Preece wants players to have a go at TNS

ANDY Preece has said he wants his side to 'have a go' at The New Saints in their televised game on Saturday and see if they can give themselves a chance at the Welsh Premier title.

The Airbus UK Broughton boss believes his side's unexpectedly high position means there is no reason they shouldn't have a go at a major upset.

Before the start of the season Airbus were 20/1 with the bookmakers for the Welsh Premier crown, but it is now a realistic prospect.

"This is an interesting part of the season," Preece told the Flintshire Chronicle. "We are still learning about this type of league but every game is a six-pointer as you are taking points off your rivals. 

"When Bangor won the league they massively overachieved with what they had and I think it would be the same with us.

"But I am saying to my players and I'm sure the other managers are saying to theirs that now we are in this position in the top conference, why not have a go?

"You never know what it might lead to."

Airbus play TNS at home on S4C's Sgorio on Saturday (5.15pm) having beaten the league leaders at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium once already this season, but for Preece that counts for little.

"TNS are a great side and they are still the favourites to win the league," he said. "In order to beat them we have to have a really good day and catch them on a bad day. It's rare, but sometimes it happens."

Whatever happens, the Wingmakers are making a strong case for playing European football next season.

They are still in the Welsh Cup, they are in the Welsh Premier title hunt and they could win the play-off for the Europa League place if they don't win the title or finish second.

But Preece will not allow himself to think about the prospect of taking Airbus into the rarified air of European competition just yet.

"We must not get ahead of ourselves," he said. "There are a lot of games still to play. We have to focus on winning those games and finishing as high as we can."