PURE SWANSEA: ‘It speaks volumes’: the defence giving the division’s top scorers licence to attack

Pure Swansea are the top scorers in the Novira Cymru South with 22 goals, and the platform for that has been built at the other end.

Jack Midwinter’s newly promoted side have conceded five goals in seven league games, four of them in one afternoon against Pontypridd United. Five clean sheets from seven have given the leaders a base from which the front line can go and win games.

The unit is organised by captain Jordan Hughes from the middle of the pitch and driven from the back by the commanding Ollie Roberts, both in their ninth year at the club, and it goes into Saturday’s visit of Caerphilly Athletic to Swansea Bay Sports Park (2.30pm) fresh from a goalless draw at second-placed Aberystwyth Town.

Midwinter says the record speaks for itself. “When you think we conceded five goals in seven games and four of them were in one, I think it speaks volumes for the backline,” he said. “It probably wasn’t something that we were renowned for last season with the squad.”

Same players, better decisions

The manager says the personnel have barely changed from last season. What has changed is the consistency.

“The backline is the same players, more or less, than what we had last year,” he said. “I think it comes to us being more consistent in our decision-making out of possession, with our backline and what’s in front of it.

“Those boys are stepping up to the challenge of playing in the league above. When you don’t concede goals, you’ve always got a chance of winning the game.

“The top line that we have, if our backline can keep people out, our top line will definitely score goals at this level. It’s a good mix at the moment.”

Draper the presence behind Hughes and Roberts

Goalkeeper Kane Draper was in inspired form at Park Avenue, and Midwinter believes the summer arrival, Roberts at centre-half and Hughes in front of them feed off each other.

“Kane came in this year and he’s been great for us. He’s been strong in the last couple of games and really shown his quality,” he said. “Him, Ollie and Jordan as the three together have been excellent in the games they’ve played.

“I think Kane may give Jordan and Ollie some confidence that who’s behind them is going to make good stops and be a presence in goal. But equally, Kane’s comfortable knowing that the two lads in front of him won’t let easy chances through. When he is called into action, he knows he needs to be ready, because it’s going to be few and far between.”

Ingram setback, Wright to be assessed

There is a blow at right-back, where Dan Ingram’s return from the bench at Aberystwyth has not lasted.

“I brought Dan back, but unfortunately Dan has aggravated his injury again, so it’s a little bit of a check back for Dan,” Midwinter said.

“Danny Williams came off at half-time. He’ll be fine for the weekend. Morgan Wright also came off injured, so we’ll assess him on Thursday. Hopefully he’s ok for the game.”

‘They’ll be out for revenge’

Saturday’s visitors were beaten by Pure in last season’s Ardal South League Cup final, when the champions of the two Ardal South divisions met, and Midwinter expects a very different game.

“They’ll be out for revenge this weekend, obviously, for that,” he said. “They came up through the east side of the league, and we came up through the west. On the night it was our night and we were excellent. But both teams have made signings and have changed personnel and staff. It’ll be tough.

“Any team that turns up on the day, if you’re not at it, the other team will punish you. We’re going to make sure that we’re at it on the weekend, because you can’t give teams an extra chance to get a point on you. They’ll take it.”

The Welsh Cup exit to Trethomas and the draw at Aberystwyth have left Pure without a win in two, and Midwinter wants that put right.

“We’re looking forward to it. Hopefully we’ll be back to winning ways after the two results over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

‘Not ashamed to say we’re overachieving’

Midwinter has said before that his side have exceeded expectations, and repeated the message while insisting the table does not lie.

“I’m not ashamed to say that we’re overachieving at the moment, and where we are wasn’t probably expected in the summer. But equally, the lads are deserving of the position they sit in the league,” he said.

“Momentum is huge at this level. Momentum and confidence come hand in hand, so the boys are turning up and now they’re backing themselves to get results. The atmosphere in the dressing room has changed from almost being underdogs to being a team that have to go out there and perform and continue this good run.

“We’ve played seven games, but it’s a long old season. There’s going to be lots of ups and downs. We won’t overreact, we won’t dwell on it, but we’ll be ready for the next game when it comes.”