For the second year in a row, the Nathaniel MG Cup has thrown up a top tier versus second-tier side.
The might of Connah’s Quay take on STM Sports – a club originally formed from a Sunday League side – for the first piece of silverware of the Welsh domestic season.
Cambrian & Clydach Vale versus Cardiff Met presented us with a close-call final, but in the end the might of the top flight proved to be one hurdle to high for Cambrian to climb over.
But on Saturday at Latham Park, Connah’s Quay Nomads will be the firm favourites.
Managerial difference
Connah’s Quay are managed by former Manchester City defender Andy Morrison.
Morrison is still regarded as a cult hero for the Citizens and is still remembered amongst Man City supporters despite their huge growth as a club.
His opponent will be Dale Gardiner and Nana Baah, who will manage in arguably the biggest games of their career.
Baah is known in South Wales for having led his plucky Caerau Ely side to an unlikely Welsh League Division One title triumph.
Gardiner has a similar background, having been the man to lead the Mellons to the Cymru South through a dominant campaign last season.
One thing that does connect Gardiner and Morrison is a Manchester City connection.
Morrison will have cheered on Craig Bellamy during the Welshman’s time at the Etihad Stadium, whilst Gardiner is a close friend of the Anderlecht coach.
Form books point to Nomads win
Andy Morrison’s men swept aside Afan Lido 8-0 in their Round Four Welsh Cup match – the same side which beat STM Sports 3-1 in October – highlighting the difficult task that STM Sports face this Saturday evening.
Since beating Aberystwyth Town, STM Sports’ only wins have come against sides in the lower half of the table, so their dip in form has come at the worst possible time.
Coupled with Connah’s Quay losing just twice in the Cymru Premier this season, including a 2-1 defeat to The New Saints, it looks like STM Sports will have to channel the performances of all performances.
Scotland on the horizon?
A place in the Scottish Challenge Cup is at stake, with Connah’s Quay eager to enter the competition for a third campaign, having gone near in 2019.
The Nomads have plenty of connections to Scotland, with manager Andy Morrison hailing from Inverness.
They’ve also made their most recent addition from there, having signed former Dundee striker Craig Curran.
Scotland wouldn’t have been high on the agenda of STM Sports when they began their maiden Nathaniel MG Cup campaign in August.
An unlikely victory for the Mellons could bring an unprecedented feat, a second-tier non-Scottish side competing in a competition ran by the Scottish Professional Football League.
A respect for the underdog
Despite not being a fully operating full-time club, Andy Morrison has continued to show respect for the opposition.
Morrison was present in STM Sports’ defeat to Llanelli Town at Stebonheath Park, despite his side taking on The New Saints in a crucial Cymru Premier match the day after.
The 49-year-old has played for professional clubs like Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United and the aforementioned Manchester City.
He has brought his professional upbringing into his management style, which is something to be applauded at.
A chance to get over Cup final heartbreak?
In their last season, Connah’s Quay were genuine title contenders but having stuttered in Phase Two, they finished a whole a 12 points being The New Saints, despite earning a record points tally in the Cymru Premier.
As well as finishing second to TNS, Connah’s Quay also lost to them in the Welsh Cup final. It was their second final defeat of the season, having lost to Ross County in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
The Nathaniel MG Cup was also something that alluded them. The Nomads had home advantage and hadn’t lost to Cardiff Met under Morrison but an Adam Roscrow goal meant the Nomads wait for more silverware would continue.
This final is their best opportunity to win something this season. The Nomads haven’t contested a League Cup final since 1996.
(Featured Image: Mike James and NCM Media)
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