Key changes made to 2021/22 edition of JD Welsh Cup

The Football Association of Wales have today announced some key changes to the format of the JD Welsh Cup.

The National Cup Board, which oversees Cup competitions have made some amendments to one of the oldest cup competitions in world football.

After clubs have been starved for more than 15 months for competitive football, teams can once again dream of lifting one of Welsh football’s top prizes.

A total of 243 teams have entered the cup, an increase of 17% from the previous edition.

The rule changes include should a tie finish level then it will end up as a penalty shoot-out rather than an additional thirty minutes as well as the prospect of spot-kicks.

Cymru Premier clubs will now enter at the earlier stage of Round Two, alongside half of the Tier Two clubs who weren’t drawn at the Round One stage.

There will also be a seeding system for Round Two, meaning it is likely to see ‘David vs Goliath’ ties.

Prize money will be awarded for every win in the competition, including the Qualifying Round One which starts on Saturday. As a result, the prize pot this season is £189,000.

And in the future, a coefficient ranking system will help clubs earn byes and seeing placements in future editions of the Welsh Cup.

Conference Dates

QR1 – Saturday, 10 July 2021
QR2 – Saturday, 24 July 2021
R1 – Saturday, 14 August 2021
R2 – Saturday, 4 September 2021
R3 – Saturday, 25 September 2021
R4 – Saturday, 16 October 2021
QF – Saturday, 19 February 2022
SF – Saturday, 26 February 2022
Final – 30 April, 1 or 2 May 2022

First Qualifying Round Draw

North

Amlwch Town v CPD Pentraeth
Bangor 1876 v Menai Bridge Tigers
Bethel United v CPD Waunfawr
Blaenau Ffestiniog v Meliden
Bodorgan v Bodedern Athletic
Caerwys v Llanelwy
Castell Alun Colts v Brickfield Rangers
Coedpoeth United v FC Queens Park
CPD Cefni v Caergybi
CPD Henllan v Bro Cernyw
CPD Llanberis v Llanrug United
CPD Llannefydd v CPD Llansannan
CPD Y Fali v CPD Bro Goronwy
CPD Y Rhyl 1879 v Rhyl Dragons
Gaerwen v Glantraeth
Greenfield v Rhydymwyn
Halkyn & Flint Mountain v Connahs Quay Town
Hawarden Rangers v Mynydd Isa Spartans
Llanerch-Y-Medd v CPD Aberffraw
Llanfairfechan Town v Llandudno Junction
Llysfaen v Gwalchmai
Mountain Rangers v Nefyn United
New Brighton Villa v Chirk AAA
Penmaenmawr Phoenix v Llandrynog United
Penrhyndeudraeth v Talysarn Celts
Penycae v Lex XI
Prestatyn Sports v NFA
Pwllheli v Llanystumdwy
Rhos Aelwyd v Cefn Mawr Rangers
Ruabon Rovers v Saltney Town
St Asaph City v Rhuddlan Town
Trearddur Bay Bulls v Llangoed & District FC
Y Felinheli v Mynydd Llandegai

Central

Aberaeron v Borth United
Abermule v Four Crosses
Brecon Corries v Carno FC
Dolgellau AA v Machynlleth FC
Hay St Marys v Knighton Town
Llansantffraid Village v Waterloo Rovers
Montgomery Town v Llanymynech
Radnor Valley v Presteigne St Andrews
Rhayader Town v Builth Wells
Tregaron Turfs v Penparcau
Tywyn Bryncrug v Barmouth & Dyffryn United

South

Aber Valley v Tredegar Town
Aberdare Town v Cwmbach Royal Stars
Aberfan v Vale United
Abergavenny Town v New Inn FC
AC Pontymister v Pill YMCA
AFC Penrhiwceiber v Penrhiwceiber Rangers
AFC Porth v Maesteg Park
Baglan Dragons v FC Porthcawl
Blaenrhondda v Ynyshir Abions
Bryn Rovers v Ystradgynlais AFC
Canton Rangers v Aberystwyth Exiles
Cardiff Airport v Cardiff Draconians
Cardiff Corinthians v Canton Liberal
Cefn Hengoed v Aberbargoed Buds
Clwb Cymric v Bridgend Street
Croesyceiliog v Abertillery Bluebirds
Cwm Wanderers v Seven Sisters Onllwyn
Cwmbran v Monmouth Town
Dafen Welfare v Newcastle Emlyn
Docks Albion v AFC Whitchurch
Fairwater FC v Ely Rangers
FC Tredegar v Machen FC
Garw SBGC v Ton & Gelli BGC
Gorseinon Athletic v Morriston Town
Merthyr Saints v AFC Llwydcoed
Mumbles Rangers v Penlan Club
Newport City FC v Caerleon
Newport Civil Service v Newport Corinthians
Pentwynmawr Athletic v Abertillery Excelsiors
Pontyclun FC v Cefn Cribwr
Porthcawl Town Athletic v CRC OlympicSouth Gower FC v Pontarddulais Town
St Albans FC v Chepstow Town FC
Ton Pentre v Pencoed Athletic
Treharris Athletic Western v FC Cwmaman
Treowen Stars v Panteg AFC
Trethomas Bluebirds v Caerphilly Athletic
Trostre AFC v Evans & Williams FC
Wattsville v Rogerstone AFC
West End FC v Rockspur FCYnysddu Welfare v Treforest FC
Ynysygerwn AFC v Giants Grave FC