After a career which has seen him progress through Swansea City’s academy, play in the UEFA Europa League and represent Cymru at youth level, Kerry Morgan is enjoying one last dance at local side Penydarren.
“I started here at five years old, so it’s come full circle really as I’ll probably end up finishing here,” Morgan told Faw.cymru this week. “It’s nice to be playing locally, more friends and family can come to watch the games.”
Morgan, 36, joined Penydarren in the summer, after becoming a club legend in an 11-year spell at Merthyr Town. His new side had just been relegated to the South Wales Premier League Premier Division – the fourth tier of Welsh football.
While they have started their quest for an instant return to tier three with seven points from four league games, it is in the JD Welsh Cup that they have made headlines.
Penydarren are yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition, progressing past Abertillery Excelsiors and Canton before causing an upset in Round Two by winning 2-0 against JD Cymru South high-flyers Pontypridd United.
It was a massive night for us and there was a great crowd there for it,” Morgan says. “Kerry [Mullin, Penydarren manager] had watched a few of their games and he got their gameplan spot on in terms of how they go very direct. We worked on how to counter that in training and it came together in the game.
“Our centre-backs dealt with everything, we won the second balls in midfield and then us boys up top had the freedom to play. I thought once we scored the first goal that we might be against the ropes a bit, but we handled it well and then the second goal gave us a cushion. We deserved the win and I don’t think anyone from Pontypridd could deny that.”
Penydarren now stand as one of only three sides from the fourth tier left in the competition – alongside Rogerstone and Pill – and they welcome 2007 JD Welsh Cup winners Carmarthen Town to the Bont Playing Fields in Round Three on Saturday.
Morgan was part of the Port Talbot Town team that reached the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup in 2015/16 and knows the magic the competition can produce.
“There is always a different atmosphere with the Welsh Cup and they are the fixtures you get most excited for. Even growing up and watching games on TV, there was always that vibe around it.
“Penydarren’s main aim is to climb back up the leagues but everyone wants a cup run. Gate money for these games can be massive for the club.”
Could another upset be on the cards on Saturday? Carmarthen have lost three of their last four games in the JD Cymru South, but Penydarren have also struggled over the last week.
“We have lost our last two games which hasn’t been ideal preparation, but we should have a few boys back from injury and suspension on Saturday,” Morgan says.
“The longer we stay in the game, we only need one opportunity to go in for us. We know they are a good side and they’ll rightly be the favourites, but if we stay in the game and create half a chance then who knows? On paper, they should beat us. But Pontypridd should have too. We’ve just got to make it as difficult as possible for them.”
