Robins hope momentum can give them return to Europe

After an up and down start to the campaign, the Robins turned things around in the second half of the season losing just once on their way to securing seventh and a play off spot.

They will now face fourth placed Penybont in South Wales on Sunday and Hughes believes momentum could be key.

He also hopes that his side could capitalise on an experience in the Penybont side, who have surprised everyone this year to finish behind Connah’s Quay, TNS and Bala.

He said: “We’re aware they have got good players, but they’re going to have to play well to beat us because we’ve got good players too.

“We’ve got the momentum which we’re hoping is a good thing and can make the difference. Some are saying we’re underdogs and if we are so be it.

“It could be the last game of the season so we’ll give it everything we’ve got. We know we can hurt them and it’ll be able who can settle early and impose themselves on the game.

“Their manager has come out this week and said they are an inexperienced side, and that might help us on the day.

“We’ve got players who have been here before, we’ve been in semi-finals before and we will try and exploit any nervousness from them and ruffle any feathers.

“If we do come up short it won’t be for the want of trying.”

The Robins fine second half of the season came to an abrupt end last weekend as they lost 4-0 at home to Mid Wales rivals Aberystwyth Town.

Hughes, whose side had won seven and lost two in the second half of the season before Saturday insisted the score line flattered the Seasiders and it hasn’t dented any confidence.

“We made eight changes in total and had a lot of key players on the sidelines, and because of what we’ve done in the second phase we had earned the right to do that,” added the Newtown boss.

“It was still a strong side, and we just conceded some silly goals and silly times, there were some errors in there from us, and it wasn’t a 4-0 game.

“We had four under 19 lads on the pitch at the end which is good. There was no big inquest after because it hasn’t dented morale at all.

“We’ve done great in this second phase of the season. Our aim was seventh, we were nine points behind and we achieved it with one game to go.

“We rested players on Saturday and despite the scoreline confident is up, it has done nothing to impact that.”

The Robins have lost out in the play offs on a few occasions in the past, however they were victorious back in 2015 when they overcame Port Talbot and Aberystwyth to reach the Europa League qualifiers.

They then went on to beat Matlese giants Valetta before bowing out to FC Copenhagen in the second round.

Hughes and his players will be hoping for another summer adventure this year, but the Robins boss insisted he would be naïve to look past the semi final.

“We have to acknowledge they have finished fourth and if it wasn’t for Connah’s Quay they would be team of the season, and Rhys Griffiths manager of the season,” added Hughes.

“We’re not naïve or daft enough to look ahead and think we’re not coming up against a good team with a very good manager.”