2022–23 Welsh Cup Explained

Welsh Cup
Year:	2022–23
Other Titles:	JD Welsh Cup
Dates:	30 July 2022 – 30 April 2023
Country:	Wales
Defending Champions:	The New Saints
Winners:	The New Saints
Second:	Bala Town
Prev Season:	2021–22
Next Season:	2023–24

The 2022–23 FAW Welsh Cup was the 135th season of the annual knockout tournament for competitive football teams in Wales. The winners qualified for the 2023–24 Europa Conference League first qualifying round.

The New Saints won the cup by defeating Bala Town in the final, their third consecutive Welsh Cup win and ninth overall. Since they qualified for the Europa Conference League based on league position, the Europa Conference League spot for winning the cup was passed to the third-placed team in the 2022–23 Cymru Premier.

Schedule

scope=col style="width:150px"	Round	scope=col style="width:200px"	Draw date	scope=col style="width:200px"	Main date	scope=col style="width:75px"	Number of fixtures	scope=col style="width:75px"	Clubs remaining	scope=col style="width:100px"	New entries this round	scope=col style="width:200px"	Divisions entering this round
First qualifying round	6 July 2022	Saturday 30 July 2022	97	194 → 97	194	49 Tier 3 teams and teams from all lower tiers.
Second qualifying round	1 August 2022	Saturday 20 August 2022	56	112 → 56	15	15 Tier 3 teams
First round	22August 2022	Saturday 17 September 2022	36	72 → 36	16	8 Cymru North teams 8 Cymru South teams
Second round	TBA	Saturday 8 October 2022	32	64 → 32	28	12 Cymru Premier teams 8 Cymru North teams 8 Cymru South teams
Third round	TBA	Saturday 12 November 2022	16	32 → 16	None	None
Fourth round	TBA	Saturday 14 January 2023	8	16 → 8	None	None
Fifth round	TBA	Saturday 4 February 2023	4	8 → 4	None	None
Semi-Finals	TBA	Saturday 4 March 2023	2	4 → 2	None	None
2023 Welsh Cup Final	N/A	Sunday 30 April 2023	1	2 → 1	None	None

Format changes

The National Cup Board changed the rules for the new season: five substitutes could be used, within three substitute periods for all rounds; and seedings for Round 2, introduced in the previous season, were retained with the 28 seeded clubs from the JD Cymru Premier (12), JD Cymru North (8) and JD Cymru South (8) drawn away from home.

First qualifying round

The competition achieved 253 entries, surpassing the record from the previous season by ten. The first qualifying round matches were announced on 6 July at the FAW HQ in Hensol and played on the weekend of 29, 30 & 31 July 2022.^[1] There were 194 clubs in the draw with fifteen Tier 3 clubs receiving byes into Qualifying Round 2, based on their League positions at the end of last season.

The teams receiving a bye into the second qualifying round are:

• Ardal NE: Caersws, Cefn Albion, Llanfair United, Llangollen Town, Llanrhaeadr
• Ardal NW: Denbigh Town, Llangefni Town, Llanrwst United
• Ardal SE: Abertillery Bluebirds, Caldicot Town, Risca United, Undy Athletic
• Ardal SW: Cardiff Draconians, Pontyclun, Port Talbot Town

North

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Tie

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Home team (tier)

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Score

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Away team (tier)

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Kick-off

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Referee

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Saturday 23 July 2022

37

1–4

Y Felinheli(3)

Iolo Williams

Friday 29 July 2022

2

Bangor 1876(3)

9–2

Rhodri Ab Dafydd

270

16

Kinmel Bay(4)

4–2

Michael Gray

(Played at Rhuddlan Town)

23

Llay Welfare(3)

5–0

Stephen Wilday

39

C.P.D. Y Rhyl 1879(3)

1–0

Tony Moore

Saturday 30 July 2022

1

1–2

Aberffraw(4)

Robin Williams

3

Barmouth & Dyffryn United(4)

3–1

Rhodri Ab Dafydd

4

Bodedern Athletic(3)

17–0

Matthew Jones

5

Bontnewydd(5)

4–0

Terry Williams

6

Bow(5)

2–2 (2–0 p)

Craig Griffiths

Bow FC were removed from the competition and Betws-Y-Coed reinstated after a breach of the eligibility rules.^[2]

7

Brickfield Rangers(3)

4–0

Aled Williams

8

0–4

Hawarden Rangers(3)

Michael Woodward

9

1–2

Corwen(3)

Jamie Monk

10

Cefni(5)

