PURE SWANSEA: ‘They’re going to want to beat me’: Copp relishes Pontardawe reunion

Kyle Copp says his old Pontardawe Town team-mates “are going to want to beat me” on Friday night, and the feeling is entirely mutual.

The striker, who scored 32 goals for the visitors last season, faces his former club for the first time since crossing to Sketty Lane, as league leaders Pure Swansea host Pontardawe at Swansea Bay Sports Park (7.30pm kick-off).

“I’ve got the utmost respect [for Pontardawe],” said Copp. “I know their squad hasn’t changed much since last season, so I know a lot of the boys personally and we had a great time together.

“Ultimately when it comes down to 90 minutes on Friday, they’re going to want to beat me, and I’m going to want to beat [them] just as much.

“We’ve both got jobs to do come Friday, and my job is to win a game for Pure and their job is to win for Ponty, so I’ll be trying my best to get the three points just as they will.”

‘The sound of the net keeps me going’

Copp arrives with three goals in his last two games, a run that followed a frustrating opening in front of goal.

“I just love scoring goals to be honest, the sound of the net, that is something that keeps me going,” he said.

“It was a little bit frustrating for myself at the start of the season when the boys were doing well and creating good opportunities for me. I wasn’t scoring or showing what I’m about, but everyone stuck by me because I was working hard.

“Once you work hard, a lot more rewards come, and thankfully I’ve been able to start scoring as of late, and fingers crossed that continues.

“I’m very fortunate I’ve got a lot of close friends that were already at the club, and I had a great season last year. I’m enjoying being around the new boys and building new connections and relationships, and they’re keeping me young and fresh.”

The mentor at nearly 30

The former Swansea City academy man sees a second job in the squad beyond scoring, as the experienced head among a young side.

“I’m quite fortunate to have played at a higher level. We’ve got players who I think could potentially [play there]. They’re young enough and good enough to go on as far as they can go, it’s just trying to be there as a mentor.

“Jack’s the gaffer and we’ve got Gary, who’s great, but I’m nearly 30 years old now, so it’s nice to put my arm around a couple of youngsters and tell them what’s right and what’s wrong.

“I’m still learning myself and the youngsters keep you honest. Ultimately, I’m there to help them become better footballers and they’re there to make me a better footballer too.

“There’s no one really standing out, there’s no one real main player, we’re all digging together. In this team it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, if you don’t work hard for us then you’re not going to play.”

‘Sky’s the limit, as they say’

The unbeaten leaders sit top going into the weekend, but Copp says where the season could end up is staying in-house.

“It’s a great start and we don’t want to get carried away. I don’t want to talk too much of where we can go,” he said.

“We know in a close circle where we want to be and where we feel we need to go, but I don’t think we want to share that with anyone just yet, especially after the start that we’ve had.

“As long as we keep working hard and we’re honest with ourselves and we show up every weekend, then the sky’s the limit, as they say.”