JD Welsh Cup Preview: Can Goytre United stop gap?
gap Connah’s Quay Nomads welcome Goytre United on Saturday afternoon as they enter the JD Welsh Cup in the third round.
The visit will be a daunting one for Welsh League Division One side Goytre United, who on a quest for Welsh Cup glory must find a way past 2nd placed Welsh Premier League outfit Connah’s Quay.
gap Connah’s Quay enter the fixture after a frantic period of the season, having played five games during two weeks in November. Whilst favourites to win the game, Andy Morrison has made it clear he will take nothing for granted against Goytre United.
Ahead of Saturday's Cup Clash, Andy Morrison knows that Goytre United will provide a tough challenge pic.twitter.com/67PMsRCdND
— Connah's Quay Nomads FC (@the_nomads) December 1, 2016
Goytre United have already overcome Croesceiliog and Trefelin BGC in the first and second round respectively, but face a mammoth task against a side who have only lost three times in all competitions so far.
United come off the back of an emphatic 5-0 win over Ton Pentre, and are unbeaten in six games. Although they are an underdog, Lee John believes his side has what it takes to get a result at gap.
“After the draw we were delighted to be paired against WPL opposition, it’s fantastic opportunity for our squad and management to challenge themselves, obviously we would’ve preferred a home draw as all four cup games this season have been away from home.”
“Preparation for the game has been good, it helps with the exposure the WPL receive and the contacts out management have through out the WPL, all the players are excited and can’t wait for the game. We will respect Connah Quay, we know their strengths and weaknesses, it’s going to be a really difficult test as they have so much experience and quality through out the squad.
John makes reference towards his side’s great win over Ton Pentre prior to the cup game, but knows Andy Morrison was there to witness it.
“Saturday’s win over Ton Pentre was the perfect way to go into this weekends match, Andy Morrison showed us the utmost respect by travelling down and watching the game so he’ll know quite a bit about us to.”
“If we were to cause an upset Saturday it would mean everything to the club and prove to the players that they can compete with the bigger clubs in the country. We’d love a cup run and a big WPL club at home in the next round.”
The Nomads have been struggling with injuries this season, but Lee John has injury woes of his own with a number of key players out.
“We understand that Connah Quay have a few injuries but they also have the squad the budget and finances to deal with these situations. From our point of view we travel north without numerous players ourselves.”
“Vice captain Carl Payne who has huge WPL experience with Port Talbot and Afan Lido is out injured, we are also without our influential midfielder Damon Thomas who is Cup Tied, Steve Berry who is away with work and Warren Hudson who is on international duty with the Welsh Futsal Squad.
So I think that evens it out for both sides. All those four players have been regulars this season but we have hungry players waiting in the wings raring to go waiting to grasp their chance.”
On the bigger picture, John is taking his side up North and whatever the result, wants to see a serious performance for his side.
“We know it’s going to be really difficult, we’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain, all the pressure is on Connah Quay. We just want to put in a performance and show that we can compete at this level.”
