Cup finals are sometimes separated by a moment of pure magic but can one of these two danger men fire their respective side to Cup glory come Saturday’s Nathaniel MG Cup final?
James Dixon – Barry Town United
With the nickname ‘The goalfather’ the Barry forward comes with a reputation, and his record doesn’t disappoint.
During a 7-2 thrashing over rivals Aberdare in 2015, Dixon became the first Barry player ever to score five goals in a Cup game in the club’s history, and he might have even added a sixth but was taken off by manager Gavin Chesterfield to a rousing applause.
He was the first player to score five since Eifion Williams did so for Barry way back in 1997. Unbelievably, Dixon repeated the feat just a month later during a 6-1 win over Denbigh Town in the JD Welsh Cup to once again delight the Barry faithful.
It’s clear he is a fans favourite among the Barry fans, and with the goals he scores it’s hard to see a reason why he wouldn’t be.
He’s tenacious, he’ll chase down any lost cause and is a threat to any side he comes up against, and The New Saints would’ve been warned by manager Craig Harrison of the striker’s attributes and what damage he can inflict on teams.
Recently, Dixon has shown tremendous character. In a game where Barry were for most part outplayed by their opponents, Penybont, Dixon had a great chance to win it at the death in a one-on-one with the Penybont goalkeeper but he fluffed his lines.
In the next game he could have easily let his head drop, but Dixon being Dixon scored a hat-trick at Monmouth to send Barry up to second, to leave them just six points off leaders Goytre with three games in hand.
He’s a talent there’s no doubt about that, and the whole of Barry will be hoping he continues where he left off. Another hat-trick against record breakers TNS, surely not?
Greg Draper – The New Saints
Like James Dixon, Draper is a striker of high quality. He’s got a proven record, and since joining TNS in 2011 he has gone from strength to strength.
Since joining the Oswestry based club, he has gone onto score a sensational 82 goals in 142 games and has become an influential part of a brilliant team. In just his first season at TNS, he was named Player of the Season, and won the Welsh Premier League player of the month award in 2012.
There is no doubt of Draper’s aerial threat, or ability to score goals from nothing and he has proved wherever he has played he’s scored goals. He is a real poacher. Barry must make sure they keep a close-eye on the one time capped New Zealander.
Since 2011, when Draper joined, TNS have won trophy after trophy, and will be hoping he can fire them to another one come the final whistle in the Nathaniel MG Cup final on Saturday.
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