3–2

William Parry

11

1–4

Llansannan(4)

Glenn Gray

12

0–2

Ruabon Rovers(5)

Keith Ottley

13

1–2

Halkyn & Flint Mountain(3)

Stephen Jones

95

14

Glantraeth(4)

1–0

Aled Williams

15

3–3 (1–3 p)

Craig Williams

17

Llandudno Albion(3)

2–0

William Peel

18

Llandudno Junction (4)

2–0

Michael Gray

19

0–2

Llandudno Amateurs (5)

Tony Samuel

20

Llanfairfechan Town(4)

4–2

Martin Trigg

21

Llannefydd(4)

11–0

Tony Moore

22

Llanuwchllyn(3)

5–1

Shaun Edwards

73

24

Mochdre Sports (4)

2–2 (3–1 p)

Anthony Howard

40

25

3–5

Gwalchmai(4)

Arwel Jones

26

Nefyn United(4)

4–1

Peter Owen

27

2–4

Llanrug United(4)

Scott Longley

28

Penrhyndeudraeth(4)

1–1 (4–2 p)

29

1–4

Talysarn Celts(4)

Gwilym Evans

30

Penycae(3)

3–2

Mark Stokes

31

Prestatyn Sports(4)

6–1

Conor Charlton-Fleming

32

3–3 (3–4 p)

New Brighton Villa(4)

Gareth Hughes

33

0–6

Rhos Aelwyd(3)

Carl Tombs

34

2–3

Caer Clwyd (5)

Wayne Geraghty

35

Sychdyn

0–7

FC Queens Park(4)

Jordan Spender

36

1–5

Llannerch-Y-Medd(4)

Ian Tuck

38

Y Glannau (5)

6–0

John Morris

40

Trearddur Bay(5)

3–1

Terry Atkinson

Central

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Tie

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Home team (tier)

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Score

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Away team (tier)

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Kick-off

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Referee

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Friday 29 July 2022

49

2–1

Aled Jones

235

Saturday 30 July 2022

41

1–2

Knighton Town (4)

Stephen Fisher

42

Bow Street(3)

6–0

Gwilym Lewis

64

43

Machynlleth (4)

(Brecon unable to fulfil fixture)

44

Carno(4)

5–0

David Hughes

45

Dolgellau Athletic(3)

2–1

Iolo Williams

46

Llandrindod Wells(3)

3–1

Edward Pryce

47

1–2

Waterloo Rovers(4)

David Morgan

80

48

Montgomery Town(4)

5–4

Neil Bayliss

50

Presteigne St Andrews(4)

(Trefonen withdrew from competition)

51

1–2

Abermule(4)

Ryan Davies

(Played at Abermule)

South

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Tie

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Home team (tier)

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Score

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Away team (tier)

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Kick-off

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Referee

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Friday 29 July 2022

61

Canton Liberal(4)

3–2

Matthew John

77

0–0 (2–4 p)

Penlan Club(4)

Craig Templeton

79

Pencoed Athletic(4)

3–2

Afan United

Paul Fisher

145

86

Rockspur

3–2

David Powell

93

1–1 (1–3 p)

AFC Penrhiwceiber (5)

Mark Boucher

(Played at AFC Penrhiwceiber)

94

Treharris Athletic(3)

11–0

Kevin Russell

137

Saturday 30 July 2022

52

Aberbargoed Buds(4)

3–2

Joshua Howells

53

Aber Valley(4)

(Match Postponed)

54

0–18

Cardiff Airport

Duncan Lewis

50

55

AFC Llwydcoed(3)

6–0

Penarth Town

Vasilica Ciuplea

112

56

2–4

Croesyceiliog(3)

Terry Leonard

57

AFC Whitchurch

0–2

Canton Rangers (5)

Geoffrey Martin

(Played at Canton Rangers)

58

Brecon Corinthians(3)

2–1

Alan Jenkins

59

Bryn Rovers

1–4

Calsonic Kansei Swiss Valley

Philip Harris

60

Caerphilly Athletic(5)

2–1

Andrew Wallen

62

Cardiff Corinthians(4)

4–0

Graham Evans

(Played at Cwmbach Royal Stars)

63

Cefn Cribwr(3)

3–1

Michael Pedler

64

0–0 (0–3 p)

Newport City(3)

Robert Thomas

65

Chepstow Town(3)

3–1

Richard Beach

66

Clase Social

0–3

Ton Pentre (4)

Jeffrey Moore

(Played at Ton Pentre)

