Evans & Williams are looking to shine in the Welsh Cup spotlight on Saturday night as they host Port Talbot Town in the Second Qualifying Round live on Cymru Football TV (KO 19:45).
Like their opponents, the Llanelli-based outfit currently compete in the Ardal South West and are relishing the opportunity to promote their club to a wider audience. “We expect every match at this level to be tough and competitive,” explained club Secretary Ian Meredith to FAW.cymru.
“But with the extra spotlight there’s no doubt going to be some added excitement. This is a great opportunity to showcase not only ourselves on the field, but a great chance to give extra exposure to all our sponsors and supporters who play a big part in the club.”
The club played their first competitive match back in August 1960 when employees from the Evans & Williams Wagon Works made the decision to form a works team. Their current nickname of ‘The Albies’ is in recognition of Albie Evans, the owner Wagon Works who supported the club through those formative years.
Now entering their third season in the third tier, Evans & Williams have made steady progress, finishing seventh and fourth respectively in their previous two campaigns. This season the side have taken six points from their opening three games to move top of the table, with Jordan Badman scoring four goals in a 5-1 win over Cardiff Corinthians last weekend.
“We have a lot of young players, and the club has shown over years that there’s opportunity here for them,” said head coach Ryan Stephens. “We’ve continued to show trust in the local players and younger players in the club, so it’s a great environment for progression.
“We’re just focusing on the controllables and taking it game by game. We have shown we can be relentless and we will continue to be relentless in how we play throughout the season. The ambition is to keep evolving and embody the values and standards we have set over years of hard work and commitment from everyone behind the scenes.”
Evans & Williams progressed through the First Qualifying Round of the Welsh Cup with a 5-2 win over AFC Penrhiwceiber. Summer signing Will Evans scored twice and contributed two assists while Elliott Jones, Robert Owens and Dylan Ashford also added their names to the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, Port Talbot Town made light work of Brynna FC as Richard Ryan’s side claimed a 4-0 victory through goals from James Dolman, Cameron Williams, Chris Allen and a Jordan Edwards penalty. The two clubs have never met previously, and a close and competitive game is expected on Saturday evening.
“As with any cup competition you want to go as far as you can and write your name into the history books,” added Meredith. “But it gives you momentum and a confidence which can have a positive effect on league games and other competitions too.”
As a club, Evans & Williams play a hugely important role within their local community, with more than 400 registered male and female players across 30 teams ranging from Under-6’s to Over-60’s. The club also host an annual community football festival and raise funds for several charities while supporting other initiatives such as the local foodbank.
Evans & Williams currently play their home games at Stebonheath, but as Meredith explains, there is a longer-term ambition for the club to have its own base. “Just as we have targeted progress and promotions over the years, we have also been planning on having our own stadium which will fully give us our own identity within the community.”
Chairman Matthew Thomas has a long association with the club having initially signed as a player in 1994 at the age of just 17. “Many of those players remain at the club to this day and form the committee, along with many others who have joined us over the years,” he explained.
“In the early days we were very much a pub-based team with the no real committee. We had just a secretary and treasurer who were both players, and my dad who was chairman. He had never been involved in football, but as a County Councillor he had contacts that could help the club as they had no equipment, kit or facilities.
“I’m proud to be chairman of Evans and Williams and I’m proud of what is being built. I would like to think that over the last 30 years we have taken the club forward. When the time comes for this current committee to hand the reigns over to the next generation, our aim is for the club to be in a position so that they can better our achievements.”
Thomas also praised the work of the senior coaching team as they prepare for Saturday’s match. “They set the standards for the entire club and complement each other to create a balanced environment,” he explained. “They work together to agree individual roles on match days and in training sessions, which we believe provides our players with the tools to keep improving.”
With the Welsh Cup tie against Port Talbot Town being streamed live on Cymru Football TV, the extra attention to the achievements of the club both on and off the field will provide a welcome boost for the volunteers and unsung heroes that make Evans & Williams such an important part of the local community.
“We can never thank the sponsors enough and we have been lucky to have the fantastic support we have had over the years and really appreciate it,” added Meredith. “We have also been lucky with the people that have joined us as players, coaches and supporters and have then made themselves invaluable.
“As a volunteer-run club we can never have enough help or support. Every single person who contributes in any capacity plays a pivotal role in what we are and what we do. There are also many volunteers who do so much of our day-to-day business which goes unseen. They are crucial and an absolute credit to the club.”
(Photos courtesy of Jason Dale – Jason Dale Photography)
