by Julie Kissick
THEY say a good leader shows others how to be the best version of themselves – leading by example as they do.
If you watch Kane Owen on a football pitch you’ll know exactly what kind of leader he is. It’s no fluke that his USW Men’s 1st side have won both league and cup this season.
A man of few words off the pitch, he’s a relentless contributor on it.
Owen covered every blade of Basford United’s 3G surface in Nottingham, as his side played out a gruelling 129 minutes of a match they won in the final seconds.
Cambrian and Clydach defender Joe Evans’ header spared USW penalties and sent opponents Hartpury out of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships in the most devastating fashion.
Four minutes from the end of extra-time and with the game still in deadlock, Barry Town United midfielder Clayton Green was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Penalties seemed a certainty, but USW were tenacious until the final whistle.
The nature of the game was no surprise to Owen, who never doubted that his side could and would be victorious.
“We go into every game feeling that we’re going to win it,” he said prior to the match.
The 24-year-old former Cardiff City Academy player was handed the captain’s armband this season, leading his side through it undefeated.
But the skipper was characteristically keen to applaud others following the cup success.
“The lads have been superb all season. We all never give up until the end and it showed with the last kick of the game.
“It’s been a pleasure captaining this great group this season and hopefully this is a start of a long period of success for the university.”
Them 6am starts all worth it in the end 🙌 https://t.co/8t0Ep8g7RU
— Kane Owen (@KaneOwen2) March 28, 2019
Owen plays for Welsh League Division 1 leaders Penybont. They are currently nine points clear of nearest rivals Cambrian and Clydach, with two games in hand.
His player profile on the club website states that his ambition is ‘to win a title/cup’. Tick ✓ Tick ✓
