2026 Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy Final: Match Preview

Pontardawe Town and Bangor City 1876 will contest the 124th final of the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy at Park Avenue in Aberystwyth on Saturday 25 April (KO 12:30pm).

Neither side has ever won the competition, although Pontardawe Town did reach the final in 2019 but were defeated 4-0 by Conwy Borough. There has been a new name on the trophy in each of the last five finals and that trend will continue this year as the two teams from the third tier go head-to-head.

Pontardawe Town compete in the Elite Stands UK Ardal South West and are currently sixth in the table with a number of games in hand on the teams above them. Meanwhile, Bangor City 1876 have been the dominant side in the Lock Stock Ardal North West this season having already claimed the league title.

The two sides claimed comfortable semi-final victories as Pontardawe Town defeated Porthcawl Town 3-0 while Bangor City 1876 made light work of Penmaenmawr Phoenix, eventually winning 7-1 despite finding themselves a goal down early in the match.

Pontardawe Town

The season so far

Christian Evans’ side have been in excellent form in 2026 and head into Saturday’s final having suffered just two league defeats since December. With eight league games remaining there are plenty of points available for the club to push for a promotion place back to the JD Cymru South, and delivering the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy this weekend would provide a huge confidence boost ahead of a busy final month.

Road to the Final

Despite being drawn away from home in their opening two games of the competition, Pontardawe Town claimed convincing 6-0 and 8-1 victories over Burry Port and Treorchy BGC respectively. A tougher test at home to New Inn followed but a goal from Joshua Dorward proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win.

The side would then edge a seven-goal thriller against Undy AFC as Connor Morgan and a hat-trick from Jesse Meacock earned Pontardawe Town a 4-3 win. Meacock was again on target against Cwmbran Town together with former Cymru U17 international Kyle Copp as the side claimed a 2-0 victory.

Copp scored twice in the next round as Prestatyn Town were defeated 4-3 at Parc Ynysderw with Sam Harrison and Jenson Stone completing the scoring. Goals from Dorward, Copp and Steffan Jenkins then sealed their place in the final as Porthcawl Town Athletic were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Victoria Road, the home of current trophy holders Port Talbot Town.

Bangor City 1876

The season so far

It has been an incredible season for Bangor City 1876 so far with Michael Johnston’s side losing just two games in all competitions. The side have already wrapped up the league title, scoring 118 goals with two games remaining, and they reached the semi-final of the JD Welsh Cup. Their experienced squad will be supported in huge numbers on Saturday as they look to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

Road to the Final

Bangor City 1876 showed their trophy credentials by scoring 21 goals without reply in the opening two rounds of the competition. CPD Blue Bridge were defeated 10-0 before the side hit double figures again with an 11-0 win over Broughton United. Sam Jones scoring four for the Citizens in the latter tie.

James Barry, Jack Smith and Logan Williams were on target as CPD Llanberis were defeated 3-0, while Corrig McGonigle and Jamie Reed before scored twice in their 6-1 win over CPD Y Felinheli. Reed then registered another brace with two goals from the penalty spot as Llanrwst United were defeated 3-0.

A Josh Carey penalty and two goals from Adam Long made light work of Llangefni Town, but there was a brief scare in the semi-final when Toby Jones put Penmaenmawr Phoenix ahead. However, Carey would score another two goals as the side ran out 7-1 winners to reach the final of this competition for the very first time.

The Venue

Park Avenue is one of the most famous and recognisable stadiums in the Welsh domestic game. It has been the home of JD Cymru South side Aberystwyth Town since 1903 and has hosted this final four times since 2010. It has also hosted 13 Nathaniel MG Cup Finals as well as the 2002 JD Welsh Cup Final between Barry Town and Bangor City.

Tickets for the match between Pontardwe Town and Bangor City 1876 can be purchased on the gate. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

History of the trophy

The FAW Trophy is one of Welsh football’s longest‑standing competitions, tracing its origins to 1890–91, when it was launched as the Welsh Junior Cup to provide structured competition for clubs outside the elite level. English clubs were previously permitted to enter, and the trophy left Wales nine times, the last time in 1975 when Donnington Wood claimed the trophy.

Renamed the Welsh Amateur Cup in 1902, the competition became a showcase for ambitious community clubs. Cardiff Corinthians emerged as the most successful side with six titles, while Aberystwyth Town reached 11 finals, winning five. Other notable multiple winners included Chirk AAA, Lovell’s Athletic, and Welshpool, each lifting the trophy four times.

In 1974, the competition became known as the FAW Intermediate Cup, reflecting the growing distinction between professional and amateur football. This era maintained the competition’s role as a proving ground for clubs seeking to rise through the Welsh pyramid. It became the FAW Trophy in 1993 and it remains an important competition for clubs across the lower tiers of the domestic game.

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