2022–23 Welsh League Cup

2022–23 Welsh League Cup
Nathaniel MG Cup
Tournament details
CountryWales
Dates23 July 2022 – 28 January 2023
Teams46
Final positions
ChampionsBala Town (1st title)
Runner-upConnah's Quay Nomads

All statistics correct as of 16 June 2022.

The 2022–23 Welsh League Cup (known for sponsorship purposes as The Nathaniel MG Cup) was the 31st season of the Welsh League cup competition, which was established in 1992. The reigning champions were Connah's Quay Nomads.

Format

  • 44 clubs in the Cymru Premier, Cymru North and Cymru South leagues entered the season's League Cup.
  • Caersws and Denbigh Town were awarded the two wildcard spots for the current season.[1]
  • 2 teams from each of the Cymru North and Cymru South received byes into the second round - with those byes decided by being the first two clubs in each section of the competition to be drawn in the first round draw, These clubs joined the 12 clubs of the Cymru Premier plus the winners of the first round ties in the second round.

First round

The draw for the first round was made on 21 June 2022 with matches taking place on the weekend of 23 July. Colwyn Bay and Guilsfield of the Cymru North and Cwmbran Celtic and Ammanford in the Cymru South were drawn as the clubs receiving byes in to the second round[2]

Northern

23 July 2022 Caersws (3) 1–1
(5–3 p)
Prestatyn Town (2)Caersws, Wales
14:30 BST
  • Harris 18'
  • Atkins 9'
Stadium: Recreation Ground
Referee: Siôn Davies
24 July 2022 Chirk AAA (2) 1–0Conwy Borough (2)Chirk, Wales
14:30 BST
  • Orbell 83'
Stadium: Holyhead Road
Attendance: 170
Referee: Alex Livesey
22 July 2022 Denbigh Town (3)0–1 Gresford Athletic (2) Denbigh, Wales
19:30 BST
  • Deacon 54'
Stadium: Central Park
Referee: James Walker
23 July 2022 Holyhead Hotspur (2)1–2 Llandudno (2) Holyhead, Wales
14:30 BST
  • Gibbs 49'
  • M. Williams 45'
  • T. Williams 23'
Stadium: The New Stadium
Referee: Alex Livesey
23 July 2022 Mold Alexandra (2)2–3 Holywell Town (2) Mold, Wales
14:30 BST
  • R. Nash 60'
  • Watkins 64'
  • Forbes 33', 66'
  • Andrews 80'
Stadium: Alyn Park
Attendance: 382
Referee: Iwan Griffith
23 July 2022 Penrhyncoch (2)0–2 Buckley Town (2) Penrhyncoch, Wales
14:30 BST
  • McCormick 42'
  • M. Moore 80'
Stadium: Cae Baker
Referee: Andy Harms
22 July 2022 Ruthin Town (2) 4–1Porthmadog (2)Ruthin, Wales
19:45 BST
  • Nash 52', 90+3'
  • Rickett 62'
  • Sullivan 81'
  • Perry 40'
Stadium: Memorial Playing Fields
Attendance: 227
Referee: Thomas Owen

Southern

25 July 2022 Briton Ferry Llansawel (2) 3–2Afan Lido (2)Briton Ferry, Wales
19:30 BST
  • Walters 30', 75'
  • Goldsworthy 90+3'
  • Edwards 90+2'
  • C. Jones 90+3' (pen.)
Stadium: Old Road Welfare Ground
Referee: Richard Harrington
23 July 2022 Goytre United (2)1–6 Trefelin BGC (2) Goytre, Wales
14:30 BST
  • A. Walters 78'
  • D. Thomas 4', 14'
  • Piper 9', 85'
  • Tomlinson 68'
  • J. Davies 79'
Stadium: Glenhafod Park Stadium
Referee: Teifion Cook
22 July 2022 Llanelli Town (2)1–1
(0–2 p)
Abergavenny Town (2) Llanelli, Wales
19:45 BST
  • Tandy 20'
Stadium: Stebonheath Park
Attendance: 202
Referee: George Nemes
23 July 2022 Llantwit Major (2)0–2 Carmarthen Town (2) Llantwit Major, Wales
14:30 BST Report
  • Daley 53'
  • Surman 63'
Stadium: Windmill Ground
Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones
23 July 2022 Pontardawe Town (2)1–2 Llanidloes Town (2) Pontardawe, Wales
14:30 BST
  • Reynolds 50'
  • Bird 67'
Stadium: Parc Ynysderw
Attendance: 75
Referee: Kim Fisher
22 July 2022 Swansea University (2) 3–3
(7–6 p)
Cambrian and Clydach Vale (2)Swansea, Wales
19:30 BST Matras 28' (pen.)
Morgan 40', 46'
Report
  • Bull 19'
  • Prosser 35'
  • Smith 69'
Stadium: Sketty Lane
Attendance: 112
Referee: Alex McInch
22 July 2022 Taffs Well (2) 4–1Ynyshir Albions (2)Taff's Well, Wales
19:30 BST
  • Cann 25'
  • James Allen 42', 45+1'
  • Lyon 55'
Report
  • Griffiths 45'
Stadium: Rhiw'r Ddar Stadium
Attendance: 253
Referee: Kris Hames

