Gwalia United will welcome Oxford to the Newport Stadium on Sunday, and head coach James Thomas has emphasised the importance of ambition, stating, “You’ve always got to look up.” Following a good victory over Cheltenham, with Manon Pearce scoring a brace, Gwalia have had a couple of weeks without matches, but morale within the squad remains high.
“The players have worked hard over the past few weeks,” said Thomas. “Results and performances naturally boost positivity. The buzz around the group is fantastic. It’s an exciting time.”
At Christmas, Gwalia United were in a precarious position, albeit with games in hand following a string of weather-affected postponements, however, as March begins, they have built a four-point cushion above the drop zone. “When we took over, the league position wasn’t where we wanted it to be,” Thomas admitted. “We knew we had to make changes. I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made in such a short time. We’ve raised our expectations, and while I don’t know exactly where our ceiling is, I know it’s higher than where we are now.”
With the chance to build on their recent league success, Thomas remains confident that his side can put in a strong performance against one of the division’s top teams.
“Oxford are a very good side, and I’m fully aware of the challenges ahead,” he said. “But I believe we’re well-prepared to give a strong account of ourselves on Sunday.”
