by Tom Pritchard & Ethan Harris
UNIVERSITY of South Wales head coach Lee Kendall spoke of his pride in the team, after a 127th minute goal from Joe Evans saw them lift the BUCS Championship in Nottingham.
The win means the team have completed a league and cup double for the season, having won the Premier South title unbeaten.
Summing up his emotions, he said: “I’m delighted. I’m delighted for my players, my staff and my boss (Steve Savage).”
“We’ve worked really hard this year. Its been a tough year, we’ve changed our programme, the boys have been in first thing in the morning three days a week.
“They’ve really shown that they’ve got the work ethic and the need to win trophies.”
The side’s league form was something which Kendall drew confidence from.
“We won the league undefeated and we felt we could cause teams problems.
“We beat a really strong team (Cardiff Metropolitan) in the semi-final, and we knew we’d have a chance against Hartpury because we’d beaten them previously.”
Kendall was delighted with the way that his team were able to adapt to different set-ups throughout the season.
“With my team and the players that we’ve got, we’re flexible.
“We knew we’d have to adapt in game, and it proved across the season. We didn’t play one formation for 90 minutes in any of the games!”
The team have been renowned for scoring late goals in this campaign, and Joe Evans’ late header was another example.
“We always knew that if we could keep it at 0-0, we’d be in with a chance.”
In what is his first year with USW, the 38-year-old, who also coaches Pontypridd Town, thanked those who enabled him to imprint his philosophy.
“I’d like to put on record the support that the university have given us this season; the faculty have been unbelievable in their support.
“So this is for them, as well.”
(Featured image: Callum Ellis)
