Welsh Cup: Some of the best ‘Cupsets’ in recent years

This week, fans of Welsh football would have been encapsulated by the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup, which would have seen The New Saints take on Prestatyn Town and Caernarfon Town face Cardiff Met. 

With the semi-finals including a side from the JD Cymru North and from the JD Cymru Premier’s Playoff Conference, we take a look at the Welsh Cup’s recent upsets. 

28 January 2017 – Llanfair United 4-1 Cefn Druids

The JD Cymru Premier’s Cefn Druids were drawn to travel to Llanfair United in the Welsh Cup fourth round, a team two divisions below them.

Despite Steve Blenkinstop’s opener for Druids, a James Davies hatrick and a goal from Alun Hughes gave United a famous victory at Mount Field. 

Llanfair United would later be drawn to face Caernarfon Town, who comfortably beat them 7-0. 

30 April 2017 – Bala Town 2-1 The New Saints

In 2017’s final, The New Saints were favourite to add another trophy to their glittering cabinet, and looked set to do so when Greg Draper gave them the lead. 

However, an equaliser from Jordan Evans, who now plays for Airbus UK Broughton, and a winner from Kieran Smith, heading home Chris Venables’ cross sealed Bala Town’s first Welsh Cup triumph. 

Manager Colin Caton told BBC Wales: “It means everything winning it for the first time.

“It’s difficult to challenge TNS because they’re so good but in a one off occasion it’s gone our way.

27 January 2018 – Pontypridd Town 1-2 Penydarren

Penydarren of the fifth tier of Welsh football claimed a famous victory in the 2017-18 competition, knocking out Pontypridd Town in the fourth round, who were two leagues above them. 

A double from Penydarren’s Chris Colvin either side of James Hill’s goal for Pontypridd sealed a 2-1 victory. 

Despite eventually being knocked out by a 7-0 scoreline at the hands of Bangor City, reaching the quarter-final of the Welsh Cup was a fantastic achievement. 

6 March 2018 – Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 The New Saints

With Connah’s Quay Nomads’ success under Andy Morrison this season, their scalp of The New Saints in 2018 would arguably be much less of a shock today. 

Michael Bakare cancelled out Aeron Edwards’ opener, all before Callum Morris’ penalty saw the Nomads progress. 

Connah’s Quay Nomads went on to lift the Welsh Cup in 2018, beating Aberystwyth Town 4-1 at Latham Park.

8 December 2018 – Llangefni Town 1-0 Llanelli Town

Despite Llanelli Town’s eventual relegation to the JD Cymru South in the 2018-19 season, a defeat to third-tier side Llangefni Town was certainly unexpected. 

A corner-kick was failed to be cleared by Llanelli Town, resulting in Alan Mark Owen tapping home to send his side through to the fourth round of the Welsh Cup. 

Llangefni would later be knocked out by JD Cymru Premier side Llandudno, by a scoreline of 1-3. 

6 December 2019 – Carmarthen Town 0-4 Ammanford

Despite the Old Gold’s struggles in the JD Cymru Premier, their trouncing at the hands of JD Cymru South side Ammanford in this year’s third round was unexpected.

On the night, Carmarthen Town just couldn’t deal with the pace and directness of young Gavin Jones, who netted the first two, whilst fans of Swansea City and Wrexham were dealt a flashback, with Lee Trundle grabbing the third and capping off the night with a fantastic solo effort for 4-0. 

Ammanford would later crash out of the competition by the same scoreline, as they faced Caernarfon Town. 

29 February 2020 – Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-2 Cardiff Met University

Having already clinched the Nathaniel MG Cup in 2020 with a 3-0 win over STM Sports and leading the JD Cymru Premier, not many fans of Welsh football would have expected Connah’s Quay Nomads to have lost in this year’s Welsh Cup quarter-final, as the prospect of a treble loomed.

As captain George Horan gave the Nomads the lead before half-time, the fixture looked to follow script, until goals from Chris Baker and Will Evans turned the game on its head and rewarded Met with a place in the Welsh Cup semi-final, where they are to face the Cofis. 

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)