Briton Ferry boss sends clear message ahead of Welsh Cup clash with four-division gap to Afan United
Andy Dyer is making no excuses prior to their Welsh Cup clash with Afan United. (Pic by Ian Cook/FAW)
Briton Ferry will be looking to avoid a Welsh Cup upset when they welcome Port Talbot neighbours Afan United to Old Road on Friday night, with the two sides separated by four divisions.
The FAW Welsh Cup tie promises to be a special occasion for Afan United, who were only formed in 2020 and now have the opportunity to test themselves against Cymru Premier opposition less than 10 miles from home.
For Briton Ferry, meanwhile, the match offers a welcome change from league action as they look to kickstart a disappointing season and make progress in the only cup competition available to Cymru Leagues clubs.
Despite their struggles in the league, Ferry manager Andy Dyer is confident his side can put on a strong performance, although he insists his players cannot afford to take their opponents lightly.
Briton Ferry boss admits his side are struggling in both boxes
Briton Ferry head into Friday’s cup clash sitting 11th in the Cymru Premier, with results so far failing to reflect what Dyer believes have been some encouraging performances.
The Ferry boss feels his side have not always received the rewards their displays have deserved, but admits there is work to be done at both ends of the pitch.
“The performances have been good. I don’t think it’s been a fair reflection in terms of the points that we’ve gained,” Dyer said.
“In games we’ve done really, really well and at the moment we’re just struggling in both boxes, and that’s the truth of it.”
With the league campaign yet to take off in the way the club would have hoped, Friday’s match provides an opportunity to build momentum and give the supporters something to get excited about.
A Welsh Cup run could prove an important boost for the Ferrymen, although they will first need to negotiate a local derby against an Afan United side with everything to gain.
‘We’ve had a fantastic home draw’ – Dyer excited by Welsh Cup tie
Dyer is relishing the prospect of a Friday night cup tie at Old Road, describing the draw as a positive one for everyone connected with Briton Ferry.
“The cup is always a special thing for every club in it, and we’ve had a fantastic home draw, something that all the club are really excited about,” he said.
The competition has added significance this season, with the Cymru Leagues now having just one cup competition to focus on.
That leaves clubs with fewer opportunities to chase silverware, making a strong run in the Welsh Cup an attractive prospect for teams across the divisions.
“Every club wants to try and get a cup run, some sort of silverware and dream of those type of things, but you’ve only got the one to focus on now,” Dyer added.
For Afan United, the occasion represents a chance to make their mark against higher-ranked opposition. Having only been established in 2022, a fixture of this magnitude is among the biggest tests the young club has faced.
The fact that the two sides are separated by fewer than 10 miles adds another layer of interest to a local contest that could provide a memorable night for the visitors.
Briton Ferry boss focuses on his own side ahead of Afan United test
Despite the four-division gap between the clubs, Dyer admits preparing for Afan United has presented its own challenges.
With limited video analysis available on their opponents, the Briton Ferry manager has been unable to build a detailed picture of exactly what to expect on Friday night.
Instead, his focus is firmly on ensuring his own players perform to the level expected of a Cymru Premier side.
“I’m not really sure what we’re expecting from Afan United themselves, and I think it’s got to be really about ourselves,” he said.
“We’ve got a home draw. We’re a Welsh Premiership team, and we should be doing really well on Friday night.”
Dyer is under no illusions about the importance of the occasion, with the Welsh Cup offering both teams a chance to inject fresh impetus into their respective campaigns.
For Briton Ferry, the priority will be to turn promising performances into results and avoid becoming the latest higher-ranked side to fall victim to the magic of the cup.
For Afan United, the opportunity to face Cymru Premier opposition on a local stage will provide a major occasion in the club’s short history.
Dyer’s message to his players is straightforward: make the most of the opportunity and give the competition the respect it deserves.
“It’s the Welsh Cup. I don’t think it needs to be any other message than that; the boys are trying hard. We want to try and do as well as we possibly can in this competition.”
