Goodwick United to face Penlan Club in West Wales Cup final at the Liberty Stadium

Goodwick United v Penlan Club

It’s another massive night in the history of Goodwick United.

This Monday, the club returns to the Liberty Stadium looking to capture a second West Wales Cup in three seasons when they take on a strong Penlan Club side.

Like two years ago, bus loads of supporters will leave Phoenix Park late afternoon – and they’ll be hoping for a similar outcome. That night, goals from Jonny Horgan and Rhys Dalling gave The Phoenix Boys a 2-1 win over Morriston Olympic to cement a glorious occasion for then manager Nigel Delaney and his players.

This time around it’s Wayne O’Sullivan in charge along with brother Chris. What Goodwick have instilled in recent years is a sense of professionalism amongst players, and a know how in big games that will stand them in good stead for another huge test.

Telegraph Sport takes a look at the main factors surrounding the final, and assesses just what The Phoenix Boys have to do to relive the glory of May 2016…..

Road to the final:

Round One:

Penlan Club 15-1 Onllwyn

St Clears 0-7 Goodwick United

Round Two:

Morriston Town 1-7 Penlan Club

Kilvey Fords 0-3 Goodwick United

Round Three:

Goodwick United 3-0 CRC Rangers

Ragged School 0-2 Penlan Club

Round Four:

Seven Sisters 2-4 Penlan Club

Goodwick United 4-3 Hakin United

Quarter finals:

Goodwick United 2-0 Ystradgynlais

Penlan Club 5-0 Murton Rovers

Semi finals:

Penlan Club 1-0 Bwlch Rangers (after extra time)

Goodwick United 4-0 Carew

Been there, done that:

When you’re an amateur footballer preparing to play a big final on a Premier League (Championship) football ground, it’s natural to feel a mixture of nerves, excitement, and anxiety.

That can have either a positive or negative impact – but what certainly helps, is if you’ve played there and won before.

Goodwick captured the trophy at the Liberty en route to their famous treble in 2015/16, beating Morriston Olympic 2-1. By my calculations, 11 of the players involved that night are in the 16-man squad again this time around.

So The Phoenix Boys will know what it takes, and there is little chance of them being daunted by the stadium or the occasion.

Furthermore, the club are no strangers to rising to the task in both the FAW Trophy and West Wales Cup in recent times, and their semi final dismantling of a dangerous Carew team was as ruthless as it was efficient.

Penlan themselves have also been involved in some big finals, notably the Trophy final with Chirk AAA last season, but regardless of what they bring to the table – Wayne O’Sullivan’s team won’t be fazed.

They meet again:

To re-iterate that last point, the sides have already met this season in the third round of the afore-mentioned FAW Trophy in October, a game Goodwick won 3-2.

And as if this clash needed any more hype, let’s just say it wasn’t a quiet affair.

In a dramatic encounter, the Pembrokeshire side trailed 2-0 in the second half, but fought back to level through an Adam Raymond header and Jordan Griffiths penalty.

Stef Hayes was sent off for The Phoenix Boys, but Penlan ended the game with eight men after three red cards themselves - and the tie was eventually settled by a sublime Chris O’Sullivan free kick.

I don’t believe this will give Wayne O’Sullivan’s side a big psychological advantage as such, but at least they go in knowing they can both beat and score goals against the Swansea-based side.

And Penlan’s lack of discipline in that last clash, will not have gone unnoticed…..

The form factor:

Since drawing with Merlins Bridge on March 29th, Goodwick have won seven consecutive games in Pembrokeshire’s Division One.

The last of those was a hard fought 3-2 win away at Carew, and the fact they are still chasing the title and have had no margin for error, would have helped their preparation for Monday.

There is nothing worse than having to raise your game after a few meaningless dead rubbers, but The Phoenix Boys will head to the Liberty with both form and momentum.

One thing Wayne and brother Chris will always guarantee is a squad that is fit, focused, and prepared. The result then often looks after itself.

But Penlan themselves, will go in battle hardened.

Since losing to Malsters Sports on December 16th, they have gone six league games unbeaten, and although the title is beyond them – they too have had no room to let standards slip ahead of their Swansea Senior Cup final on May 19th against Penclawdd.

In fact, their last run-out was a 5-1 revenge win over Malsters in the semi final last Saturday, and they will also head to Swansea with the bit between their teeth.

Given the run both sides have been on, it’s fair to say there’s no clear favourite.

Who goes where?

Goodwick United squad: James Gwilt, Steff Hayes, Llyr Tobin, Iestyn Evans, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Anthony Couzens, Adam Raymond, Matty Delaney, Kieran O’Brien, Chris O’Sullivan, Steven Dockerty, Lee Hudgell, Jordan Griffiths, Jonny Horgan, Rowan Nicholson.

By the time they kick off on Monday night, Goodwick would have enjoyed an 11-day break since that league win against The Rooks.

It’s something Wayne O’Sullivan would have welcomed after a frenzied period of re-arranged matches, and his side have no fresh injury worries ahead of the final.

One major blow is the absence of Rhys Dalling, who despite returning from a lengthy injury lay off, is abroad the day of the final. Whether the striker has been 100% fit anyhow only he knows but his clinical ability inside the area, as proved in Goodwick’s last final at the Liberty, is always an asset.

Aside from that, I expect Goodwick to stick to the regular back four this season of Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Iestyn Evans and Stefan Hayes - with James Gwilt inevitably in goal. The Phoenix Boys have taken the risk of not naming a back up keeper on the bench.

Jordan Griffiths is likely to play the central striker role, but it's in midifield where manager and coach may have a selection problem.

Club captain Adam Raymond and (Chris) O'Sullivan are sure to start, while the pace and threat of Lee Hudgell is a must on the slick surface of the Liberty.

That leaves Matty Delaney, Jonny Horgan, and Kieran O'Brien fighting for two spots, and while the latter two are proven winners and have the experience of this occasion before, Delaney's semi final display and form this season presents a strong case. It's a nice problem to have.

Of course, all will be revealed an hour before kick off, but regardless of the XI, Goodwick have a strong 16 man squad of fully capable players. It's exactly what you want for a final.

The view from Phoenix Park:

Wayne O Sullivan (Player manager):

“We have had a decent break since out last league game and that will play a big part in us being fresh for the final.

“We are lucky that we have a very good balance of youth and very experienced players in the squad who have a lot of experience in big games - and most of the squad are still onboard from two years ago.

“To win it again would be huge for the club and a big reward to every member of the squad who have put in a huge amount of hard work in, week in and week out, throughout what has been a long hard season.”

Chris O’Sullivan (Player coach):

“As a club from the board off the pitch to the players on it, it’s a credit to them all in reaching two finals in three years.

“Everyone pulls in the same direction so it’s a nice reward and day out for all involved. Having worked closely with most of the players for two or three years now their application, professionalism, and desire to win, and doing so in the right manner, is a credit to all.

“The final will be a hell of battle against a very good Penlan team, but if our mindset is right then fingers crossed we can bring the cup back to Pembrokeshire again."

Brian Morris (Chairman):

“To reach a second final in three years is a tremendous achievement by the players and we’re very proud of them.

“We had a fantastic time in 2016 and it should be a great club day out again. There are more than 60 players and supporters staying up the night in the Grand Hotel and we really appreciate all the support.

“Other Pembrokeshire sides have sent us messages saying good luck and there are people and ex-players travelling a long way to watch us. We hope it’s a happy occasion for them.”