Lawrence Looking for Spytty Park Victory

Will Play Reserves
By Chris O'Brien
January 24 2004

Lennie Lawrence is hoping his side can make amends for their 'disgraceful' FAW Premier Cup exit at the hands of Newport County last season, with victory at Spytty Park on Monday. However, even though the Bluebirds do not have a fixture this weekend, Lawrence will field a second-string Cardiff team.

Lawrence Hopes for Spytty Park Victory

Lennie Lawrence is determined to make up for City's 'disgraceful' cup exit to Newport County in the FAW Premier Cup last season, by winning against Cardiff's South Wales rivals on Monday night.

However, despite expecting a win from his players, the Cardiff City boss looks set to field another weak Premier Cup starting line-up even though the City have a free weekend following an early F.A Cup exit.

"We are looking to put in a much better performance than last year because we were a disgrace. All credit to Newport, after all they mullered us and they did well when it mattered." said Lawrence.

"I am not expecting us to lose to Newport.

"I was mightily unhappy to lose last year and I would be mightily unhappy to lose this year. "The squad will be largely the same as last time but the key is that they are a year older.

"They must realise that they have to shape up unless they want to finish up playing at places like Newport and Merthyr, so they have got to be up for it."

Lawrence went on to admit that if the Premier Cup gave access to a Uefa Cup or Intertoto Cup spot for the winners, he would field his first-strength team.

"If there was a European spot, I would definitely look at it differently.

"It would be a different story but I don't know how that would work with Welsh teams in the English set up and so on.

"There is serious money in it and I would like to win it."

City can expect another tough match at Spytty Park, and with Lawrence set to show disrespect to the competition by once again fielding an under-strength side, there is every chance of another upset. Newport supporters and fans will obviously be looking to get one over their local rivals, sitting four divisions above County, with success in the Premier Cup reaping huge financial rewards for the Dr Martens League outfit.

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