Ynysddu Welfare boss Murphy eyes Premier League cup draw

(Featured Image: Mac Morgan – Images not to be reused unless granted permission)

Ynysddu Welfare boss Ben Murphy says he’s eyeing a big draw in the JD Welsh Cup, should his side progress against Monmouth Town.

If the fifth tier side progress to the next round, then they may draw a Welsh Premier League side.

Ben Murphy’s men have already claimed scalps against higher league opposition in Welsh League outfits Croesyceiliog and Taffs Well.

He said: “When you enter the cup your first aim is to reach the first round but when you are there you want to get to that third round and draw one of the big boys.

To take Ynysddu to play are somewhere like The New Saints or Barry would be an achievement we would struggle to ever match.”

The Caerphilly based side received mainstream media attention for their efforts in the FAW Youth Cup this season when they assembled a makeshift side in two weeks.

Their youth side exited the competition on Sunday to Premier League outfit Llanelli Town, but Ynysddu are still in the hat as they travel to 2013/2014 Welsh League winners Monmouth Town.

Murphy added: “We have enjoyed the cup run so far and Saturday will be no different.

It’s provided us with another opportunity to put the club on the map and also the financial benefits of a good Welsh Cup run can really make a massive difference to clubs at our level.”

You want to see how you manage against bigger and stronger clubs so I’m relishing the opportunity to do it again.”

It’s a far cry from four years back, where Ynysddu Welfare almost ceased to exist, with good times continuing to roll on at the Pontllanfraith 3G.

The club won a League and Cup double last year, claiming promotion to Division One, their first in the Gwent County League.

This is the furthest Murphy’s side have gone in the competition, with the club benefitting from their run.

The Ynysddu boss said: “Each game in this cup gets bigger as the rounds go on.

For us to be competing in the Second Round for the first time in our history gives it the feel of a massive occasion.”

Monmouth Town are under the new management of Nicky Morgan, who was on the coaching staff of Newport County.

He took over from Ross Kennedy after the Kingfishers were relegated from Division One Last season, after failing to obtain the Tier Two Licence.

Monmouth currently sits tenth out of sixteenth in Division Two, whilst Ynysddu are also 10th, in a smaller division.

“We go into the game as massive underdogs again but Monmouth won’t underestimate us given our recent results.

They are another strong side who we will have to be at our best to compete with.”

Monmouth Town host Ynysddu at the Sports Ground, with a scheduled kick off of 14:30.