final
At the quarter-final stage, STM Sports faced their toughest test yet, in the club’s inaugural Nathaniel MG Cup campaign.
The Mellons faced a trip to Saturday’s venue, Latham Park, as they faced Newtown for a place in the semi final.
Despite their underdog status, The second-tier took the lead twice, with goals from Marcus Jones and Calum Bateman.
The Robins’ midfielder Alex Fletcher equalised for the hosts on both occasions, sending the game to a penalty shootout.
STM Sports advanced to the semi-final with a 4-3 win in the shootout, causing an upset as they knocked out JD Cymru Premier side Newtown.
Connah’s Quay Nomads’ quarter final fixture was much plainer sailing, as they overcame Flint Town with a 4-1 win at the Deeside Stadium.
Goals from Connor Harwood and Nathan Woolfe had the Nomads cruising before Mark Cadwallader halved the deficit.
A late Kyle Smith own-goal put the game to bed, while Michael Bakare added a fourth in added time to send Andy Morrison’s men through to the semi-final.
With victory over the Silkmen, the Nomads matched their record of last season’s campaign, when they fell at the penultimate hurdle at the hands of Cardiff Met.
Semi-Final
Competing for a place in the final, STM Sports played host to JD Cymru Premier side Aberystwyth Town.
Much like their quarter-final fixture against Newtown, the Mellons were the underdogs.
The game looked like it was to follow script, as Marc Williams fired the visitors, and favourites, ahead.
However, STM Sports struck back with goals on either side of half-time from Calum Bateman and Josh Graham respectively.
The Mellons side hung on to claim an unlikely 2-1 victory, knocking out Aberystwyth and securing their place in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
In their debut season in the competition, the JD Cymru South side knocked out a top-flight team for the second time, on their way to the Saturday’s final.
Mike Wilde celebrates after Connah’s Quay Nomads beat Bala Town. (Image: NCM Media)
Connah’s Quay Nomads’ semi-final was also a home-tie, as they faced fellow JD Cymru Premier high-flyers Bala Town at the Deeside Stadium.
In a fixture that, on paper, promised to be a tight affair, the Nomads took control of proceedings, claiming a 2-0 win over the Lakesiders.
With little under 15 minutes played, a penalty was dispatched by Callum Morris to give Andy Morrison’s men the lead.
On the stroke of half-time, Michael Wilde doubled the Nomads’ lead, sending his side through to the Nathaniel MG Cup Final.
Their 2-0 victory over Bala Town means that they have gone one better than last year’s campaign, and look to get their hands on the cup on Saturday.
With both sides needing penalty shootout victories on their routes to the final, it has undoubtedly been an eventful campaign for Saturday’s finalists.
Connah’s Quay Nomads go into the game as firm favourites, but STM Sports have proved with victories over Newtown and Aberystwyth that they can compete with Wales’ top-flight teams.
The Nathaniel MG Cup Final will be played at Latham Park, Newtown at 17:15 on Saturday, 1st February.
(Featured Image: NCM Media and Mike James)
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