Second round

The draw for the second round took place on 25 July and was conducted by Cardiff City assistant manager Tom Ramasut. The 12 JD Cymru Premier clubs enter the competition at the second round stage and are joined by Barry Town United and Cefn Druids, who were relegated from the top-flight last season. The second round ties took place over the weekend of 6 August.[3]

On 28 July 2022, Llandudno, Abergavenny Town and Briton Ferry Llansawel were removed from the Nathaniel MG Cup for rule breaches.[4]

  • Cymru North side Llandudno beat Holyhead 2-1 in the first round, but have been removed after fielding two ineligible players.
  • Abergavenny and Briton Ferry have also been removed for rule breaches.
  • Afan Lido will advance in place of Briton Ferry, but Abergavenny will not be replaced by Llanelli as they have also been thrown out for a rule breach. Penybont received a bye to the third round.
  • Llantwit Major, Mold Alexandra and Prestatyn Town were found proven of breaching the same rule, but those clubs were beaten in the first round.

Northern

5 August 2022 Cefn Druids (2)0–1 Buckley Town (2) Cefn Mawr
19:45 BST
  • I. Jones 21'
Stadium: The Rock
Attendance: 187
Referee: Alex Livesey
5 August 2022 Holyhead Hotspur (2)0–1 Caernarfon Town (1) Holyhead
19:45 BST
  • I. Cartwright 28'
Stadium: The New Stadium
Attendance: 421
Referee: Nicholas Pratt
6 August 2022 Connah's Quay Nomads (1) 1–1
(5–4 p)
The New Saints (1)Connah's Quay
14:30 BST
  • M. Wilde 34'
  • D. McManus 79'
Stadium: Deeside Stadium
Attendance: 256
Referee: Mark Petch
6 August 2022 Caersws (3)1–6 Holywell Town (2) Caersws
14:30 BST
  • Mitchell 54'
  • Andrews 54', 84', 88'
  • Cairns 17'
  • Forbes 24', 31' (pen.)
Stadium: Recreation Ground
Referee: Huw Jones
6 August 2022 Guilsfield (2)0–1 Ruthin Town (2) Guilsfield
14:30 BST
  • G. Owen 78'
Stadium: Community Centre Ground
Referee: Karl Berry
7 August 2022 Gresford Athletic (2) 2–1Airbus UK (1)Gresford
13:30 BST
  • S. Spridgeon 51', 68'
  • J. Eyre 63'
Stadium: Clappers Lane
Attendance: 292
Referee: John Jones
7 August 2022 Chirk AAA (2)1–6 Bala Town (1) Chirk
14:30 BST
  • S. Rogers 67'
  • J. Eyre 63'
  • D. Edwards 4', 45+2'
  • L. Mendes 14'
  • G. Newell 50'
  • L. Wall 63'
  • R. White 84'
Stadium: Holyhead Road
Attendance: 230
Referee: Iwan Griffith
9 August 2022 Colwyn Bay (2) 1–1
(5–4 p)
Flint Town United (1)Old Colwyn
19:45 BST
  • D. Allshorn 84'
  • J-L. Akpa-Akpro 90+3'
Stadium: Four Crosses Construction Arena
Attendance: 626
Referee: Aaron Jones

