Bangor City, Connah’s Quay, and Pontypridd learn Welsh Cup fate
Bangor City won on penalties against Llangefni Town. (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
The Bute Energy Welsh Cup has thrown up several intriguing ties, with clubs from across the Welsh women’s football pyramid discovering who they will face in the first round.
The draw includes a Flintshire derby, a repeat of last season’s Pontypridd meeting and a North Wales clash between Bangor City 1876 and Adran North champions Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The second qualifying round ties are scheduled to be played on October 18, 2026.
Bangor City 1876 handed tough home tie against Connah’s Quay
Bangor City 1876 will welcome Connah’s Quay Nomads to North Wales after progressing through their previous tie against Llangefni Town.
The Citizens edged past Llangefni on penalties in the last round, with Menna Evans putting her side ahead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Former Bangor forward Milly Lowe later levelled the game, before Cerys MacDonald converted the winning penalty to send Bangor through.
Their reward is a home meeting with back-to-back Adran North champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, setting up one of the standout ties of the opening round.
Elsewhere in North Wales, Flint Town United will host Airbus UK Broughton in a Flintshire derby.
Wrexham Foresters, who are competing in tier two, have been handed a home tie against Hawarden Park, who have made an encouraging start in the North East Wales League.
Pontypridd United drawn against Pontypridd AFC again
Pontypridd AFC have been handed an away trip to nearby rivals Pontypridd United in the Welsh Cup for the second year running.
In November 2025, Pontypridd United beat local rivals Pontypridd AFC 6-1 in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup. The Adran Premier side raced into a four-goal half-time lead through doubles from Madison Lloyd and Luana D’Ambrosio.
Megan Voyle scored a memorable long-range goal for Pontypridd AFC after the break, but Saoirse Healey and Lloyd, who was on loan from Cardiff City, added further goals to seal United’s comfortable victory.
The draw also includes a number of South Wales ties, with Llantwit Fardre hosting Morriston Town, while Canton welcome Llanrumney United.
Carmarthen Town will take on Ponthir, while Goytre face Trefelin and Penybont host league rivals Cascade.
Pure Swansea have been drawn at home to Cwmbran Celtic, with Ammanford facing Penydarren.
AFC Llwydcoed will welcome Rockspur in another tie involving teams from the lower levels of the Welsh women’s football pyramid.
Guilsfield score eight as lower-league sides make their mark
Guilsfield booked their place in the next round of the Welsh Cup in emphatic fashion, scoring eight times against Genero Adran North outfit CPDM Y Felinheli.
Ella Breese was the star of the show, scoring four goals at Cae Seilo.
Josie Lawson added two more, while Evie Foster and Lara Halfpenney were also on the scoresheet as Central Wales League side Guilsfield progressed.
Goytre AFC also produced a convincing result against Genero Adran South side Cambrian United, with Lauren Daniels, Lyndsey Davies, Rachel Isaac and Gabby Willavise all finding the net.
Penydarren BGC, Ammanford AFC, Llantwit Fardre and Trefelin also progressed from the SWWGL Combined Division, alongside lower-division sides Canton, Ponthir AFC, AFC Llwydcoed and Pontypridd AFC.
Hawarden Park and Airbus UK Broughton, competing in the returning NEWFA League, also secured victories.
North Wales Coast sides CPD Pwllheli, NFA and Caernarfon Town booked their places in the next stage, while Genero Adran South side Cascade YC advanced after beating Undy AFC.
Rockspur are the only remaining representatives of the Perago West Wales League after their 4-2 away win at Sully Sports.
SWWGL Division Two side Canton are the lowest-ranked team remaining in the Welsh Cup, with Ponthir AFC also representing tier five of the women’s football pyramid.
Full Bute Energy Welsh Cup first-round draw
The draw has produced the following ties:
- Berriew v Pwllheli
- Wrexham Foresters v Hawarden Park
- Flint Town United v Airbus UK Broughton
- Bangor City 1876 v Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Llandudno v Llanfair United
- Caernarfon Town v Guilsfield
- Pontypridd United v Pontypridd AFC
- Llantwit Fardre v Morriston Town
- Canton v Llanrumney United
- Carmarthen Town v Ponthir
- Goytre v Trefelin
- Penybont v Cascade
- Pure Swansea v Cwmbran Celtic
- Ammanford v Penydarren
- Llwydcoed v Rockspur
NFA have received a bye to Round 1.
The first-round ties are due to take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with clubs from across Wales now preparing for another opportunity to make progress in the national cup competition.
