Zeli Ismail is refreshingly honest when asked to provide his reflection on Newtown’s season so far. The Robins ended in sixth in the JD Cymru Premier, falling from their third-place finish in 2021/22.
“If you compare this season to the last one, it certainly isn’t where we wanted to finish,” Ismail admits. “But the table doesn’t lie and we deserved to finish sixth.
“We have been good in spells, like the winning streak in November and December, but we haven’t always been able to deliver. Even so, we are now just one game away from qualifying for Europe.”
That is the beauty of the play-offs. Newtown’s sixth-place finish handed them an away semi-final tie at Bala Town, which produced a six-goal thriller. Ismail scored twice, as did the Robins’ top scorer Aaron Williams, as they won 4-2 to book a spot in the final.
“It was a very tough game,” Ismail says. “I know we were always leading, but Bala were never out of the game.
“We would go one goal in front or two goals in front and they would get a goal back, it felt like they were always putting the pressure on us – particularly with the long balls. They had some good chances but Dave [Jones] pulled off some good saves and we did enough to win the game.”
Newtown now face Haverfordwest County in the play-off final at Latham Park on Saturday, with the winner securing a place in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round.
The Robins have competed on the continent in each of the last two years, most notably beating Faroese side HB Torshavn in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round in a dramatic penalty shootout which Ismail scored in.
“I loved playing in the Europa Conference League last season, it was an unbelievable experience,” the winger says. “Everyone who was here for those games wants to experience it again and the boys who have joined since want to experience it for the first time.”
Ismail, who has play-off experience with Burton Albion in the English Football League Two, consistently stresses the mammoth nature of Saturday’s game but has full belief in his side to handle the occasion in front of what is set to be the biggest JD Cymru Premier attendance of the season.
“We are all very excited for Saturday. It will be a great crowd and it is a huge opportunity for us to get into Europe again. We have prepared well and done everything correctly, so hopefully we get the result that we all want.
“It is a big game so there will be nerves and tension, but we have to see it as just another game of football. As an attacking player, I will aim to express myself and work my socks off to hopefully help the team get the win.
“I am fully expecting Haverfordwest to come at us, but we will do the same. We certainly won’t sit off them. I remember from phase one that they are quite a technical side who like to keep the ball, which is the same as us so it will be a good battle.
“It would be a massive achievement to qualify. As I say, we were disappointed in finishing sixth but to win the play-offs would put that right and show massive character from the lads.”
Newtown face Haverfordwest County in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final at Latham Park on Saturday 13 May at 5:15pm. Entry is free and tickets can be secured here.
