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FAW Final Preview
FAW Final Preview
Monday, 14th May 2001 00:00

FAW Final Preview

Swansea City Vs. Wrexham - FAW Premier Cup Final
Monsday 14.05.2001
Vetch Field
K.O 6:55pm live on BBC2 Wales
Visit our opponents at: Robins Online
Team News by Gareth Vincent EP.

Nick Cusack believes victory in tonight's FAW Premier Cup final would begin the healing process for Swansea City fans after the club's painful Second Division campaign.

And the Swansea skipper says success against Wrexham at Vetch Field would be a first step on the long road back to Division Two.

"It's been a very disappointing season and basically we're looking forward to the next one," admitted Cusack.

"But lifting the Premier Cup would give us a boost and would be a step in the right direction. "Obviously the league was our main priority this year and I don't expect anybody in Swansea to feel ecstatic if we do win, but we still feel it's well worth going for. "All we can do is try to win and in a small way make amends for relegation."

But John Hollins's side must pass a tough test if they are to take the trophy and £100,000 prize money for the first time. They must overcome Brian Flynn's Wrexham, current holders and winners three times in the competition's four-year history.

The North Walians have already beaten Swansea twice this season on their way to a 10th place finish in Division Two. "Wrexham have got some good players and a good manager and you only have to look at their league position to know they start as favourites," said Cusack.

"But it's nice for us that the game is at the Vetch where we should get a sizeable crowd.

"It may not be the FA Cup, but it's a prestigious trophy in Wales and it's a cup final after all. "Hopefully, our fans can make a lot of noise and create an intimidating atmosphere to help our cause."

Swansea will not be helped by an end-of-season injury crisis which could see 17 players ruled out. Striker Walter Boyd is the latest name on the injured list after suffering a calf strain in the semi-final second leg against Merthyr.

Nicolas Fabiano is suspended after his red card in the same game, but compatriot David Romo is back from a training camp with the French Olympic squad.

"We may have to turn to the youngsters again but they have never let us down before," said Hollins.

Tickets for tonight's match have been cut to £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, while under-16s can stand on the East Terrace for only £1.

League Positions
Pos
-
Pld
PTS
10th D2
Wrexham
46
63
23rd D2
Swansea
46
37
Recent Form
-
SEQUENCE
Swansea
DLLLWDWW
Wrexham
DWLWDWLW
Team Prediction
SWANSEA
WREXHAM
Freestone Howard Todd Bound De-Vulgt Roberts Mumford Romo J Price Verschave Savarese

Dearden Roche McGregor Carey Hardy Ferguson Williams Gibson Thomas Faulconbridge Trudle

Score Prediction

Swans 1 Wrexham 2

Wrexham Directory
One 2 Watch : Darren Ferguson

Darren has been battling for most of his career to emerge from the shadows of his illustrious father Sir Alex - and at Wrexham the creative midfielder seems to be finally blossoming. Ferguson jnr is now one of the experienced heads in a young Robins side. It was quite a coup when Wrexham persuaded Darren to join the playing staff on a short-term contract at the beginning of the 1999/2000 season.

His short passing game has meant he has slotted in easily into the Robins midfield and is the orchestrator of many of Wrexham's better moves. Wrexham struggled to find the cash to tie him to a long-erm deal for much of his first season at the club but eventually both clubs agreed to prolong his stay in North Wales and he signed a three-year contract with the club in March 2000.

Darren has shown that he can perform against the best during his brief spell at Wrexham, scoring the first goal and setting up the winner in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Premiership side Middlesbrough at the Racecourse in 1999/2000.

Photo: Action Images



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