RHYL boss Greg Strong is happy to go into tomorrow’s Welsh Cup clash with Llanelli as underdogs and believes all the pressure will be on the reigning champions.
Andy Legg’s men are favourites for the last 16 tie at Rhyl’s Belle Vue home but go up against a side that already have a Premier League scalp to their name in the competition.
The Lilywhites beat Newtown 2-1 in the last round and are now just one win away from reaching the quarter-finals.
And manager Strong reckons that despite the standout match of the weekend being screened live on television his players can still show off their own brand of football on the big stage.
“It will be a fantastic game,” he said. “The lads are looking forward to testing themselves against one of the best teams left in the Welsh Cup.
“We go into the game as underdogs which is fine by us as it takes the pressure off us a little.
“When you’re perceived as favourites the pressure to perform can sometimes work against you. It just means we can get to playing our style of football.
“Hopefully we can get a result and have people talking about Rhyl Football Club for the right reasons again.”
Strong’s only injury doubts are Will Thomas and Russell Courtney and he will be evaluating their progress before deciding on his match day squad.
The Rhyl supremo also issued a rallying cry to the club’s fans who he wants to see out in force at Belle Vue come the first whistle.
He added: “Our fans have many times become the 12th man for us in big games. I ask they do this again on Saturday and help push the lads on to victory.”
If Rhyl don’t manage to pull off a shock tomorrow then Huws Gray Alliance rivals Buckley Town could spring the surprise of the fourth-round when they host Premier outfit Bala Town.
It’s been an excellent season so far for Buckley, second in the Alliance behind gap Connahs Quay and scorers of 13 goals in the previous three rounds of the cup.
And not only does the Globe Way side face Bala after easing past Llangefni Town 4-1 last Saturday, they do so knowing that star striker Michael Burke has committed himself to the club for the rest of the season.
Talk of a move to the Premier League was quashed by Burke this week following a hat-trick against Llangefni took his tally for the campaign to 15.
In the other last 16 match-ups, Premier leaders The New Saints will more than fancy their chances against Newport County while Flint Town United could provide Neath with a few scares.
Aberystwyth entertain Llandudno, AFC Porth go to Carmarthen Town, Prestatyn should have too much firepower for Cefn Druids and there is one all-Premier clash between Afan Lido and Airbus UK.
By David Williams
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