STM Sports boss believes a year in Division Two may be a blessing in disguise after ‘overachieving’ last season.
The Cardiff based side were involved in a five-way promotion battle, finishing 4th before Llantwit Major, who had also won promotion a year ago.
Pontypridd Town and Ammanford were the other teams to go up, with STM having taken points off the sides above them over the course of the season.
Missing out on promotion though was something that Gardiner feels may benefit the club in the long term.
The club had organised a ground share at Taffs Wells’ Rhiw’r Ddar, but their league position meant they remained at their Cardiff University 3G pitch home.
“In reality, had we achieved promotion last season I don’t think the club would have been able to cope if I’m honest.
Having to ground-share with Taffs Well was never going to be ideal, especially as half of the attraction for players to play for us is our facilities.
We are also extremely grateful for Taffs Well for giving us that option had we achieved promotion.
At least this season we can prepare off the field to get our ground into a position, should we achieve our objectives on the pitch.”
STM Sports’ had already been dealt a blow with a long-term injury to Curtis Scotto, but towards the end of the season, couldn’t call on a fully fit attacking trio.
Ben Ahmun, Josh Graham and Lamin Conteh were all carrying knocks in their few games. All three played in the defeat to Major, but couldn’t beat the side who eventually went on to be champions. STM also lost Joel Queni to a knee injury, which ruled him out for some time.
Gardiner added: “I think we overachieved last season. I don’t feel anyone expected us to be up there being the newcomers to the league,”
It could have all been so different had we managed to keep our front three fit until the end but sadly it wasn’t to be.
When all three were on the pitch at the same time during the season they were all scoring in each game we played.
Luck just went against us towards the end but we are all proud of what we achieved last season.”
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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