Pontypridd United are the only non-Genero Adran Premier side left in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, and they are looking to become the first second tier side to win the competition.
After being relegated from the top-flight last season, the Dragons have been in a titanic title tussle in the Adran South. However, after victories against Penybont and Swansea University, midfielder Madison Williams thinks the squad are on the cusp of something special.
“It’s been incredible the season we’ve had so far in the Adran South. It’s been really tough, and it’s been really tight all season, but we’re here to compete and we’re here to win. We’ve come so far as a team since being relegated last season, but it’s a huge moment for the club.”
Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-finals
‘We like proving people wrong’
This is a very young Ponty side, led by Claire O’Sullivan, but it’s a team that have recorded a lot of impressive results this season, and Williams says they thrive off being the underdog.
“We’re a really young squad, but we’ve got a lot of quality here. We work well together, we haven’t got anything to lose, so we might as well go all out and give it our all. We want to show people, no matter who we play against, that we’re here to win. We like being the underdog and proving people wrong.”
The biggest example of that was their quarter-final win away at Aberystwyth Town. Nicole Fenton scored a brace in the win that Williams hailed as monumental.
“That was a huge win for us over Aberystwyth. We went there with everyone on a high, and we all believed in ourselves in that game. Football isn’t played on paper, you never know who’s going to win and what’s going to happen. We’re seen as more of an underdog, and it was an unreal win.”
The only thing standing between Pontypridd and their first ever Bute Energy Welsh Cup final are Wrexham at Latham Park on Sunday. Steve Dale’s side are on an astonishing six-game winning run in all competitions, and while Williams knows the challenge in front of them is tough, it’s not an impossible one.
“We know Wrexham are a strong side who have a lot of quality players. They’re doing very well and are in a good moment, but we have our own strengths. We want to try and impose our game onto them and see what we can do.”
The last year for the Dragons has been tough, but there is certainly light at the end of the tunnel, and Williams is hopeful Sunday can be a big turning point in their history.
“It would be incredible to reach a cup final, and I can say that on behalf of everyone involved with the club. We respect Wrexham, but we’re here to compete and win. Sunday will be a chance to show how far we’ve come, and it’s going to be a huge moment for the club. We will go into the game fully believing we can reach a final.”
