Pwllheli boss Ben Ogilvy says he’s relishing the chance to manage in his first Derby against Porthmadog in the JD Welsh Cup.
Ogilvy’s side will welcome local rivals Porthmadog to the Recreation Ground this afternoon, in the first competitive meeting between the two sides in eighteen years.
The Recreation Ground recently had a newly stand erected in the summer, which will house both sets of supporters, in an exciting Derby in the JD Welsh Cup.
Ogilvy said: “As a player, these were the games you would relish and I’m looking forward to tasting it for the first time as manager.
Any derby day is massive and with it being in charge of my hometown it does give it that little extra edge.”
We couldn’t believe it when we were watching the draw.
Once we qualified on the Saturday the first thing everyone said was Porthmadog home would be brilliant so for it actually happen was pretty unreal.”
Derby Day usually brings the most out of players, with challenges flying in and cards are shown.
But there are no worries from Ben, as he’s confident his side can remain disciplined.
Former player Cheryl Foster has been assigned to the game.
Ogilvy said: “I’m not worried. I’m confident my players will keep their minds on the job in hand.
It will help to have a full set of officials for the first time this season, we currently have to play without appointed linesmen in our league and at times this season its been very difficult.
We also have a very good referee in charge of the game in Cheryl Foster so that will help us keep our discipline.”
Just fifteen miles separate the two sides, in the Gwynedd Derby this afternoon.
Pwllheli have played just four league games, after confusion over what division they’d be playing in.
The Llyn club were relegated from Division One of the Welsh Alliance after finishing bottom, but after the resignation of Trearddur Bay United, they believe they would get a reprieve.
However, Pwllheli have remained in Division Two, sitting in mid-table.
We are a new team and are still yet to hit top gear, we are a team that can score and are working extremely hard on tightening up at the back.
All I know is we will give it everything and hope we get a bit of luck on the day.”
Porthmadog, on the other hand, is doing well in the Huws Gary Alliance.
Craig Papirnyk’s side are fourth in the second tier, but thirteen points off of league leaders Airbus UK Broughton.
The Gwynedd side already has experience of winning derbies in the area, having beaten Huws Gary Alliance League favourites Bangor City at Nantporth this season.
If anything, the Derby between the two sides, has seen Ben speak of his respect for the opposition camp.
Former Welsh Premier League club Porthmadog, is a club which is known well to the rival manager.
He returns to the club he played for, experiencing what it’s like to be in both camps.
Porthmadog are a great club and always have been.
They have a great group of people running the club and i know this from experience of playing for them during my playing career.
We know a lot about the team, they are very organised with some great talent in the squad and are rightly competing in the top half of the Cymru alliance.
We know were in for a very tough game but we are ready for it.”
(Featured Image: Aled Wyn Jones)
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