Aber aim to end 118 years of cup hurt

LATHAM PARK 2.45pm JD WELSH CUP FINAL: ABERYSTWYTH TOWN v CONNAH’S QUAY

THE last time Aberystwyth Town won the Welsh Cup, Queen Victoria reigned and Robert Gascoyne-Cecil was Prime Minister. The date 1900, writes JOHN EDWARDS.

Tomorrow, the Seasiders look to end 118 years of cup hurt when they meet Connah’s Quay at Latham Park, Newtown, in the televised final, although they start the game as underdogs.

Andy Morrison’s side finished third in the top tier, while Aberystwyth only made their Welsh Premier status safe in their penultimate match.

Aber goalkeeper Chris Mullock, who is set to play his fourth cup final after previous involvement with Cefn Druids and The New Saints, is well aware of the importance of the occasion.

He said: “It would be absolutely massive for me and every single one of the players and staff to win this competition with Aberystwyth, but it would mean more for all of us to win it for our fans.

“We have a great set of supporters who follow us all over the country and, even when times have been tough this season, they have been supportive and never once turned on us.

“Despite our struggles, we always believed we could do well in this competition. We have confidence in ourselves and will take heart from the 4-2 victory we had at Connah’s Quay earlier in the season.”

Reaching the final is no stranger to director of football Neville Powell, who enjoyed phenomenal success as manager of Bangor City, including three successive cup final victories.

Connah’s Quay’s favourites tag took a knock last week when they lost 2-0 at Cefn Druids, a defeat that cost them second spot, but they had learned the day before that an automatic European spot was secure as Bangor, who ended runners-up, had been relegated for failing to meet financial requirements, which they are taking legal action on.

Manager Andy Morrison felt that for the first half-hour his team were as poor as at any time since he has been at the club, but puts it down to the Bangor news, the day before.

He said: “I think the boys knew that the urgency to win was not the same and we were flat.

“The energy was taken out of us, but we are really looking forward to the club’s first cup final since 1998. Both sides deserve to be in the final. We have beaten TNS and Bangor and Aber have knocked over several Welsh Premier sides. It should be a great game.”