Penygraig United have been the story of the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy this season and veteran defender Mark Crutch believes the team from the sixth tier can still go one step further and lift the trophy this weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said Crutch to FAW.cymru this week. “Let’s make no bones about it. We’re expecting a tough game, but we’ve had this underdog mentality right the way through the competition.
“These boys are all from the same village, they play for each other and they work hard for each other. It’s another game where we put it to them to not let it pass them by, don’t leave anything behind and give everything you can.”
Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy Final
The side from the South Wales Premier League Division 1 East are also still challenging for the league title as well with just three games remaining, but their immediate focus is very much on the challenge of taking on Port Talbot Town, a team currently playing two divisions above them, in Saturday’s Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy Final at Ynys Park, Trefelin (KO 17.15).
The local connection
“It’s my local team and I’ve obviously got a bit of a buzz back at my age,” Crutch added. “I’m enjoying playing at my local club and trying to help the youngsters along. My legs are not what they used to be, but my experience can help them.
“The league and challenging for promotion is our bread and butter, but the momentum of this cup has helped to keep that going. They’re all great friends outside of football as well, and having that tight-knit group has helped massively on the pitch.”
Based in the town of Tonypandy, Penygraig United are a relatively new club on the Rhondda football circuit having been established in 2016, but they have already sealed two promotions to progress from the Rhondda & District Football League (RDFL) to take their current place in the pyramid system. They also have previous experience of cup success as in 2021/22 they claimed both the RDFL Lucania Cup and the RDFL League Cup.
Now 41, Crutch has played across the entire spectrum of the domestic game in Wales, and played a key part in a memorable cup upset in 2018/19 when Cambrian defeated The New Saints in the semi-final of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
“That season I hadn’t actually played a lot of football due to commitments with work,” he explained. “I remember being on the bench and Dane [Williams – Manager] asked me to go on in extra-time. A corner came in and with my first touch I scored! That was right up there for me personally.”
The road to the final for Josh Broom’s side began with a 9-1 win over Penygraig BGC Seniors, before victories over Cardiff Airport and Dinas Powys pushed Penygraig United into the latter stages of the competition.
A convincing 4-0 win at Bridgend Street was followed by a 3-2 win over West End, before penalties were required to see off the challenge of Bow Street. History was made in the semi-final at Latham Park, Newtown as top scorer Tai Watts scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win.
Penygraig United have been well-supported through this run in the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy, and Crutch recognises how important that has been for his team.
“We’ve been to some tough places like West End and Bridgend Street,” he explained. “But the support we had at Newtown was unbelievable. The whole community travelled there to support us and it will be the same on Saturday. Now we just want to pick up the trophy as it would mean everything to the community.”
Crutch played alongside Port Talbot Town manager Richard Ryan at Aberaman Athletic and the pair are still in regular contact.
“I’ve played with Ritchie in the past and we’ve also had plenty of battles against each other as opponents too,” he added. “He’s always been a good talker about the game and I remember signing for Goytre United when he was coaching there, and you could see then that he would make the next step up. To be fair, he’s doing really well.”
Watch: Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy final
The end of an era?
As for Crutch, a league and cup double with Penygraig United this season would be the perfect way to bring the curtain down on his own playing career.
“I’ve been saying for the last ten years that I’m going to retire! I did say to my wife that if we can win the cup and get promotion maybe it would be the right time to hang up the boots finally and go out on a high.
“I played my junior football at Penygraig, so to be back here now at this stage of my career, and to be a part of that success, would just be unbelievable for me.
“I did intend to be more involved as coach at the club this season, but with injuries I’ve been asked to play. I’ve actually enjoyed it though, and now I want to play more!
“But ultimately, I want to get more involved on the coaching side and help Josh because he’s been there from day one and it’s hard, so he does need some help on the sidelines and I think I could be the right man to give him a hand. I’ll probably still register as a player as well though!”
