2022–23 Welsh League Cup

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.

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.

Format

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  • 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

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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

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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

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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
  • Hopkins   37' (pen.)
  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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  
  • Jake Roberts  
  • Ruben Lima Teixeira  
  • Max Moore  
  • Patrick Hinchcliffe  
  • Daniel Burgess  
  • Luke Douglas  
  • Christopher Roberts  
  • James Mcharrie  
  • Dylan Roberts  
  • Iwan Jones  
  •   Charlie Mann
  •   Simon Smith
  •   Dominic Deacon
  •   George Macready
  •   Sam Pickering
  •   Harvey Ellis
  •   Joshua Griffiths
  •   Paul Johnson
  •   James Smith
  •   Christopher Hibbert
  •   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

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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  
  • Jamie Owen  
  • Jan Maertins  
  • Marcus Jones  
  •   Dylan Rees
  •   Jordan Davies
  •   Elliot Scotcher
  •   Ben Fawcett
  •   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  
  • Samuel Jones  
  • Lewis Rees  
  • Christopher Craven  
  • Emlyn Lewis  
  •   Sam Phillips
  •   Jack Thorn
  •   Charley Edge
  •   Niall Flint

Quarter-finals

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Northern

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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

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

Semi-finals

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

Final

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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

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

References

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  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.