The 2019-20 Nathaniel MG Cup winners will be decided this Saturday as STM Sports, fifth in the Cymru South, look to cause a famous upset against Cymru Premier high-flyers Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The Mellons – competing in the competition for the first time – have made onlookers stand up and take notice, defeating top-flight Newtown and Aberystwyth Town to reach the showpiece event.
The Nomads are appearing in a final for the first time since 1995-96, when they edged out Ebbw Vale by one goal to nil at Caersws’ Recreation Ground.
We’ve taken a look at the players who could be key to both side’s chances at Latham Park on Saturday.
Lamin Conteh
Conteh is a name that has grown synchronously with STM Sports’ rapid rise since their foundation in 2007.
The attacker has been a spearhead in the Mellons’ recent success, terrifying defences with his immense pace.
His technical ability has been paramount to his side’s Cup run this season.
The forward, who has scored six goals in 16 appearances this season, raced through to net the second in a 4-0 second round win over Cwmbran Celtic.
As one of his side’s main threats, it is no surprise that Conteh was once a trialist at Cardiff City.
Without doubt, he will be keen to secure the Nathaniel MG Cup for his side on Saturday, and will be one for the Nomads to look out for, should he force his way into the side, having missed STM’s last few games.
Calum Bateman
The Mellons forward has been in fine form this season, netting an impressive 19 goals in 21 appearances, which works out as a goal every 99 minutes.
Bateman has had a pivotal influence in STM Sports’ route to the final, finding the net against in the victories against Newtown and Aberystwyth.
The prospect of facing the Nomads will not faze Bateman, a player who is full of confidence.
Speaking to Y Clwb Pêl-Droed back in November, the striker stressed that “we are a free-scoring team, and it could be anyone on the scoresheet because I believe we are that good”.
His fine form in front of goal this season, paired with his confidence in his team-mates will stand them in good stead to compete with Andy Morrison’s men on Saturday.
Marcus Jones
After leaving Barry Town United, many questioned why Jones opted to drop down a division to sign for STM back in 2018.
Manager Dale Gardiner was ecstatic to secure his signature, stating at the time: “the signing seems to have given the whole club a lift”.
This proved to be the case as the playmaker found his home, gaining promotion to the Cymru South with the Mellons last season.
Jones has taken his form of last season into both the Cymru South and the Nathaniel MG Cup, netting seven times in 21 appearances this season.
However, it is not only goals that Jones contributes to STM Sports, as his ability to pull the strings has allowed for team-mates Bateman and Josh Graham to regularly get on the scoresheet.
Morrison’s men will need to nullify the threat of the Mellons’ playmaker if they are to claim the silverware on Saturday.
Jamie Insall
Since leaving Hibernian under a dark cloud after failing a drug test in 2017, the Nomads striker has, without doubt, rebuilt his career with the Cymru Premier outfit.
Insall has struck 11 times in the league this season, averaging a goal every 150 minutes.
His record ranks him fifth in the list of Cymru Premier top scorers behind Greg Draper, Chris Venables, Luke Bowen and Kayne McLaggon.
The Nomads striker has, however, been less prolific in the Nathaniel MG Cup this season, scoring just once on route to the final, with his solitary strike coming away at Guilsfield in the third round.
If the danger-man can take his league form into the final, it could be a difficult afternoon for the Mellons.
Michael Wilde
Wilde is a name that is familiar to most, if not all, Cymru Premier fans.
The striker first broke into Wales’ top-flight with The New Saints, where he scored 151 goals in 214 appearances.
Wilde arrived at Deeside in May 2016, having been released by the Saints.
Since then, the 36 year-old has been a regular on the scoresheet, recording 57 goals in 128 appearances for Morrison’s side.
With seven goals to his name in the Cymru Premier this season, the Nomads’ number nine goes into Saturday’s final in fine form, after scoring a hat-trick in the 8-0 Welsh Cup win over Afan Lido last weekend.
Michael Bakare
The left-wing maestro will not only be familiar to Cymru Premier fans, after a brief spell with Wrexham under Gary Mills.
Since swapping the Racecourse for the Deeside Stadium in 2017, Bakare has been a real asset to Morrison’s side, scoring 46 goals in 88 appearances, while giving opposition defenders nightmares with his blistering pace.
In the 2018-19 season, he was acknowledged for his efforts by opposing managers, who voted for him as the Cymru Premier Player of the Season.
Bakare has seven goals to his name in the Cymru Premier this season, but has also been influential in the Nomads’ Nathaniel MG Cup campaign.
The attacker netted the winning penalty in the shootout away to Guilsfield in the third round, before sending the Nomads through to the semi-final, adding the fourth in a 4-1 victory over Flint Town.
Similarly to Wilde, Bakare will go into the final full of confidence, as he also bagged a hat-trick in the 8-0 thumping of Afan Lido.
With some talented players on both sides, who will undoubtedly have an influence on which side secures the cup, the Nathaniel MG Cup final promises to be a fantastic occasion.
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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