Trethomas Bluebirds going under the radar in Cymru South

The Ardal South East champions will aim to continue their strong start to the season when they host Baglan Dragons in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup tomorrow evening.

The Bluebirds won 3-2 at Cwmbran Celtic in the first round of the competition and then got their league campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 triumph at Llantwit Major, a success that would have been more comfortable but for a pair of penalty misses.

The Caerphilly side welcome Baglan, who they beat on their way to lifting the FAW Amateur Trophy in 2023, to CCB Centre For Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach with the hope of making more quiet progress.

Trethomas have gone under the radar ahead of their first year in the Cymru South, and boss Mark Dunford wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s great! We enjoy being understated and we are just quietly going about our business, trying to reinforce what we have developed in recent years to take things a bit higher,” said the manager.

“I’ve said all along that we have taken the stairs and not the elevator; we have gone nice and slowly to be well prepared for this level with all our ducks in a row.”

Last season was a remarkable one for the Bluebirds, who won the title despite Newport City putting the heat on in the second half of the campaign.

Dunford’s side lost just four games – to Welsh champions The New Saints in the Welsh Cup, to Penrhyncoch in the semi-finals of the Amateur Trophy, to Goytre in April when they had a commanding league and Newport in the final game when the title was secure.

BOSS: Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford (Image: Rob Hill Photography)

“We’ve had quite a lot of success over the last three years with some showcase fixtures,” said Dunford.

“We’ve had some great times and it’s been a nice gradual lead up to where we want to be in this division.

“We are happy with how things have gone in the first two games but are by no means getting carried away.

“There are some extremely strong clubs in this division and our ambition is to continue our journey and keep implementing what we do well, then see where that takes us.

“It’s difficult to set aims for the league and the cup, we have come into it with an open perspective whereas last year there was a very narrow target of promotion.

“This year it’s exploratory and to enjoy doing what we have done to the best of our ability.”

Dunford & Co have opted against making big changes for Cymru South, trusting the core that won the title to make the step up.

“We have an excellent team ethic with characters throughout the squad. Throughout the years I have always signed the person as much as the player,” said the boss.

“We are a strong unit and the commitment of the lads is excellent. If players can’t commit to that culture then the club is not for them.

“Recently we have brought in a bit more experience with the likes of James Saddler,Lee Baldock, Cameron Clarke, Dave Vincent, well established former Welsh Prem and Cymru South players who fit the type of signing we wanted.

“Their professionalism and attitude has been outstanding, which isn’t always the case when players drop down. They have added a lot to us.”

Trethomas host the Dragons and then entertain Penrhiwceiber Rangers in the league on Tuesday evening, when Newport City host Cambrian United and Cwmbran Celtic travel to Llanelli.

There are two Ardal South East fixtures this weekend with Blaenavon Blues hosting Croesyceiliog on Friday and Chepstow travelling to Abertillery Bluebirds on Saturday.

The FAW Amateur Trophy starts with clubs aiming to follow in the lead of Gwent duo Trethomas and Newport City, who have won the last two editions of the tournament.

FIXTURES

Nathaniel MG Cup, round two (South): Friday – Trethomas v Baglan, Cardiff City v Pontypridd United, Goytre United v Caerau Ely, Barry Town United v Llanelli Town; Saturday – Briton Ferry Llansawel v Penybont, Carmarthen v Haverfordwest, Llantwit Major v Cardiff Met, Merthyr v Ammanford.

Ardal SE: Friday – Blaenavon Blues v Croesyceiliog; Saturday – Abertillery Bluebirds v Chepstow.

FAW Amateur Trophy, qualifying round fixtures (South East): Friday - Abergavenny Town v Tredegar Town, AFC Pontymister v Abertillery Excelsiors, Goytre v Rogerstone, Llanrumney United v Carn Rovers; Saturday - Abercarn United v Ponthir, Albion Rovers v Machen, Alway v Thornwell R & W, Bettws v Brynmawr United, Clydach Wasps v Newport Saints, Cwmbach Royal Stars v Undy, Cwmcarn Athletic v AFC Wattstown, Lliswerry v Bridgend Street, Mardy v Underwood, Monmouth Town v Pentwynmawr Athletic, Nantyglo v Brecon Corries, Newbridge Town v Coed Eva Athletic, Newport Corinthians v Panteg, Portskewett & Sudbrook v Nelson Cavaliers, Risca United v New Inn, Riverside Rovers v Treowen Stars, Twyn y Ffald Blues v Graig Villa Dino.

WELSH CUP DRAW

The draw has been made for the second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup (south), with ties to be played on the weekend of August 23.

Welsh Cup, second qualifying round (south): Blaenavon Blues v Cardiff Corinthians, Builth Wells v Cefn Cribwr, Goytre v Pontyclun, Cardiff Draconians v Bettws, Aberdare Town v Newport Corinthians, Rogerstone v Dafen Welfare, Clwb Cymric v Cwm Wanderers, Monmouth Town v Seven Sisters Onllwyn, Ffostrasol v Pencoed Athletic, Treherbert v Pantscallog Village, Morriston Town v Port Talbot Town, Holton Road v Pill, Ely Rangers v Treforest, St Josephs v AFC Bargoed, FC Cwmaman, v Cwmamman United, Clydach v West End, New Inn v Evans & Williams, Abertillery Bluebirds v Cascade YC, Cardiff Bay Warriors v Cwrt Rawlin, Cwmbran Town v Llangeinor, Penlan v Caldicot Town, Porthcawl Town Athletic v Newport Saints, Risca United v Seaside, Ynysygerwn v Cardiff Airport, AFC Llwydcoed v Croesyceiliog, Pontardawe Town v Aber Valley, Penydarren v Canton, Bryn Rovers v Chepstow Town, Swansea University v Caerphilly Athletic.