The New Saints hold off Llandudno comeback to reach Nathaniel MG Cup final

Match Report

The teams are in ahead of today’s Nathaniel MG Cup semi-final!

Here’s how The New Saints start against Llandudno.#TNSFC | #NathanielMGCup pic.twitter.com/oSxB8Y82LQ

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) December 6, 2025

Goals: D. Williams (19), J. Williams (27)
Yellow cards: Bodenham (42)
Substitutions: Nadin for Jefferies (16), Holden for Nadin (81), Godsmark-Ford for Corness (88)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Sam Eaden/FAW

The New Saints booked their place in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup following a 2-1 victory against Llandudno.

The JD Cymru North leaders put up a good fight at Park Hall, but in the end, goals from Dan Williams and Jordan Williams proved enough to clinch victory for Craig Harrison’s side.

The Saints will face either Cambrian United or Barry Town United in February’s final as they look to lift the trophy for a third consecutive season.

It was a cagey start at Park Hall, as both The New Saints and Llandudno looked to gain the ascendancy in the early stages.

Neither goalkeeper was tested inside the opening exchanges, with much of the play taking place in midfield as both sides probed cautiously for an opening.

That patience was finally broken in the 19th minute, however, as midfielder Dan Williams gave his side the lead.

An inviting cross from Jordan Marshall found the number 14, who arrived at speed into the penalty area and sent a powerful effort past Shaun Pearson at the first time of asking.

The holders didn’t have to wait long before they were celebrating a second either.

After beating the offside trap, Jordan Williams raced onto a through ball from substitute Jack Nadin before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home into the empty net with 27 minutes on the clock.

In the 35th minute, there was a chance for the visitors to hit back after some good link-up play on the edge of the box, but Callum Stephens’ volley was narrowly wide of the target.

The former Stockport County man had two further chances to extend the TNS advantage heading into the break, but after being denied by Pearson on the first occasion, he curled his second effort wide from the edge of the penalty area.

It was the worst possible start to the second-half for Craig Harrison’s side, though, as Llandudno hit back less than two minutes after the restart.

Connecting with Jordan Pownall’s inviting cross from the right, Callum Stephens directed a cushioned header past Jack Edwards to get his side right back into the semi-final tie.

With 57 minutes on the clock, the holders had an opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage after a good delivery from Dominic Corness.

Jack Bodenham got his head to the ball at the back post and sent an effort narrowly wide, only to see the offside flag raised by assistant referee Harry Hendricks.

The travelling supporters thought they’d seen their side score an equaliser at the other end of the pitch two minutes later, but after Anthony Stephens put the ball into the back of the net, the offside flag was raised once more.

Nineteen minutes from time, Jordan Marshall came to his side’s rescue as he got back quickly to deny Ben Maher with an important challenge inside the penalty area.

The Saints continued to enjoy chances of their own, however, with Dan Williams hitting the crossbar in the 75th minute after racing onto Cieslewicz’s through ball.

Substitute Rory Holden could’ve put the match to bed in the closing stages, but after flashing an effort wide in the first minute of stoppage time, Pearson pulled off a vital stop to deny the former Port Vale man in the fourth.

Despite the Seasiders throwing everything at the game in search of an equaliser, that proved to be that as far as chances were concerned, and The Saints secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory to reach the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup for the third consecutive season.

It’s back to JD Cymru Premier action for The New Saints on Tuesday (December 9th), as they head to South Wales to take on Briton Ferry Llansawel. Kick-off at The Renewable Centre Stadium is scheduled for 7:45pm.

The New Saints book their place in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup!#TNSFC | #NathanielMGCup pic.twitter.com/wVO5xmU9p4

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) December 6, 2025