Caerau Ely manager Dean Wheeler has called on his players to make more JD Welsh Cup history as they make the trip to Bangor City 1876 on Saturday 31 January (KO 14:00).
Last season the club from the JD Cymru South reached the quarter-final stage for the first time in their history but were eliminated by eventual finalists Connah’s Quay Nomads. Wheeler’s side have now emulated that achievement one year later and are ready to go at least one step further.
“I think last year was about discovery, discovery about ourselves,” Wheeler told FAW.cymru this week. “We’ve added quality and experience to what was a young team and to get back to this stage again just shows how much the players believe they belong at this level. It also shows the consistency and growth of the club.”
Their top-flight credentials became apparent last season as they defeated Bala Town and Barry Town United on their way to the last eight, before going down 2-0 at home to the Nomads in front of the live Sgorio cameras and Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy.
“Last year taught us how small margins in these games against top opposition can impact results,” explained Wheeler. “We started really well and had a couple of opportunities, but they just showed their quality in the key moments. But it’s where we all aspire to be, from the staff to the players, we want to be competing at the highest level against the best teams.”
The side have already amassed more league points this season than they finished the last campaign with, and promotion to the JD Cymru Premier is very much on the radar for the Cwrt yr Ala club.
“Beating two JD Cymru Premier sides showed what we are capable of,” Wheeler added. “Now we’re hungry for more success.
“We understand the demands of these games, but equally the progress on and off the field has been huge for the club. Not just over the last year, but prior to that as well. It has given us these building blocks to bring that consistency and reach the standards to compete at this level.
“It’s important for us to continue to show progress each year and I think we’re in with a realistic chance to finish third in the table. We’ve got a couple of big games coming up in the league but obviously we take each game at a time, and our focus at the moment is obviously on Saturday.”
Progress in the JD Welsh Cup this season has been easier on paper at least for Caerau Ely this season, with victories over Penydarren BGC, Morriston Town, Dolgellau AA and Llandudno to reach this point in the competition.
“Each game brings its own challenges,” Wheeler added. “Travelling up to Dolgellau on the day brought different demands, but you just need to make sure that you’re professional and you go about your business in the correct manner. I think the number of goals we scored in those games gave us confidence too.
“We were able to give minutes to players in the squad just to make sure they’re topped up and ready to compete as well. That shows the depth of the squad, making sure that we’re prepared and equipped to go further into these competitions and be competing on all fronts.”
Bangor City 1876 are currently undefeated at the top of the Lock Stock Ardal North West, and reached the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup with a 2-0 home win over Caerau Ely’s promotion rivals Trefelin BGC of the JD Cymru South.
Michael Johnston will be in the opposite dugout to Wheeler on Saturday, and his side are still challenging in four competitions this season. The side have also defeated JD Cymru North title challengers Holywell Town, along with Guilsfield, St Asaph City, Conwy Borough and Mochdre Sports to reach the last eight of the JD Welsh Cup.
Bangor have also strengthened significantly ahead of Saturday’s JD Welsh Cup match with the signing of two-time JD Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner Declan McManus following his departure from Irish side Coleraine.
“You’ve got to give them credit,” said Wheeler. “The staff and the club as a whole, they’re a highly-talented group and their recent acquisitions are very experienced at this level. We know it’s going to be tricky in that sense, and they’re going to be backed by a big crowd at home.
“But for us, these are the games you want to be involved in, and we’ll concentrate on ourselves as that’s the most important thing. In these games it can come down to fine margins, so we need to make sure we’re on it.”
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