Dolgellau manager Rob Evans is relishing the chance to take his side to Cardiff Met in the Welsh Cup, with the Ardal North East club preparing for a historic test against Cymru Premier opposition.
The Tier Three outfit have been rewarded for their progress in the competition with a trip to the capital, where they will face a side competing two divisions above them.
For Evans, the tie carries an added personal connection. The Dolgellau manager previously studied at Cardiff Met and witnessed first-hand the university club’s rise through the Welsh football pyramid.
But while the occasion offers an opportunity to revisit familiar surroundings, his focus is firmly on giving Dolgellau the chance to produce a memorable cup upset.
Former Cardiff Met student ready for reunion
The fixture will bring Evans back against a club he knows from his university days, although Cardiff Met have changed considerably since he was a student.
At the time, the university side were playing in the lower divisions of Welsh football. Evans witnessed their transformation as they adopted a more professional approach and climbed through the pyramid.
He also had his own playing commitments at the time, representing Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier.
Evans recalled how Cardiff Met began making use of the facilities available to them, with a greater focus on strength and conditioning, regular training sessions, recovery work and video analysis.
He believes that approach helped establish the club as a major force in Welsh domestic football.
“They were just keen football players, students there, and then bought into the idea,” he said.
“It just shows what you can achieve when you try and do things a bit more professionally. They were probably ahead of their time in terms of Welsh football.”
Despite the personal connection, Evans admitted his initial reaction to the draw was mixed, as he would have loved to bring a Cymru Premier club to Dolgellau’s home ground, Cae Marian.
“To finally be drawn against a Cymru Premier club is fantastic,
“Even though it’s going to be a very long journey and obviously away from home, it’s going to be a cracking occasion and a great experience for all of us as players, as a club and as a town.”
However, the opportunity to test his players against higher-level opposition remains a major positive.
Dolgellau aiming to showcase local talent
The Welsh Cup run is also an opportunity for Dolgellau to raise the club’s profile and recognise the work being done behind the scenes.
Evans was keen to thank the volunteers, sponsors and local businesses who have supported the club, describing the cup tie as a reflection of what can be achieved through their efforts.
He also hopes the occasion can inspire younger players across the surrounding area.
Dolgellau have developed a strong local identity, with players coming from the town and neighbouring communities including Trawsfynydd, Harlech and Barmouth.
Evans highlighted the contribution of players from Trawsfynydd, including captain Gerwyn Williams and cousins Gethin and Osian, while also pointing to the Griffiths sisters Alice and Mared, who have been making their mark in Welsh women’s football.
He believes the strength of the area’s junior football has helped provide a steady stream of talent.
“Massively important,” he said when asked about recruiting and developing local players.
“Hopefully this will inspire the next generation. We’ve always had a strong pool of players across the generations and the past. What we’re doing now is trying to showcase that talent in Dolgellau and the wider area.”
Experience and a new signing offer a boost
Dolgellau know they face a significant challenge against Cardiff Met, but Evans believes his squad have enough experience to make the contest competitive.
The club reached the last 32 of last season’s Welsh Cup after beating one higher-ranked opponent, before losing 2-0 to Cymru South side Caerau Ely.
There are also players within the current squad who have experienced football at a higher level, including Paul Lewis and Gerwyn Williams, while Evans and coach Craig Papirnyk bring experience of managing and playing above Tier Three.
Dolgellau have been studying footage of Cardiff Met and will adapt their approach, with Evans expecting the opposition to have an advantage in fitness, athleticism and technical quality.
However, he is determined not to allow his team to become too defensive.
“We don’t want to be too negative and invite too much pressure,” he said.
“We need to go out there and express ourselves as well and try and give Cardiff Met a game, try and give them a few problems.”
The manager has also strengthened his options with the arrival of Scott Moncrieff on loan from Newtown.
Evans revealed he had been pursuing the player since the summer and believes the move can benefit both the club and the forward’s development.
Promotion remains the main ambition for Dolgellau
While the Welsh Cup provides a memorable occasion, Evans insists the club’s main objective remains achieving promotion.
Dolgellau have finished one place higher in the league in each of the past three seasons, and continuing that progress would put them in second place and potentially into the promotion play-offs.
The club have also secured Tier Three licensing, giving them the platform to pursue their ambition of reaching the second tier of Welsh football.
Evans believes promotion would be a significant achievement for the town and could help secure a stronger future for football in the area.
“We haven’t hidden from it,” he said.
“If we were able to reach the second tier of Welsh football, I think it would just secure football in the area for the next generations.”
First, though, Dolgellau have the chance to create a special memory in the Welsh Cup.
Evans knows the scale of the task against a Cardiff Met side he believes are a very good Cymru Premier team, but the possibility of an upset is something he and his players are embracing.
“I’m sure it’ll be a date to remember whatever happens, but obviously if we were to do the unthinkable, it would be epic,” he said.
“It would be really big, not only for Dolgellau, but it would go down in history. I don’t think it would ever be forgotten in Dolgellau.”
