Edwards lauds “outstanding” Archers as they reach third consecutive Europa League play-offs

Cardiff Metropolitan manager Christian Edwards has said that it was “outstanding” for his side to reach the Europa League Play Offs for the third consecutive season. 

The Archers beat Aberystwyth Town – the only team that could have denied them a play-off berth – 1-0 on Saturday to clinch 7th place with a game to spare. 

Edwards couldn’t hold back how delighted he was with his team’s performance. 

“Very pleased”, he said.

“Over the course of the season we look to make sure that we finish with thirty points, we did that in the first half of the split, so that was one object achieved.

“Then when you finish in the bottom six, the objective was to finish in those European spots which we’ve been able to do.

“I’m not sure how many promoted teams have done that three years on the bounce. It’s been aa phenomenal effort from the boys, in what was a very tough end to a gruelling season with lots of injuries.”

Having reached the last two Europa League play-off finals against Bangor City and Cefn Druids, the former Wales international is confident that his side can once again reach the final – but is aware of the difficulty of the challenge ahead.

“It will be tough, really tough, the 43-year-old said.

“We’ve sat in that top six in the last three years and haven’t got what we wanted, so why can’t we do it for 7th? Bala did it a few years ago, so why can’t it be us?”

Edwards talked about the potential of the team and discussed how this season will live long in the memory and inspire them for next year. 

“We’ve got a motto in our dressing room that you’ve never arrived anywhere, you are always arriving somewhere, and the potential of this team is huge.

“A lot of the time I’ve got to give the players opportunities to showcase that potential, but as you’ve seen we’ve gone toe-to-toe with teams in the Welsh Premier League over the last three years, players who have started in division three and the more recent additions.

“We are probably our own worst enemy at times. We’ve been guilty on occasion of perhaps beating ourselves, rather than being beaten.

“It’s been fantastic, though. It’s so enjoyable to be involved with this group of players and we just strive to work hard all the time.

“This team can do what it wants to do.”

(Featured image: Colin Ewart)