Carmarthen Town will compete in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history when they host Wrexham on Sunday (KO 14:00).
Pushing for top spot in the Genero Adran South, this is a Carmarthen side who have been on an incredible rise since forming in 2022, tasting promotion three times in a row to reach tier two of the women’s football pyramid.
Former Aberystwyth Town midfielder Summer Evans joined Carmarthen at the start of the season, and has now found regular senior minutes at the LHP Stadium.
“It was a fresh start that I needed,” Evans explained. “Even just the exposure and a new level of football, it’s definitely benefitted me. I’ve only found positives from it so far and it’s made me a better player.
“It’s really become a competitive league, and it’s anyone’s to take. It was something you wanted to be a part of. To be in it now and be in the middle of it, it’s such a good energy. Just to see what Carmarthen have been through with the rise, it’s amazing to see.”
Evans was a key player in the Genero Adran U19s League for Aberystwyth last season, alongside sister Jem, who has also made the move to Carmarthen.
The duo still play a role in the U19s side at their new club, with Jem captaining the team, but both are also reaping the rewards of playing in the senior side too.
“The U19s league is so underestimated, it’s so competitive and it’s so high intensity, and I love playing in it,” Evans said. “The group of girls that you build a connection with and build friendships with is amazing.
“For me and Jem every week we look forward to playing with the U19s, because you know there’s going to be a high-quality game there. It’s only benefiting me playing in both because I’m playing more and I’m getting more minutes.”
Thriving in the leagues, Evans has been vital to Carmarthen’s progression in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup too. The Old Gold caused an upset by triumphing 2-1 over top-flight Pontypridd United in the last round, with the 16-year-old scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot.
“We were confident in our own abilities,” Evans said. “We know Pontypridd are an Genero Adran Premier team, but we never thought that we didn’t have a chance.
“Having no pressure on us, it was let’s go out and enjoy the moment, the occasion. After early chances, and then that penalty, it really settled us. I think we actually deserved more from that game, that only showed a snippet of what we can do.”
Bute Energy Welsh Cup
They now have another opportunity to show their quality against a top-flight side, in the form of title challengers Wrexham.
A game which has been labelled the biggest fixture in Carmarthen’s history, it’s a day both on and off the field that Evans and the rest of the squad are looking forward to.
“It’s a huge occasion. We’ve all been talking about it for weeks now. We’re also being realistic, we know there’s no pressure on us, and we’re going to enjoy the game, the occasion, the support, the whole atmosphere of the day. Hopefully people will come out to support and people will turn up and back us.
“We know it’s going to be a tough test; we know Wrexham, we know their strengths and qualities. They’re one of the best for a reason.
“It’s taking on board little bits of their game and can we implement it into our game. We’re going to go out there, testing ourselves, and seeing where we are compared to the Genero Adran Premier, and what we can work on. But we know we also have our own qualities that we bring that are different.
“I think that showed against Pure Swansea on Sunday, in the second half we turned into a completely different team. If we play like that then I think we make ourselves a strong competitor.”
Bute Energy Welsh Cup
Preview all of the Quarter-Final ties
Evans is referring to her side’s remarkable comeback in the Genero Adran South last weekend, when they fought back from 3-0 down at half-time to win 4-3 against title rivals Pure Swansea.
Evans believes the way Carmarthen turned that game around shows the character in the group.
“First half it just didn’t go well for us. Everything was going the wrong way. They found their goals, but second half, we knew we could go back out there and pick up the level.
“The friendships we’ve built, the trust and belief, and the ability to work hard for one another on that day, it just showed what a great team we are together.”
