Cwmamman assistant Stephens excited by prospect of cup run

Cwmamman United assistant manager Ryan Stephens is excited about the prospect of the Welsh League Division One side making a run in the JD Welsh Cup this season.

Stephens was speaking ahead of his side’s tie against the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Blaenrhondda FC.

The Amman Valley outfit  are some four divisions higher than their opponents this weekend, and have started the season in fine form in Welsh League Division One. But, the assistant manager has warned that the club face a tough task to get beyond Blaenrhondda.

“The beauty of cup football is anything can happen. We have a tough test ahead of us with Blaenrhondda in our way to push on, so we have to overcome the challenge they bring before we  look any further.

Obviously we want to try and get the club as far as possible,” Stephens said.

The home side have started the 2018-19 season where they left off last season, as they have picked up an impressive five wins from their opening eight league games in Division One.

The club have ascended the table after their maiden Division One campaign last term, and now are building on survival last season as they sit in fifth just one point behind third placed Cwmbran Celtic.

However, Stephens has urged his players to not get complacent ahead of the fixture against Blaenrhondda and has demanded the same application in the cup game as they have had in their league fixtures.

“We are pleased with the start we have had, but we can’t afford to get complacent. Every game we play is a challenge. 

We have a great squad of players with good ability and are all working extremely hard each game. We hope to take that form and same mentality into the cup and progress to the next round.”

But, Stephens has been keen not to downplay the achievements of their visitors on Saturday night and believes that they are more than capable of providing an upset in the competition, despite the gap in divisions between the two sides.

“I know the South Wales Alliance Leagues have some strong sides in it. Blaenrhondda being the lowest ranked side left in the competition will give them great motivation to keep going. So we can’t take them for granted!

They have been the underdog in every game so far in the Welsh Cup and have come out on top, beating Garden Village 2-1 in the previous round, AFC Llwydcoed 2-1 just before and Penrhiwcaiber on penalties after 2-2 at full time.

They took a good following down to the Garden Village game and hopefully they will bring good support down to Grenig Park and have an entertaining game of football to watch.”

But, Stephens will be hoping his side can progress and prove themselves in the cup competition he loves. Last season the club secured a mammoth tie against Bangor, experiences he knows the cup competition can provide them again.

“It’s a huge competition, it can give us great experiences, such as last season when the club played Bangor. That’s probably one of the biggest games that our club has been involved in, so yes it’s a great competition and we hope for many more big games like that in the future.”