Ynysddu Welfare boss Ben Murphy will be hoping to claim cup scalp against higher league opposition today.
The recently promoted Gwent County League Division One side, welcome second tier Taffs Well, to their 3G home this afternoon in the JD Welsh Cup.
Taffs Well have had a slow start and are near the bottom of the table, under new manager Adrian Needs.
“I’m looking toward to facing a very well respected manager in Adrian Needs and whatever the outcome.
Taffs Well have also had a slow start to the season so we hope to capitalise on that.
But we are under no illusions that we are massive underdogs against a very good side”
I’m sure both clubs will be finishing the game with utmost respect for each other.”
Both Taffs Well and Ynysddu Welfare were the founder members of the South Wales Amateur League, making for a reminisce of past games.
The former Merthyr Saints man was involved in their cup run in 2011/2012, when they beat Caerleon, to reach the Second Round of the JD Welsh Cup.
The then sixth-tier side, lost to Welsh Premier League option 6-0, in the Third Round, after their cup heroics.
“I would love to repeat that as a manager but we have a massive hurdle to overcome before we can dream of that
“We are a tiny club compared to a lot of clubs in this competition so we have to be realistic.
We are 90 minutes from achieving our goal and that was to enter the cup and get through the first round to win some prize money.”
Welfare have already claimed one scalp in the Welsh Cup this season, beating Croesyceiliog, at their Woodland Road Ground.
Croesyceiliog hadn’t lost a game up until then and still remain unbeaten in league competition, highlighting what a result Welfare had secured in the previous round.
Of course, we wouldn’t have entered the competition if we didn’t believe we could cause a few upsets.
Croesyceiliog were unbeaten when we went there so to deservedly win that game gives us a massive confidence boost.”
The Caerphilly based side have gone viral for their efforts in the FAW Youth Cup. They didn’t have a side until three weeks ago, as they heroically beat Briton Ferry on penalties.
But the emphasis has been on the senior side, as Murphy feels there is a real buzz around the club.
The youth cup story has been brilliant and added to the atmosphere around the club.
It’s been a challenge to ensure that the Senior sides still remain the priority and winning against Caerleon 2 weeks ago was massive for us.
I don’t think the buzz around the club is just from the youth story though, the firsts won a league and cup double last year and have also started this season very well so the youth stuff just adds to the buzz.”
(Featured Image: Mac Morgan)
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