Nash: "These are the games you want to be involved in"

Ben Nash says the JD Welsh Cup Final needs ‘no extra motivation’ as he and his teammates prepare to face The New Saints in Sunday’s much-anticipated clash.

The Nomads travel to Rodney Parade, home of Newport County, with Neil Gibson’s side seeking revenge after losing 2-0 to TNS last weekend in the final match of the JD Cymru Premier campaign.

Defender Nash admits he and his teammates played extremely well despite the defeat, and taking the numerous positives into this Sunday could see The Nomads push Saints to the limit once again.

“I thought we were really good for large parts of that game,” said Nash. “We created really good chances at 0-0, and hopefully we can take those opportunities this Sunday and give ourselves a good chance of winning the game and lifting the cup.”

Having won league titles and cup competitions before, confidence never lacks within Connah’s Quay Nomads, especially in finals.

Winning trophies is the biggest possible achievement for almost every football club across the country. Nash claims that he and the rest of the squad will cherish the cup final at Rodney Parade in order to bring success to the fans.

He stated: “Football is about winning trophies and when you get older, you don’t get the chance to play in that many finals.

“We’re keen to make Sunday count. The competition means a lot to us and everybody involved with the club.

“These are the games you want to be involved in as a player and the Welsh Cup Final needs no extra motivation. All the lads are chomping at the bit for Sunday and training has been sharp all week, so although TNS are favourites, we’re still really confident heading into the match.”

The Nomads have been in stellar form throughout this season’s JD Welsh Cup campaign having scored 20 goals and conceding just twice.

It has been a tough run for The Nomads so far, but to go far in cup competition was one of the main aims for the squad at the start of the season, insists Nash.

“Our cup run has been really positive,” said the defender. “It’s a competition we’ve been keen to go far in and our performances show that.

“We’ve beaten two top six Cymru Premier teams, we’ve been successful in a local derby and successful in a tricky quarter-final against Buckley, who have done well since Asa Hamilton took over.

“It has been a tough run and we’re proud to get to the final, and hopefully we can go all the way on Sunday.”

The Nomads have had success in the JD Welsh Cup before, defeating Aberystwyth Town 4-1 back in 2018, which was a historic day for the club.

Nash was a Nomads academy coach during The Nomads’ cup success in 2018 and his impressive career in Welsh football so far has seen him become one of the most talented players across the JD Cymru Premier.

The 25-year-old believes adding a JD Welsh Cup to his already long list of accomplishments at the club would go straight to the top.

“It would have to be at the top,” he said. “Getting into Europe is massive and not something we take lightly, but winning the Welsh Cup would be on top.”

Nash and The Nomads will give it their all on Sunday - you can catch all the action live on S4C and Sgorio’s online platforms or follow our social media channels for live match updates.