By Josh Thomas
Dane Williams reckons Cambrian & Clydach’s greatest night in their history will soon be surpassed by an even bigger one.
The manager has hailed the 2-1 victory over holders The New Saints on Friday night as “incredible” and an “unbelievable night” for the Rhondda side.
Despite being in charge for just six months, Williams has guided the team to victories over four Welsh Premier League sides in Barry Town, Aberystwyth Town, Newtown and now TNS on their incredible Nathaniel MG Cup adventure.
And now he is relishing the biggest game of all when they face Cardiff Met in the final.
“Incredible, I can’t really put it into words, other than incredible, that is as good as it gets for me as a manager and potentially this club. It is just an unbelievable night,” said Williams.
“This has just become the second greatest game in history isn’t it? Of course the final will be the biggest game in the club’s history.
“We’ve worked for every single win and we deserve to be there.”
Substitutes Mark Crutch and Andre Griffiths struck either side of a Greg Draper penalty as the Welsh League outfit won 2–1 after extra time being watched by a 410 crowd.
Williams added: “To be honest with you, we are fortunate where every one of the players in the squad and on the bench are capable of playing, starting and playing really well.”
“Just proud, proud of the players, proud of the management group, proud of everyone involved in the club, because it is quite an achievement.
“For the community, it’s massive. You’ve seen the fans here and sheer volume of people through the door, It’s massive.”
Brothers John and Phil who have been with the club for over thirty years have seen the club through its highs and lows and Williams was quick to praise the pair.
“We had Phil out there on the pitch with all the players and they had him in a circle and they were slinging him around.
“He deserves it, people like Phil and John absolutely deserve every moment of this night.”
After being named as assistant to Craig Hughes last season, the former Merthyr player took over from during the summer.
And with five out of the starting eleven coming from the academy, including graduate and captain Dai Thomas, the manager is predicting a bright future for his team.”
He added: “The academy is what this club is built on and our performance was built on those foundations, which have already been laid before me and I’m very fortunate to inherit that.
“This can only take the club, the team and the players forward.
“Regardless of what happens with me personally and the club in the future, there’s going to be a number of players who won’t be here very long.
“They don’t deserve to be playing at this level because they are way beyond this level.”