Cambrian boss Williams predicting tough fixture ahead of Rhondda Derby

Cambrian and Clydach manager Dane Williams has labelled the upcoming Rhondda derby as “a very tough fixture” as his side gears up to face Ton Pentre this Friday.

With Cambrian and Clydach sat in fourth place and 12 points clear of their rivals, they will be mindful not to view this fixture as an easy one with much more than three points on the line.

The last time these two sides met came in August with Cambrian coming away 3-0 victors, and after a week of Cup games, Williams is looking forward to returning to the league.

“It’s a very welcome return to the league for us this week and a very tough fixture following the long trip to North Wales. The league is very much our focus in the next month!” said Williams.

“The Rhondda Derby is always the game that players look for and will be desperate to be part of. As a manager, it’s not something I specifically look for but it’s great for the players.

“The cups have been a great distraction for us but our bread and butter is the league, and anything other than a win will be a massive disappointment for us.“

With victories over Denbigh Town and a close Pontypridd win in the league, Cambrian are firing on all cylinders heading into this tie.

Their disciplinary record, however, means that only Joe Evans returns into the squad.

A number of bookings and suspensions means that a fresh crop of players will be given the chance to keep their places this Friday, and Williams believes the younger group will benefit hugely from the experience.

“Unfortunately due to the accumulation of Yellow cards and Red cards, we only have one player returning for this game,” Williams continued.

“With the squad we have available, it’s an opportunity for players to take the shirt and keep it!

“They are young players and we are asking them to play and press in a certain way. They will grow up quickly and learn from the sending-offs.

“The biggest lesson will be sitting on the bench because the boys who have come in have done fantastically as expected.”

With Williams previously having played for Ton Pentre, there is perhaps a little more at stake in this one as his side look to do the double over their rivals.

“I only played at Ton Pentre for a season, and it wasn’t my most enjoyable time,” Williams remarked.

“Actually it was probably the only time I’ve never really enjoyed my football. I don’t know what it was but the whole club just wasn’t for me and I really didn’t enjoy it.

“Leaving to play with my mates at Cambrian was one of the best football decisions I’ve ever made.

“I played under Kevin Richards and away from football I know he’s a good guy.”

“However I’m fully aware of what he’s going to be demanding of his players, and we have to match that Friday night and then take the game to them.”

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)