Williams dreaming of Welsh Cup final, but focus firmly on Newtown game

Llandudno manager Iwan Williams admits his team are throwing the towel in too early in games, but hopes to rectify the situation and find a solution, starting with this weekend’s important Welsh Cup quarter-final against Newtown. 

Williams reached the semi-final stages of the competition last season whilst manager of Caernarfon Town, and will be hoping he can take his new side Llandudno one step further this time around. However, the club must overcome fellow JD Welsh Premier League outfit Newtown if they are to reach the semi-finals this season.

Williams only joined Llanduno as manager in November, but it has taken until now for his side to become moulded into his own style. However, he saw his new side play their best football since his appointment in the first 40 minutes of the game against Barry Town United.

“We started the game so well and it was probably the best 40 minutes of football we’ve played since I’ve come in, in terms of heart and endeavour. An individual error has cost us for their equaliser just before half time which was demoralising to a degree. However, we started the second period brightly and could have gone 3-1 in front with Robbie Parry hitting the post and missing a 1 v 1. One of my biggest bug bears at the club at the present moment is that we throw the towel in too easy and that isn’t how I want to easy and that isn’t how I want to build a team here at Llandudno. We have to be mentally strong as well as technically good.”

After only being at the club a few months, things are understandably only beginning to take shape for  Williams and he admits that he and his assistant Matty Williams are still learning about their new rop of players.

“The approach will be the same but we will look to change one or two things. Me and Matty are still learning about the group so we’ll see how the players adapt. We’ll be doing everything we can leading up to the game in order to try and progress.”

I want to build a team here at Llandudno

To get to this stage of the competition, Llandudno have seemingly had a mixed bag of results. Williams has praised Gresford and Ruthin Town for their efforts against Llandudno in the Welsh Cup, thus far, as the Seasiders overcame Gresford 4-0 in Round 3, before seeing off Ruthin Town 4-3 after extra time in front of the S4C cameras.

“It’s been a tough couple of games getting this far. Gresford gave a good account of themselves regardless of the scoreline. Ruthin was a fantastic cup tie to be involved in and it was a great advert for Welsh Football. They showed great courage to take us all the way but I thought our fitness told towards the end.”

However, the next game will be far from straightforward as Llandudno must overcome their Welsh Premier League counterparts if they are to reach the final four. The Llandudno boss has praised Newtown for being a well drilled team and talented group of players and Williams knows his team will have to match the Mid Wales side’s work ethic if his side are to progress through to the semi final, a stage he reached last year with Caernarfon. He’s hoping that he can take his Llandudno side over the penultimate hurdle and reach the final this time round.

They showed great courage to take us all the way

“Newtown are a very good side. They’re a group of players who have been together for a while and are well drilled. We have to match their work ethic first and foremost and look to nulify their threats as well as look to use ours. We’ll have a good week’s preparation under our belts though and will discuss Newtown at lengths ensure the players know their roles and responsibilities thoroughly.”

“Yes the hope is to get to a Welsh Cup final but the dream is to win it. We’re not in a good vein of form but anything can happen in the Welsh Cup. It’s a fantastic competition with huge tradition.”

But, the former Llandudno player admits his side are down to their bare bones for the game against Newtown. Llandudno are still without Mike Williams, Jay Gibbs, Wes Baynes and Robbie Parry remains cup tied. Danny Hughes and Lee Thomas are back for Llandudno though.