EMOTIONS will run high for Llay Welfare manager Mike Gadie as he takes his side to the brink of promotion tomorrow.
Llay face Llanuwchllyn in the Ardal League play-off final at Bala Town’s Maes Tegid ground with a place in what will be a highly competitive Cymru North next season the reward.
Llay’s place in tomorrow’s must-win match was only rubber-stamped this week after the club successfully appealed the Football Association of Wales’ original decision to refuse them a tier two licence.
“It’s been very touch and go whether we’d be playing tomorrow but the club’s appeal was successful,” said Gadie, who will take charge for the final time tomorrow before stepping down to an assistant manager’s role next season.
“The news came through on Tuesday and there was a real buzz among the lads during training that night.
“But they deserve to be in the final with the chance to play in Cymru North next season.
“We’re all looking forward to the game and we hope to have a good following at Bala.”
Tomorrow’s final kicks off at 12.30pm so it doesn’t clash with the FA Cup final at Wembley although it did mean club chairman Keiron Fox - a Manchester United fan - had to give up his Wembley ticket so he can take his seat at Bala.
As for Gadie, who will be new boss Mike Price’s right-hand man next season, he’s aiming to go out on a high.
He said: “It’s going to be an emotional day.
“I took over seven or eight years ago and I’ve been involved with Llay since I was 16 and this has been a great season with a team of players who don’t get paid competing against teams who do.
“To finish the season runners-up and just two points behind Flint Mountain says it all about the hard work we’ve all put in.
“The players deserve a lot of credit but unfortunately some are going to miss out.
“That’s the disappointing part of it for me, having to leave players out but every one of our 22-man squad have played their part this season.
“Now we just want that big effort for what is a massive game for the club.”
Llay top scorers Scott Swords and Jon Collo, who has eight goals and eight assists to his name this season, will be key players in the big play-off.
As for Llanuwchllyn, Gadie (pictured right) added: “They’ve had a great finish to the season and I know their manager Sion - he’s a good manager and they’ll be up for it tomorrow.”
Despite finishing third in the North East League table, Llanuwchllyn get the chance to compete after second-placed Bow Street withdrew their tier two application.
Meilir Williams is the man Llay must look out for after scoring 28 goals this season while former Cefn Druids’ players Mike Pritchard and Warren Aykroyd-Duckett will also be in the Llanuwchllyn line-up.
The other final taking place at Bala is in the FAW Reserves North Cup tonight.
The New Saints, who finished runners-up to Connah’s Quay Nomads in the league, face Llandudno on the back of a 7-1 midweek win at Holywell Town.
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