Wingmakers take on Penybont third round of the Welsh Cup
THE Wingmakers take a break from Welsh Premier League action this weekend as they host Penybont in the third round of the Welsh Cup at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors are some what fortunate to still be in the competition after losing to Caldicot Town 3-0 in the previous round.
They were handed a second chance after Caldicot were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player but are forced to play their home tie in Broughton because the results of Uefa tests on their brand new artificial pitch will not be known in time for the game to be staged at their own Bryntirion Park ground.
Airbus director of football Andy Preece is targeting what he believes is the club’s best chance of a first major trophy.
“The cup is our best chance,” he says. If TNS slip up in the league they’ll recover, but if you have a bad day in the cup you’re out.
“But we’ve shown we can compete with them and, if it’s our day, we can beat them.
“We’ll put out our strongest available side against Penybont, we’ll prepare for them as rigorously as we would for any game.”
Penybont is a new name on the Welsh League map after a merger between Bryntirion Athletic and Bridgend Town this summer.
Managed by former Cardiff City striker Francis Ford, Penybont have several players with Welsh Premier experience in their ranks.
Goalkeeper Wyn Walters has featured for Carmarthen Town and Neath, while Jonathan Hood scored 11 goals in 46 appearances for Afan Lido and the Old Gold.
Strikers Anthony Rawlings and Robbie Walters also have some previous top flight experience and are both prolific in the Welsh League.
Ford himself hit 44 goals in the League of Wales for Briton Ferry, Cwmbran Town, Barry and Inter Cardiff and his side has found some form recently, beating Pontardawe Town 5-0 in the league and then Penrhiwceiber Rangers 1-0 in the League Cup, as they eye an upset in the cup.
Airbus have Jay Owen, Phil Bolland and Mike Roddy available for selection again after suspensions, but Lee Owens and Steve Jones are still sidelined by injury.
Image s4c.co.uk
