Pontypridd United’s Efa Preece Jones feels her team are ready to overcome their own mental hurdle and finally break into the top four.
The Dragons have found themselves in fifth place in the Adran Premier for the past two seasons, often only missing out on the smallest of margins.
Even though they only missed out last term on goal difference, Preece Jones still believes there were bright points last season.
‘There’s definitely good points and bad points from last season,” began Preece-Jones.
‘One of our aims last season was to be in the top four, and we didn’t achieve that. However, it gave us something to build on for this season.
‘Another good thing that came from last season is that we felt we close the gap to the top three teams. Being the first team to take points away from Cardiff City was a huge stepping stone for us.”
Possibly the best player at the club last season was Liv Francis. The Adran Premier Young Player of the Year has now headed to Old Trafford to join Manchester United, a big move for a player with a bright future.
“She’s an amazing player and she’s going to go very far in her career,” added her former teammate.
“In terms of what she did for us last year, she’s going to be a big loss. But other players can come in and sort of fill the gaps. Hopefully, it won’t be a major big deal for us.”
Having lost Francis, Ponty also lost the services of Alison Witts and Kirstie Pervin-Davies, two players with bags of experience.
Preece Jones acknowledges the departure of two club stalwarts will be difficult but is confident others will be able to fill the void they’ve left.
“They were both massive characters in the dressing room. A lot of us younger players looked up to them, but we’ve still got a few experienced players that can step up. The likes of Holly Broad and Clare Daley have been at the club for a long time. But they will be missed.”
While they have lost talent, the club have wasted no time in bringing in new faces. A total of ten players have walked through the door of the USW Sport Park, including Alana Murphy, who returns to the club after a spell at Abergavenny, and former Welsh international Nadia Lawrence.
Without a doubt the squad depth at the club is deeper than ever before, and the expectation will be to finally break into the top four.
Nonetheless, Preece Jones know it will be a mental battle as well as a physical one in order for the current Plate champions to get into the Championship Conference.
“We’ve ended up finishing fifth the last two seasons, but a lot of it comes down to doing what you need to do, in order to get over that line. We were so close last year, and some of it does come down to being mentally prepared.
“Technically and physically, we were good enough last year, but sometimes pressure does get to people. There’s a lot of different factors, but we’re trying to work out what works for every player in the team and build solid foundations.
“It’s important to do some team building exercises, which we’ve done over pre-season. On an individual basis, it’s important to work mentally too.
“You have to figure out what makes you play well, what triggers you to perform on the day, but also what makes you worry or panic. As a team, we can all try to help each other out with everything, and that’s vital too.”
In terms of the fixture list, the Dragons open up their campaign against TNS.
It was the Saints who pipped them to the post last season, clinching a place in the top four on goal difference alone. There’s no doubt the encounter in mid-September is an enticing one.
“That’s going to be such a big game. They were our biggest rival last season, and in terms of abilities I believe we’re quite similar. Every game we played last season was really close, so they really are a good opponent to come up against first.”
All in all, there’s a feeling of confidence around the club that this could finally be the year that they get the proverbial monkey off their back.
For youngster Preece Jones, she’s hoping she’ll be able to play a key role in her team’s success this season.
“I want to grow as a player. Making improvements to my general game, working tactically, and to sort of make my way through this league and to make a name for myself! Progression is always the key thing for me.”
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