The New Saints suffered a surprise defeat in the JD Welsh Cup Final last season, but summer signing Sion Bradley is targeting a domestic treble with his new club as they prepare to face Cambrian United in the semi-finals at Park Avenue on Sunday (KO 12:45).
“That would be amazing,” Bradley told FAW.cymru when asked about a potential trophy clean-sweep. “We’ve already won the Nathaniel MG Cup and hopefully we can win the league in the next few weeks with our current form.
“Everyone wants to win trophies, it’s drilled into you when you join TNS, but we won’t take Cambrian lightly. I’ve never been this far in the Welsh Cup before so it would be special to go the distance and lift the trophy at the end of the season.”
JD Welsh Cup semi-finals
Bradley made a high-profile switch from Caernarfon Town to Park Hall last summer, having helped the Cofis to qualify for their first European campaign. His contribution was recognised when he was named JD Cymru Premier Player of the Year shortly after his transfer.
“It was a massive achievement for me,” he explained. “I’ve worked my way up through the leagues so to top it off with the award, it was definitely the best year I’ve had in football.”
Switch to full-time football with TNS
The move to TNS meant a switch to full-time football for the first time in Bradley’s career. Having recently turned 27, the striker reflected on the transition that took place while his new club were making history by qualifying for the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League.
“At the start it was hard because I’ve never been in a full-time professional environment before,” he explained. “But I’m really enjoying it as all I’ve ever wanted to do really is play football.
“Obviously the experiences we’ve had in Europe, to play against teams I never thought I would play against like Fiorentina and Panathinaikos, were incredible.”
However, competition for places in Craig Harrison’s side means that Bradley’s opportunities have been limited.
“I want to play as many games as I can, and when you don’t play, it can be frustrating,” he added. “But with the squad we’ve got and the talented players that we have in the squad you just have to fight for your place, train well, and hopefully it will come.”
Bradley was on the scoresheet for his new club as the JD Welsh Cup campaign began with a huge 16-0 win over Llangollen Town. Further victories over Cardiff Met and Colwyn Bay followed before Bradley added to his tally with a goal and an assist in the 5-0 win over Airbus UK Broughton in the quarter-final.
“It was good to get 90 minutes and contribute to the team as well,” he added. “Airbus have been flying in the Cymru North, so we were thankful to get through that and into the semi-finals.”
‘We won’t take Cambrian United lightly’
Semi-final opponents Cambrian United are currently mid-table in the JD Cymru South and reached the semi-finals for the first-time in their history with a 3-1 win over Carmarthen Town last month.
Penalty shoot-out victories over league rivals Goytre United and Afan Lido in previous rounds either side of a 3-2 win over Llandudno make up the rest of their cup run, meaning that TNS will be their first top-flight opponents in the competition this season.
However, this isn’t the first time the two teams have met, and it was back in December 2018 that the then-named Cambrian & Clydach claimed a famous 2-1 win over TNS in the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals.
“It’s a one-off game and we don’t take any teams lightly,” Bradley added. “It will be a tough game but the manager and the staff here will make sure we’re well-drilled on the clips we have of them, and hopefully we can reach the final.”
