JD Welsh Cup 1st round preview: Taffs Well v Port Talbot Town.
Tuesday night sees the eagerly anticipated rearranged Welsh Cup clash between the hosts Taffs Well and the visitors Port Talbot Town.
Due to adverse weather conditions last weekend the original tie fell foul of a waterlogged pitch, despite the “Rhiw Dda’r” home ground of the “Wellmen”draining superbly in recent seasons, enabling games played in monsoon conditions to take place.
The weather has seen blue skies during the last few days and the pitch should hold up fine for the game to take place, with the travelling supporters of Port Talbot looking forward to the tie as much as the hosts.
Both clubs of course are league rivals in the Welsh League Division One and the cup game will be a welcome attraction, with the reward of progression a date with Llanelli Town in the 2nd round, confirmed on Monday’s official draw.
Llanelli Town progressed on Friday night beating Trethomas Bluebirds, and will certainly be keeping an eye on proceedings tomorrow night to see which club will emerge victorious.
Its been a season of rebuilding for the visitors, a club in transition after their demotion from the WPL last season. Early results had led for cause for concern for their loyal supporters, in particular their well-known band of 1901 ultras, but recent results have enthused the fans and they always love the JD Welsh Cup completion.
Long standing supporters Nigel Hunt and Craig Mapstone are certainly seeing an improvement in the “Steelmen”.
“The rebuild is making steady progress and we have shown resilience and character in the last couple of games – the winner with nine men against Taff’s Well in the League was up there with one of the most enjoyable goals I have seen at the Sand Siro – Allez..”
“There is no doubt in our minds that we are going on a European Tour”
Whilst the PTT fans are dreaming of clinching the Welsh Cup and getting their passports ready for a European adventure, they will be coming up against a team who are hard to break down and well organised and drilled; Taffs Well will be looking to secure cup progression as a centre target of their own aspirations.
If League form is anything to go by then the hosts would be slight favourites currently with 10 points in the league compared to Port Talbot Town 7 points.
However, the two teams have already met this season, with Port Talbot scoring a sensational 90th minute goal to win 1-0 win at the Genquip stadium in September.
Port Talbot Town have reached the final of the Welsh Cup once in their history, going down to a 3-2 defeat against Bangor City in 2010. Last season was a bleak affair for all associated at the club as they crashed out of the semi-finals losing 7-0 to Airbus UK Broughton.
Although they’ve gone through turbulent times, its a case of in “Paul Evans” we trust for PTT and there is a great spirit at the club from top to bottom.
As for the hosts, last season’s entry into the JD Welsh Cup was one to forget with the club suffering an early exit in the 1st round away at Cwmamman United. The “Wellmen” crashed out 2-1 and will be looking to make amends this season and progress on Tuesday night.
Richard Davies, a keen supporter of Taffs Well, is looking forward to the fixture.
“This is a Massive game for Taffs Well who will be looking to get the season back on track after a difficult few weeks, Defeats to Goytre & PTT and injuries to key players have been frustrating to all connected with the club. Hopefully a good cup run will see an upturn in fortunes”
Off the field the club are progressing with a new stand currently being installed at the Rhiw Dda’r, which will be filled with a great atmosphere with both the Taffs Well ultras and 1901 ultras sure to be heard loud and proud.
It should be a great occasion on and off the pitch so why not head along Tuesday night for a 7:30pm kick off and take in the action.
