It’s not every day that you face the back-to-back and current holders of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, but that’s the challenge that lies in front of Penclawdd in Round One this weekend.
It was only a couple of years ago that the club was formed, but they have been on an incredible rise thanks in part to the UEFA 2022 European Championship.
Penclawdd captain Emily Jenkinson explained just how far the club have come in such a short space of time.
“The women’s section was set up about eight years ago, and there were only about nine players in that first season. The last three seasons, however, have been really good. We had a sudden influx following the Euros, and we went from about 20 players on the books to having over 30.
“Last season was our first in the third tier, and we were also able to establish a second team because of the numbers we had. We won our league cup last year too, so it’s been nice to see that growth over the last few years.”
It’s been a solid start to the season for the team who have registered two wins and one defeat in the league so far, but it’s the cup that’s been a real source of excitement.
To reach the first round, Penclawdd overcame Abertillery Belles 15-1, and the result showed the improvements in the squad, according to Jenkinson.
“It was a really good win, and we’ve always been striving to play better football from season to season. We’re a team who just want to play and learn, and we’re happy to have coaches who provide that level of insight that can push us to the next level.
“Coupled with that, scoring has been something we’ve found difficult recently, so find the back of the net as many times as we did was really pleasing.”
Their prize for their big victory is a tie against the current holders, reigning Adran Premier champions, and Champions League side Cardiff City.
Just listing what the Bluebirds have done already is enough to make any side a little nervous, but Jenkinson is looking to turn those nerves into energy.
“There was a lot of excitement amongst the girls when we saw we’d be playing Cardiff City. To get the opportunity to host them at home is special. Our groundsman, Gerald, is out there every day making sure everything is ready for Sunday. To be able to host a team like Cardiff City is an exciting opportunity for a small Gower club who are always looking to improve.”
And it’s people like Gerald that epitomise what it means for a club like Penclawdd to face a behemoth like Cardiff City.
It’s a game that the entire community is going to come out for, and Jenkinson believes that could push them even harder on the weekend.
“We’re making a really big deal out of this game. A lot of the men’s team are going to be there, we’re getting a lot of support from the local community. Our local landlady is one of our sponsors, and she’s hosting post-match celebrations for both teams with food and stuff after.
“Having the community behind us will definitely spur us on in moments where we’re chasing the ball. To see how much the game means to the club and the community will be a massive advantage to us.”
Of course, Penclawdd come into this fixture as almighty underdogs, but it’s also a game that allows them to look back on what they’ve accomplished.
There are still members of that first team eight years ago who are playing now, and it’s for players like them that this game means so much. It’s a chance for Penclawdd to put themselves on the map, and it’s an opportunity Jenkinson and her squad are relishing.
“It’s going to be a moment where we realise how far we’ve come. We’ve still got five players who were there in the original team eight years ago, and it’s going to be a real full-circle moment for them on Sunday. To think of where they started to now be hosting Cardiff City is really exciting.
“We want to show what we can do and enjoy the moment. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play a team like Cardiff City, and it’s going to be a challenge we’re all going to embrace.”
