When the final whistle blew on the weekend of September 19, 2025, the JD Welsh Cup had delivered more drama than a season of Game of Thrones. Goals flew in, penalties decided fates, and lower-league clubs pulled off shocks that left fans breathless. The Football Association of Wales had split the draw into North and South sections — 100 teams in the North, 128 in the South — and the chaos that followed proved why this tournament remains the most unpredictable in Welsh football.

Round One: Goals, Penalties, and Pure Mayhem

It wasn’t just about who won. It was about how they won. CPD Llannefydd FC smashed Llanberis 5-1 in a statement performance, while Afan Lido held off Evans And Williams AFC 3-2 in a match that had more twists than a Welsh coastline. But the real headlines came from the 4-4 thriller between two sides that nobody expected to go the distance — and even fewer expected to survive penalties.

According to the FAW, the phrase "goals galore" didn’t just appear in their press release — it was the reality. In one game, Garden Village and Ely Rangers finished 0-0 after 90 minutes, then traded penalties until the Crows — yes, Ely Rangers — won 4-2 on spot-kicks. Another match, Dinas Powys vs Clydach Wasps, ended 2-2, then went to penalties where Dinas Powys triumphed 4-1. These weren’t flukes. They were traditions.

And then there was Tata Steel United, who didn’t just beat Risca Town — they obliterated them 7-0. Meanwhile, Rockspur stunned Newport Saints 3-1, and Cefn Albion overturned a 1-3 deficit in the record books to win 2-1 against Rhos Aelwyd in a replay that nobody saw coming. The FAW’s official report called it “a weekend where the pyramid tilted.”

How the Draw Was Made — And Why It Matters

The draw on August 28, 2025, wasn’t just a random shuffle. The Football Association of Wales had spent months structuring the format to reduce travel for grassroots clubs. The North section covers Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Anglesey. The South? That’s the entire industrial heartland — from Caerphilly to Cardiff, Blaenau Gwent to Pembrokeshire.

The 100 North teams and 128 South teams were split into two pots of 64 each, with the remaining 64 teams (57 from qualifying and 17 lowest-ranked Tier 2 sides) slotted in to balance the brackets. The goal? Fairness. The result? Pure unpredictability.

Take CPD Y Rhyl 1879. They lost 1-2 to Llanfair United in Round One, then turned around and demolished Brickfield Rangers 5-2 in a replay. That’s not luck. That’s resilience. And it’s exactly why this cup still captures the soul of Welsh football — where a village club with 12 players and a part-time coach can knock out a semi-pro outfit with a full-time manager.

Who’s Still Standing — And Who’s Watching

By the end of Round One, 92 teams remained. Among them: Bala Town, the 2023 finalists, who crushed Connah’s Quay 3-0. Trearddur Bay United — last year’s semi-finalists — won 3-1 and then 4-0 in back-to-back rounds. And then there’s Blaenavon Blues, the team that won’t quit. After beating Wattstown 2-1 in Round One, they survived a 1-3 loss to Carmarthen Town in Round Three, only to claw their way back into the spotlight.

Now, they’re set to face Pontyclun on October 25, 2025, at 14:00 UTC — a match that could send them into the last 16. And if they win? They’ll meet Newport City on November 23, 2025, at the same time. That’s not just a fixture. That’s a potential giant-slaying opportunity.

The JD Sports Fashion PLC — title sponsor since 2021 — has doubled down on marketing this year. Their ads now feature local kids from Aberdare and Holyhead holding up the trophy. Because here’s the truth: this isn’t just about the money. It’s about the dream.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Cup Still Matters

In an age where Premier League clubs dominate headlines and streaming services sell fantasy football, the JD Welsh Cup is a rare reminder that football doesn’t need billionaires to be beautiful. It needs grit. It needs 11 players on a muddy pitch in Blaenavon, cheering like they’ve already won the final.

The Cardiff-based FAW doesn’t have the budget of UEFA, but it has something better: history. This cup has been running since 1877. That’s longer than the FA Cup in England. And while the Premier League sells for billions, this cup still sells tickets — 800 at a time — to matches where the half-time pie van is the main attraction.

What’s Next: The Road to the Final

The next round is October 18, 2025 — a Saturday with 14:00 UTC kickoffs across Wales. Then come the November dates: November 21 at 19:45 UTC, November 22 and 29 at 14:00 UTC. Each match is a potential upset. Each win, a story.

The final? Scheduled for April 2026 at the Cardiff City Stadium. But no one’s talking about that yet. Not while Blaenavon Blues are still dreaming. Not while Llannefydd’s under-18s are still celebrating their first-ever cup goal.

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