67

2–3

Nelson Cavaliers(6)

Robert Rosen

55

68

4–10

Aberfan Social (5)

Sean Hicks

69

Evans & Williams(4)

2–2 (10–9 p)

Neill Crawshaw

70

0–6

RTB Ebbw Vale(3)

Scott Brown

100 (Played at RTB Ebbw Vale)

71

Garden Village(3)

5–2

Paul Jones

72

Garw SBGC(4)

3–1

Lewys Thomas

73

Goytre(3)

8–0

Darren Adie

74

Hakin United

3–0

Robert Blowes

75

Llanrumney Athletic

0–9

FC Cwmaman(4)

John Cottrell

76

Lliswerry(3)

5–0

Stephen Richards

78

1–3

Newport Civil Service(4)

Nigel Baldwin

80

Penrhiwceiber Rangers(3)

1–0

Jordan Harman

81

Pentwynmawr Athletic(5)

1–1 (2–4 p)

Jefferson Townsend

110

82

Penydarren BGC(3)

6–0

Clwb Sparta

Alun Thomas

83

0–2

Newport Corinthians(4)

Christopher Parker

84

Pill AFC(4)

1–0

Cefn Hengoed

Phillip Bates

85

Porthcawl Town Athletic(4)

2–0

Ryan Tudor

87

1–4

Baglan Dragons(3)

David Alder

88

1–3

Dinas Powys(3)

Luke Mansell

50 (Played at Dinas Powys)

89

Aberdare Town (5)

(Thornhill withdrew from competition)

90

Tiger Bay(7)

6–1

Sam Lloyd

91

Tonyrefail BGC (4)

0–0 (8–7 p)

Allen Griffiths

(Played at Vale United)

92

0–2

Monmouth Town(3)

Paul Lewis

56

95

West End(4)

3–1

Christopher Neal

96

Wattsville(4)

2–2 (5–3 p)

Marshfield

Huw Marfell

97

Ynysygerwn(3)

7–0

Christopher Byng

Second qualifying round

The Qualifying Round 2 draw was made at the Football Association of Wales Headquarters in Hensol on 1 August with ties to be played over the weekend of Saturday 20 August.^[3]

North

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Tie

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Home team (tier)

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Score

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Away team (tier)

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Kick-off

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Referee

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Saturday 20 August 2022

1

Y Glannau(5)

5–2

Craig Griffiths

2

0–3

C.P.D. Y Rhyl 1879(3)

John Spender

3

1–3

Llansannan(4)

Keith Ottley

4

0–2

Denbigh Town(3)

Gareth Edwards

137 (Played at Denbigh Town)

5

1–4

Hawarden Rangers(3)

Tony Samuel

6

Penycae(3)

3–2

Jamie Monk

7

0–2

FC Queens Park(4)

Shaun Edwards

200

8

Flint Mountain(3)

2–2 (3–1 p)

Stephen Jones

(Played at Llannefydd)

9

2–9

Llay Welfare(3)

Gareth Webb

10

Kinmel Bay(4)

0–0 (5–3 p)

Martin Trigg

11

Having been reinstated, Betws-y-Coed withdrew.

12

Llanrug United(4)

2–2 (5–4 p)

Tomos Jones

13

0–3

Mochdre Sports(4)

100

14

2–4

Llandudno Albion(3)

Anthony Howard

16

Llandudno Amateurs(5)

2–0

Mark Blench

80

17

Glantraeth(4)

1–1 (4–3 p)

Mark James

18

Y Felinheli(3)

4–0

Carl Hagan

80

19

0–4

Llanuwchllyn(3)

Terry Williams

20

1–8

Bangor 1876(3)

Aled Williams

21

0–2

Talysarn Celts(4)

Tony Moore

22

Trearddur Bay(4)

6–4

David Griffiths

Saturday 27 August 2022

15

2–4

Llangefni Town(3)

Rhodri Ab Dafydd

Central

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Tie

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Home team (tier)

scope=col style="width: 8.00%; background:silver;"

Score

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Away team (tier)

scope=col style="width: 8.00%; background:silver;"

Kick-off

scope=col style="width: 18.00%; background:silver;"

Referee

scope=col style="width: 22.00%; background:silver;"

Saturday 20 August 2022

23

Llandrindod Wells(3)

3–1

Michael Pugh

24

(Carno unable to fulfil fixture)

25

Penparcau(4)

2–0

Gwilym Lewis

(Played at Montgomery Town)

26

Abermule(4)

