Pontypridd United have the opportunity to return to the Genero Adran Premier at the first time of asking on Sunday, and it’s something the team don’t want to let slide by.
The Genero Adran South has certainly been a test for Claire O’Sullivan’s side, and when Ponty lost 6-2 to Cascade in the penultimate game of the season, some may have questioned their title chances.
But defender Shannon Hindmarsh praised the team’s response to that defeat to clinch top spot on the final day of the season against Llanelli Town.
Genero Adran Leagues play-off
“We knew the Adran South would be tough, and to be pushed towards those very last games was a real test for us. It has been a really difficult season in that sense with how competitive the league has been, but we’ve come out the other end.
“The Cascade game just wasn’t our day at the office. Fair play to Cascade because they put on a really good show and they have a lot of experience, and overall, it was just a bad day for us and a good day for them.
“But to come back, reflect on that game and then bounce back a week later and win against Llanelli, and play the way we did shows how much we’ve grown as a team this season, and now on Sunday, we have the opportunity to finish the job.”
Young players have been key to the Dragons’ success this season, but perhaps the star performer has been Nicole Fenton.
Her eleven goals in the league won her the Golden Boot, while her six assists were second highest in the division.
“Nicole is still a young player and she’s still gaining a lot of experience playing at this level, but you can tell just how talented she is,” Hindmarsh says. “She’s always involved in the action, always looking to make things happen, and that’s why her stats are what they are this season, because she’s always looking to create opportunities for the team.”
The only thing standing in Pontypridd’s way from returning to the top-flight are Connah’s Quay Nomads.The Genero Adran North champions have won all 14 of their league games on their way to Sunday’s play-off, and Hindmarsh knows her side won’t have it all their own way but is relishing the chance of ending the Nomads’ long unbeaten run.
“Obviously Connah’s Quay have gone unbeaten this season, so we know it’s not going to be a walk in the park by any means. It’s going to be a really competitive game, and they’re going to want promotion just as much as we will. We do feel confident heading into Sunday, but we have to be mindful that it’s not going to be an easy game.
“We definitely see their unbeaten run as more of a challenge that we relish rather than something we fear. I don’t know what the Adran North is like personally, but a few of our players have played there before and have said maybe it’s not as competitive as the Adran South. But it’s certainly a good challenge to face a team who are in good form.”
If Ponty are to win this weekend, Hindmarsh says it would be a chance to silence their critics, but more importantly, it would be a reward for all the hard work they’ve put in this season.
“Promotion would mean everything to us. We’ve had a really hard season on and off the pitch, but to get promoted would mean so much. Everyone in this team really wants it, and we want to prove people wrong from last season who said we weren’t going to have a good season and that we wouldn’t bounce back. We’re hoping we can perform Sunday and produce the goods.”
