Will Christian values deliver Met a big Welsh Cup shock?
IT’S the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals this weekend, with Cardiff Met University being the only South Wales club left among the eight hopeful winners.
The Met have a stern test ahead of them to reach the semis as Christian Edwards’ team have to travel to Deeside tomorrow to take on the current Premier League leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Andy Morrison’s outfit opened up a four-point lead at the top last weekend and are edging favouritism to take the title away from TNS for the first time in eight seasons.
It’s five games since the Cyncoed club have suffered defeat, so they should travel in confidence and will undoubtedly be remembering a 1-0 victory at Deeside in the semi-final of the Nathaniel Cup last season.
Bradley Woolridge returned to the Met’s starting line-up last weekend for the first time since early season and his presence in a back-line including Dylan Rees, Emlyn Lewis and Joel Edwards could strengthen the Met’s possibilities of a victory.
Elliot Evans and Miles Davies are both key to the students and will have to be on form if the Met are to produce another cup upset on Deeside tomorrow.
The other quarter-final ties are Flint v Prestatyn Town, Caernarfon v Cefn Druids and holders TNS against Newtown. Barry Town and Penybont are both out of action this weekend due to earlier cup exits.
In the JD Cymru South fixtures, Cambrian and Clydach host a resurgent Taffs Well tomorrow in the
Rhondda. Dane Williams ‘Cam’ have rediscovered their early-season form and are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run at home and their transfer window signing from Merthyr, Ryan Prosser, has been hitting the net regularly.
The Wellmen suffered a 2-1 away defeat last weekend at Afan Lido to halt a run of decent results which lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Jordan Carey was on target for Steve Williams’ team at the Lido last Friday and will once again be the danger man for ‘Taffs’ if they are to get anything to take back down the A470.
Caerau Ely will host one of the title hopefuls Briton Ferry at Cwrt-y-Ala tomorrow.
Dan Hooper’s young guns have produced a fighting spirit and have only suffered one defeat in their last five league outings, but they will have to be at their best tomorrow if they are to stop ‘The Ferry’ and their prolific striker Mark Jones, who has scored 29 league goals in this campaign so far.
STM Sports were put to the sword 4-1 last weekend at Briton Ferry, which included a hat-trick for Jones, and they will look for a return to form tomorrow at Cwmbran Celtic.
Dale Gardiner’s St Mellons team will look to stay in the top six with an away win at relegation-threatened Cwmbran.
Pontypridd Town are away at Undy Athletic’s Causeway ground tomorrow. An Aiden Lewis goal last week against Llantwit Major gave Ponty their third draw in their last three games to keep up a decent run of form.
Llantwit Major are at their Windmill Lane ground and will host Goytre United.
Darren Robinson’s team earned a decent point at Ponty last Saturday and will hope for a home win tomorrow.
In the Welsh League tomorrow, Dinas Powys head to Port Talbot Town in Division One. In Division Two, Aberdare Town play host to Ynysygerwn tonight, while Trethomas Bluebirds
entertain West End from Swansea tomorrow.
Bridgend Street host Croesyceiliog tomorrow at home in the Nathaniel Cars League Cup quarter-finals. Ton Pentre travel to Goytre and Pontyclun host Abertillery in other ties.