by Ethan Harris
THE University of South Wales 3rd team enjoyed a convincing 5-0 victory over Gloucester 2nd’s last Wednesday, but manager Rob Bailey is looking forward to their USW 4th side match-up after the Christmas break.
After a 4-2 loss to the 4th’s last time out, the 3rd side will be looking to get their revenge and will be riding high after three consecutive victories.
They will have to wait for their chance, but they are very keen to put their mistakes right.
“Taking three points off the 4th side is the first job,” said Bailey.
“I’m still hurting after the way we lost in that game, just the way we lost, because that was the only time that the boys have played poorly, and I want to put that right.
“We’ve said for the last couple of weeks now that we’ve got cup finals right until the end of the season, and our mentality is that we go into every game like it is a cup final and put in a big performance and see where it takes us.
“You know, we lost against Plymouth, but it was a very good performance and we’ve built on that so now we know we can play, everything’s all good.”
After a dominant 5-0 display against Gloucester, the side has certainly begun to make headway up the league table, and their manager was happy with the performance on the day.
“I’m pleased with how the boys played and a great start which is what we asked for,” Bailey continued.
“We’ve been frustrated, we don’t put the ball into the back of the net as often as we should. So, to get an early goal, you could just see the shackles come off a little bit.
“Especially in the second half, making five substitutions, having a 16-man squad all playing well, I’m very pleased.”
Defenders Arran Finlayson and Mael Evans enjoyed great success out-wide during the game, bursting forward at every opportunity to provide stellar support play.
Their manager was full of praise for the work rate they had shown, admitting they had been working hard in training to get the final ball to stick.
“It’s one of those things where our final pass hasn’t been quite right,” Bailey remarked.
“We’ve been doing all the hard work, getting in the final areas, the full-backs were fantastic, I don’t know how they kept up the energy for the period of time that they did.
“The wingbacks worked really well but we’ve worked hard all season long, it’s something that they’re just naturally good at anyway.”