Southern

5 August 2022 Haverfordwest County (1) 4–2Barry Town (2)Haverfordwest
19:45 BST
  • L. Jenkins 33'
  • J. Wilson 51', 67'
  • R. Abbruzzese 59'
  • J. Graham 34'
  • M. Djalo 79' (pen.)
Stadium: Bridge Meadow Stadium
Referee: Benjamin Williams
5 August 2022 Afan Lido (2) 5–2Cwmbran Celtic (2)Aberavon
19:30 BST
  • C. Jones 11', 25'
  • J. Webber 40', 88'
  • C. Indjai 51'
  • A. McDowell 17'
  • L. Iles 75'
Stadium: Marston Stadium
Attendance: 173
Referee: Daniel Richardson
6 August 2022 Aberystwyth Town (1) 2–1Llanidloes Town (2)Aberystwyth
14:30 BST
  • S. Davies 37'
  • P. Perry 70'
  • A. Evans 36'
Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 260
Referee: Siôn Davies
6 August 2022 Pontypridd United (1) 2–0Carmarthen Town (2)Pontypridd
14:30 BST
  • O. Jones 6'
  • L. Twamley 45+1'
Stadium: USW Sports Park
Attendance: 173
Referee: Alex McInch
6 August 2022 Trefelin BGC (2)0–5 Taffs Well (2) Port Talbot
14:30 BST
  • J. Allen 22'
  • M. Walters 47' (o.g.)
  • D. Lyon 81'
  • E. Cann 86'
  • C. Lewis 89'
Stadium: Ynys Park Trefelin
Referee: Ieuan Lewis
6 August 2022 Ammanford (2) 2–1Swansea University (2)Ammanford
14:30 BST
  • M. Jones 45+1'
  • L. Samuel 65'
  • J. Roberts 27'
Stadium: Recreation Ground
Attendance: 167
Referee: Thomas Bevan
7 August 2022 Cardiff Metropolitan University (1) 2–1Newtown (1)Cyncoed
14:30 BST
  • E. Evans 73' (pen.)
  • H. Owen 84'
  • S. Sutton 11'
Stadium: Cyncoed Campus
Attendance: 102
Referee: Ryan Kenny

Third round

The draw for the 2022/23 Nathaniel MG Cup third round took place at 8:15pm on Thursday 11 August and was conducted by Sgorio's Mike Davies. Flint Town United, despite losing in the previous round were reinstated due to a competition rule breach by Colwyn Bay. The third round ties took place on 20 and 21 September.[5]

Northern

20 September 2022 Connah's Quay Nomads (1) 1–0Holywell Town (2)Connah's Quay
19:45 BST
  • Michael Hayes 59'
Stadium: Deeside Stadium
Attendance: 903
Referee: Siôn Davies
20 September 2022 Caernarfon Town (1)1–4 Bala Town (1) Caernarfon
19:45 BST
  • Ben Wynne 47'
  • Christopher Venables 21'
  • Luke Wall 39', 49'
  • Kieran Smith 83'
Stadium: The Oval
Attendance: 326
Referee: Mark Petch
20 September 2022 Buckley Town (2)2–2
(7–8 p)
Gresford Athletic (2) Buckley
19:45 BST
  • Connor Littler 12'
  • Jake Roberts 87'
  • Jacob Barratt 45+2'
  • Luke Douglas 47' (o.g.)
Stadium: The Globe
Attendance: 238
Referee: Mark James
Penalties
  • Leonard Hamilton soccer ball with check mark
  • Jake Roberts soccer ball with check mark
  • Ruben Lima Teixeira soccer ball with check mark
  • Max Moore soccer ball with red X
  • Patrick Hinchcliffe soccer ball with check mark
  • Daniel Burgess soccer ball with check mark
  • Luke Douglas soccer ball with check mark
  • Christopher Roberts soccer ball with red X
  • James Mcharrie soccer ball with red X
  • Dylan Roberts soccer ball with check mark
  • Iwan Jones soccer ball with red X
  • soccer ball with red X Charlie Mann
  • soccer ball with check mark Simon Smith
  • soccer ball with check mark Dominic Deacon
  • soccer ball with check mark George Macready
  • soccer ball with check mark Sam Pickering
  • soccer ball with check mark Harvey Ellis
  • soccer ball with check mark Joshua Griffiths
  • soccer ball with red X Paul Johnson
  • soccer ball with red X James Smith
  • soccer ball with check mark Christopher Hibbert
  • soccer ball with check mark Rhys Williams
21 September 2022 Ruthin Town (2)1–3 Flint Town United (1) Ruthin
19:45 BST
  • Sam Jones 83'
  • Mark Cadwallader 14'
  • Harley Brindley-Peagram 25'
  • Tyler Garratt 48'
Stadium: Memorial Playing Fields
Attendance: 232
Referee: Conor Charlton-Fleming

