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Nathaniel MG Cup Preview – Friday Night Ties

It could be just the game to inspire another Banksy mural in Port Talbot, when Baglan Dragons host Afan Lido on Friday night.

The clubs lock horns in a battle of the steel town in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

The Dragons have been newly promoted to the JD Cymru South, while Afan Lido are old hands and used to derbies from the days when they went toe-to-toe with Port Talbot Town.

The Lido won the Cup in its first year in 1993 and 30 years on would be a good time to celebrate the anniversary with another triumph, although they will need to get past JD Cymru Premier League opposition who enter the competition in round two.

DragonBet make Afan Ldio firm favourites at 2 / 5 with Baglan an attractive 5/1 to spring a surprise.

Cambrian and Clydach will feel they have already hit the jackpot as their ground – The M&P – is likely to be rammed for the visit of Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds’ first team are currently on tour in Portugal, but there will still be plenty of talent on show from the Championship club who have decided to enter the Nathaniel MG Cup for the second time after their debut in 2020-21.

Cardiff will be playing mostly academy players and the club’s academy manager Gavin Chesterfield says: “This competition offers another type of enrichment to the players. It will be playing against senior teams in Welsh league grounds.

“We see this as a great opportunity to challenge our players in a different way. We are looking forward to going out there and meeting some new friends along the way.”

Cardiff are 4/9 favourites with DragonBet, who price the home club at 4/9.

The other two matches in the south group see JD Cymru South club Llanelli Town host league rivals Pontardawe Town, and Abergavenny Town entertain Briton Ferry Llansawel.

There are also two matches on Friday night in the northern group, with Chirk AAA at home to Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town hosting Llandudno.

Chirk just about kept their heads above water after staying in the JD Cymru North on the final day of last season.

Denbigh come into the game on the back of a 2-1 turnaround friendly victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Ruthin and Llandudno both finished in the top five in the JD Cymru North last season and meet at the Memorial Playing Fields to kick off the new campaign.

Ruthin are 12/5 to gain the win, with the draw at 16/5.

Llandudno are looking to stabilise quickly after the shock resignation of  manager Sean Eardley at the start of the month.

Cymru Premier League clubs, including holders Bala Town, will join the competition in the second round.

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