4–2

Steven Bradford

44

27

1–2

Bow Street(3)

Ryan Davies

83

28

0–5

Llanfair United(3)

Aled Jones

125

29

Machynlleth(4)

2–2 (5–4 p)

Richard Edwards

South

scope=col style="width: 4.00%; background:silver;"

Tie

scope=col style="width: 20.00%; background:silver;"

Home team (tier)

scope=col style="width: 8.00%; background:silver;"

Score

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Away team (tier)

scope=col style="width: 8.00%; background:silver;"

Kick-off

scope=col style="width: 18.00%; background:silver;"

Referee

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Friday 19 August 2022

30

Newport City(3)

5–4

Scott Brown

36

3–5

Goytre(3)

Ian Hollyoake

41

Croesyceiliog(3)

3–1

Michael Pickett

54

Cardiff Corinthians(4)

3–0

Neil Wilcox

Saturday 20 August 2022

31

Risca United(3)

3–2

Nigel Baldwin

64

32

0–2

Trethomas Bluebirds(3)

Joseph Gibson

59

33

Aber Valley(4)

2–0

Graham Evans

34

Canton Liberal(4)

1–1 (4–2 p)

Alan Gitsham

35

0–2

Chepstow Town(3)

Darran Adie

(Played at Chepstow Town)

37

Caldicot Town(3)

1–0

Terry Leonard

38

4–4 (8–9 p)

Brecon Corinthians(3)

Dale Randall

39

0–1

Aberbargoed Buds(4)

Phillip Bates

0

Treowen Stars(3)

2–2 (5–4 p)

Huw Marfell

42

3–5

Pill AFC(4)

Benjamin Skuse

43

Aberfan Social(5)

8–3

Kevin Morgan

44

Cefn Cribwr(3)

2–0

John Cottrell

45

Hakin United(5)

5–0

Jeffrey Moore

888

46

Calsonic Kansei Swiss Valley(4)

2–2 (3–1 p)

Neill Crawshaw

100

47

2–3

Penydarren BGC(3)

Sam Lloyd

48

Ton Pentre(4)

1–0

Andrew Wallen

49

2–2 (2–3 p)

Pencoed Athletic(4)

Christopher Ball

50

West End(4)

3–2

Craig Templeton

51

0–3

Baglan Dragons(3)

Richard Morgan

52

2–3

Treharris Athletic(3)

Joshua Taylor

46

53

1–3

Rockspur(5)

Daryl Jenkins

55

Porthcawl Town Athletic(4)

2–1

Gary Webber

56

1–3

Ynysygerwn(3)

Tegid Richards

First round

The First Round draw was made at the Football Association of Wales Headquarters in Hensol on 22 August. Matches for this round were played on Saturday 17 September 2022. Tier 2 teams entered the competition with 16 teams competing and the remaining 16 receiving a bye into the second round.

The teams that received a bye into the Second Round were:

• Cymru North: Buckley Town, Cefn Druids, Colwyn Bay, Guilsfield, Holyhead Hotspur, Holywell Town, Llandudno, Ruthin Town
• Cymru South: Barry Town United, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Cambrian & Clydach Vale, Carmarthen Town, Goytre United, Llantwit Major, Swansea University, Taff's Well

South

Second round

Matches for this round were played on Saturday 8 October 2022. Cymru Premier teams entered the competition in this round. The procedure of seeding the 28 clubs from the JD Cymru Premier (12), JD Cymru North (8) and JD Cymru South (8), instituted in 2021–22 the competition, was maintained. The seeded clubs were all drawn away from home in Round 2.

South

Third round

Matches for this round were played on Saturday 12 November 2022.^[4]

Fourth round

Matches for this round were played on Saturday 14 January 2023 except for the Cwmbran Celtic versus Pennydarren tie which was postponed multiple times and eventually completed on 25 January.

Fifth round

Matches for this round were played on 4 and 5 February 2023.

Notes

Semi-finals

Matches for this round were played on 3 and 4 March 2023.

Notes

Final

The final was played on Sunday 30 April 2023.

Notes

Notes and References

1. Web site: FAW Draws . Football Association of Wales . 6 July 2022 . 6 June 2022.
2. Web site: FAW / Bow FC withdrawn from the JD Welsh Cup .
3. Web site: JD WELSH CUP QUALIFYING ROUND 2 . Football Association of Wales . 1 August 2022 . 1 August 2022.
4. Web site: FAW / JD Welsh Cup round 3 Draw . 2022-10-11 . www.faw.cymru . en.