It has been a spectacular season for Briton Ferry Llansawel – and there is another piece of silverware on offer this weekend when they face Mold Alexandra in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup national final at Newtown’s Latham Park.
“It’s fantastic to be in another cup final, especially a national one,” says chairman Wyn Evans. “Since the cup was introduced last season, we have embraced it.
“It has given the club the chance to provide our younger players opportunity and experience in competitive matches. It’s also supporting an amazing cause and increasing the awareness and importance of giving blood.
“We missed out in the Southern Final last year to a strong Barry team [losing 1-0 to an 84th-minute goal from Evan Press], and the disappointment of that has provided extra motivation to go and win it this year. It’s going to be a tough final against Mold but we will be giving it our best to finish the season off on a high.”
With both senior Ferry teams finishing the season as the champions of their leagues, and the men’s under-19s winning the FAW Youth Cup last weekend, there’s clearly something going very right at Old Road – but Wyn is keen to point out that this has not happened overnight. Rather, it’s the culmination of a ten-year plan that was laid down in 2014 and is coming to fruition bang on schedule.
“We have worked tirelessly to improve year on year, building the club from the foundations up,” he explains. “We have had tremendous support over the years from the FAW, especially with the club’s infrastructure and ongoing advice.”
And after the merger of Briton Ferry Athletic and Llansawel in 2009, the club now has strong roots as well as strong teams.
“It was also important to involve our local community, and we have made the club into a hub where the community can enjoy themselves, take part in sport, improve general fitness and wellbeing, plus we have now embarked on an educational programme.
“The club is now reaping the rewards for our hard work and planning.”
Briton Ferry Llansawel take on Mold Alexandra in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup final on Saturday 20 April (KO 17:15) at Latham Park in Newtown.
Tickets for the final will be cash only on the gate, costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. It will also be available to watch live for free on RedWall+.
