CONNAH’S QUAY might have been nudged out of second place in the league after their defeat to Cefn Druids last Friday, but they are worthy favourites to land the Welsh Cup on Sunday, against Aberystwyth Town, live on S4C.

Yes, manager Andy Morrison won’t be happy with the manner of that loss, but Cefn Druids wanted it more, and you can’t say that very often about Connah’s Quay since Andy Morrison took over.

With Bangor City failing to get the domestic licence, Connah’s Quay are in Europe already, but they will want to end the season with a bang. They rested some players in their last game, but everyone will return for this historic occasion.

Ryan Wignall and Declan Poole will surely start, and their pace will cause Aberystwyth problems. James Owen will probably come in for the suspended Callum Morris, who worryingly completely lost his head and got sent off against Cefn Druids. Callum will take responsibility for his actions, I know, but what a game to miss. Finals do not come around often for players and he will be hurting, so I’m not going to say any more about the incident – but Quay will miss his goals.

Twenty years have gone by since their last Welsh Cup final so I think they will be fired up and at their best on the big stage. On a normal day, you would back Connah’s Quay against Aberystwyth, but this is a cup final and you have to consider the history and experience of Aberystwyth Town manager Nev Powell, and his love affair with the Welsh Cup. At one stage I thought they were married!

With him still living in Flintshire, he will be well aware of the hype and expectation surrounding the Nomads, but he’ll have a trick up his sleeve. He’ll still be quietly confident of a romantic ending to his first season at Aber.

Winning the Welsh Cup means the world to Nev, and maybe this time even more, seeing as his side are playing against his former club. However, I’m tipping Connah’s Quay to edge it by the odd goal, maybe after extra time – 3-2, I’d say.

Winning one game in 11 since the departure of Dean Keates was never going to be enough for Wrexham to secure a play-off place.

Was Dean to blame? No.

Everyone needs to take some responsibility, but Dean left the club in a great position, where Wrexham should’ve secured a top seven spot. But no one was man enough to stand their ground, and pointing fingers is sour grapes. Try blaming 19 draws and not enough goals.

Anyway, let’s look forward – Wrexham have appointed Sam Ricketts as their new manager. I just want to put this on record now: this will be the best signing that Wrexham will have made for years.

Yes, he has no managerial experience, but Sam has been involved behind the scenes in the success at Wolves this season. I’m hearing that he blew everyone away, including FAW technical director Osian Roberts, with his vision and ideas in his recent presentation that earned him his place on the UEFA Pro Licence.

Wrexham will only go one way with Sam. I can only predict success and anticipation over what the future holds, if they can secure his appointment. Watch this space.

We will not see until next season how much of a huge loss Bangor City will be to the Welsh Premier – barring they win their proposed legal appeal.

I was 15 when I was involved with the Citizens and I’ve had a soft spot for them ever since. It’s hard to take what’s gone on, but they’ve known the rules about licensing for years and they should have got their house in order. I just hope they can bounce back.

Malcolm Allen is part of the Sgorio commentary team. S4C’s Sgorio will show live coverage of the JD Welsh Cup Final, between Aberystwyth Town and Connah’s Quay, from 2.15pm on Sunday. Catch the JD Welsh Premier League Europa League play-offs over the coming week on Sgorio and Mwy o Sgorio (Wednesday nights, 6.30pm) on S4C and s4c.cymru.