Gresford manager Steve Halliwell is looking for his players to reproduce their recent performances when they face Flint Town United in the Huws Gray Cup final on Saturday.
Halliwell was very pleased with his team’s display against newly crowned champions Caernarfon last Friday and admits if his team can reproduce their performance on the weekend, they’ll have a fantastic chance of securing the trophy against Flint.
“If we can replicate the performance from Friday we would certainly take some stopping on Saturday, but that games gone now we understand the cup final is a one off game, and both teams will be raring to go come kick off.”
The Gresford boss led the club to the trophy just last season, when they defeated FC Queens Park in the NEWFA Cup final. He will be hoping his players can produce another winning performance to help the club win a domestic trophy in consecutive seasons.
Haliwell is hoping his players can produce a big performance on the field on Saturday to help the club secure back to back trophies in the last two seasons.
“To reach my second cup final inside 12 months feels amazing to be honest, after a long hard season it’s a massive reward for all the hard working committee at the club and the players who’ve been challenged quite a lot this season with various issues but have come up with big performances when needed!”
Going into the game, Haliwell and his side already have the psychological advantage of knowing that their manager is unbeaten in his managerial career when he’s faced their opponents on Saturday, and they will be hoping the manager can ensure that this a streak that continues beyond the weekend.
“I see an open game and the two previous games this season will have no bearing on the outcome, however I’ve faced flint five times as a manager and we’re unbeaten so that record will hopefully stand us in good stead for Saturday.”
But, Haliwell faces a tough test in his battle with his opposite number on the weekend, with former Rhyl manager Niall McGuiness leading the North Wales outfit. McGuiness previously spent time as manager in the JD Welsh Premier League, however he left the role midway through this season as Rhyl struggled for form.
But, since then, the young manager has taken the reins at Flint Town United and Haliwell believes the youngster has most definitely stabilised things at the club.
“I think that Niall has definitely steadied the ship at flint and has some very good players at his disposal, I’m sure he’s looking forward to pre season to put his own squad together and perhaps get in his ideas across from the start.
But, Gresford fans will be pleased to hear that ahead of the final, the manager and his coaching staff have a full strength side to choose from, with no injuries or suspensions heading into the big match.
(Featured Image: Andrew Page of Inspire Photography)
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