Southern

20 September 2022 Afan Lido (2) 2–0Pontypridd United (1)Aberavon
19:45 BST
  • Liam Griffiths 51'
  • Sacha Walters 53'
Stadium: Marston Stadium
Referee: Ryan Kenny
20 September 2022 Penybont (1)1–2 Ammanford (2) Bridgend
19:45 BST
  • Mael Davies 46'
  • Brett Enoch 28'
  • Callum Thomas 81'
Stadium: Bryntirion Park
Attendance: 306
Referee: Benjamin Williams
20 September 2022 Taffs Well (2) 1–1
(4–3 p)
Haverfordwest County (1)Taff's Well
19:45 BST
  • Ethan Cann 23'
  • Jack Wilson 63'
Stadium: Rhiw'r Ddar
Attendance: 206
Referee: Richard Harrington
Penalties
  • Riccardo Mackenzie soccer ball with check mark
  • Jamie Owen soccer ball with check mark
  • Jan Maertins soccer ball with check mark
  • Marcus Jones soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with red X Dylan Rees
  • soccer ball with check mark Jordan Davies
  • soccer ball with check mark Elliot Scotcher
  • soccer ball with check mark Ben Fawcett
  • soccer ball with red X Jack Wilson
20 September 2022 Cardiff Metropolitan University (1) 2–2
(5–3 p)
Aberystwyth Town (1)Cyncoed
19:45 BST
  • Matthew Chubb 45+2'
  • Samuel Jones 77'
  • Charley Edge 27'
  • Alexander Darlington 34'
Stadium: Cyncoed Campus
Attendance: 403
Referee: David Morgan
Penalties
  • Harry Owen soccer ball with check mark
  • Samuel Jones soccer ball with check mark
  • Lewis Rees soccer ball with check mark
  • Christopher Craven soccer ball with check mark
  • Emlyn Lewis soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with red X Sam Phillips
  • soccer ball with check mark Jack Thorn
  • soccer ball with check mark Charley Edge
  • soccer ball with check mark Niall Flint

Quarter-finals

Northern

18 October 2022 Connah's Quay Nomads (1) 2–0Ruthin Town (2)Deeside
19:45
Report Stadium: Deeside Stadium
18 October 2022 Bala Town (1) 4–0Gresford Athletic (2)Bala
19:45 Report Stadium: Maes Tegid

Southern

18 October 2022 Taff's Well (2) 2–1Afan Lido (2)Taffs Well
19:45 Report
Stadium: Rhiw'r Ddar

Semi-finals

26 November 2022 Bala Town (1) 2–0Cardiff Metropolitan University (1)Bala
14:00 Stadium: Maes Tegid
Attendance: 172

Final

28 January 2023 Connah's Quay Nomads (1)0–0
(3–4 p)
Bala Town (1) Cefn-mawr
12:45 Stadium: The Rock

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals
1 England Danny Andrews Holywell Town 4
England Dave Forbes
3 Wales Josh Allen Taffs Well 3
Wales Cai Jones Afan Lido

References

  1. ^ "Wildcard entries confirmed for 2022/23 Nathaniel MG Cup". Football Association of Wales. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Nathaniel MG Cup first round draw". Football Association of Wales. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Nathaniel MG Cup second round draw". Football Association of Wales. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Nathaniel MG Cup: Clubs thrown out of competition". BBC Sport. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Nathaniel MG Cup third round draw". Football Association of Wales. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.