CROESYCEILIOG will be looking to continue their dominance over Newport clubs this season by upsetting the odds to beat Newport County in the Gwent Senior Cup final tomorrow.
The MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two outfit will be underdogs in the showpiece event at Abergavenny Thursdays’ Pen y Pound Stadium against Blue Square Bet Premier League County.
But, having already disposed of Newport YMCA and Newport Civil Service on their way to the final, Croesy manager Gareth Morgan is hopeful that his side can cause an upset and take the cup back to Cwmbran.
“Nobody gave us a hope against Goytre United in the League Cup final last year and we won 3-1 so you never know,” said Morgan.
“We will obviously go into the game as big underdogs even if County don’t play their first team but this game means a lot to our lads and we’ll give it our all and hope to cause an upset.”
Morgan saw his side’s promotion hopes hit by defeat to AFC Porth last Saturday and he believes the final has come at the right time for his players.
“We’ve hit the rocks in the league and the final will be a nice distraction,” he explained.
“We have to rely on Porth losing their last game but I believe if we can win our two remaining matches we will still go up.
“But first we will concentrate on the cup.”
Ex-Cwmbran Town striker Jody Jenkins and youngster Christian Doidge will be the main threat to Anthony Hudson’s Exiles.
The front pair have 36 goals between them with Jenkins hitting 19 and Doidge 17.
“They have been fantastic for us and the number of goals is incredible considering their partnership only really started in April,” added Morgan.
“I think everyone knows about Jody but Christian is a young kid who has the talent to go a long way and this match is a big chance for him to show what he can do.”
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