GARETH KEDWARD: WE ARE MORE THAN HOLDING OUR OWN
Trethomas Bluebirds host fellow promoted side Trefelin Boys & Girls Club this Saturday, Gareth Kedward gives us his pre-match thoughts.
You have home advantage for this fixture, is that important? Does it play a part?
I think playing at home is always an advantage. Most sides look to win their home games and our form at home has been decent recently. It was a great game down there for the neutral. Not so much for us with the score line but having a man sent off within 30 minutes didn’t help us. Hopefully we will keep 11 on the field and have a right good go at them.
You both came up last season, how have you found the division?
We are enjoying it! I believe we are more than holding our own within the division. Nice to play different teams and test ourselves at the higher level. It is nice to see all 3 sides that got promoted last year doing well.
If we win Saturday it will be 3 on the bounce, which with everyone beating everyone in the league is a good run. I feel we been unlucky to not get something in our last 6 games only losing to Caerau and SMT in those games which if we take our chances we get something out of them.
How was it to win the Gwent County League? Is it different to the Welsh League?
Fantastic for the club, the aim was to win it and get Welsh league status. It was a big honour for me personally to lead my home time club. Standard is better I would say yes, facilities and set up or clubs travelling away are better.
The Gwent League is a tough league with many good sides in it, that helped up become the side we are and prepare us for Welsh League. They are a few sides still in that league that would compete in this league. Promoted side have historically done well, for example Abergavenny Town.
You currently sit third in the division, what would you put that down to?
Hard work and desire of the players. The Committee her are very supportive and put things in place off the field for me and fellow coaches to only need to focus on playing. We kept the core of last seasons squad that won the league and managed to make some great signings that have added quality to the squad.
Does anyone miss out on Saturday due to injury or suspension?
Yes unfortunately our captain Stuart Olsen is injured and unable to play. New Signing Jono Sullivan who made his debut last week signing from Panteg and Steve Edwards have both been unwell all week so will also miss out.
Adam Jones again misses due to work commitments. Times like this we are lucky we have good young players coming through; Aaron Colwill returns from suspension and Assistant Manager Andrew Hughes also returns. We will be glad of the Christmas break to let the squad rest and recover, hopefully coming back stronger in the New Year.
How important is it to go into Christmas with a victory?
Any victory is important, I see this weekend no different. If we win Saturday it will be 3 on the bounce, which with everyone beating everyone in the league is a good run. I feel we been unlucky to not get something in our last 6 games only losing to Caerau and SMT in those games which if we take our chances we get something out of them
Do you know much of Saturday’s opponents?
Not loads to be honest, first time I have been involved in a game against them was earlier this season. They are a good strong side who like to play football. Like I say the last game was a great game to watch I I see no reason why this one wont be the same, We just hope for a different result.
As both champions of your respective divisions last year, does it added an extra incentive?
Yes and No. when promoted you want to prove yourself in the league. Last year we was champions yes but we cant dwell on that, its done and in the past. We enjoyed and celebrated it, but new season new aims and objectives.
What’s your thoughts on the Welsh League taking a break at Christmas time? When there will be Gwent County football on this Christmas break?
Personally I support it. We have played a lot of games unlike some in the league, if we hadn’t played so many games I would like to play. We have a few lads that could do with the time off for various reasons so it suits us right now. Football is all about opinions isn’t it.
A convincing 5-1 win in your last fixture, can you carry that into this game?
I hope so! Confidence is good at the moment and we want to keep it that way. No disrespect to Caerloen but I expect a tougher opposition Saturday.
Trefelin haven’t played since the 26th November, can you make the most of that?
Again I hope so! when your winning you want to play, confidence is good. On the other hand they will be busting for a game and raring to go.
What’s the plans for Trethomas in 2017?
To continue to build on and off the field. We have some very good young players coming through at the moment which we want to continue to develop and grow our own. We hope to have a u19 side to add to our u16 and u18 respectively next year to help us do that.
Getting into the Welsh League is only the first objective, now we want to grow and develop. I’m not a manager that is happy to finish Mid Table year after year, I want to compete and be successful.
