Dale says semi final reward for years of improvement
Bridgend Street manager Craig Dale has said this week’s League Cup semi final with Division One Haverfordwest County is the reward for years of improvement both on and off the pitch at the Splott based club.
Dale knows his side are clearly the unfancied team at this stage of the competition, but have it within them to make the final. Heading into the match, the manager shared his pride at reaching this stage of the competition, saying;
“When you look at Haverfordwest, Llanelli and Caerau, it is fair to say that Bridgend Street are just not as established at this level of football in Wales. For us now to be saying we are in the mix with these clubs is testament to the improvement of the club on and off the field in the last few seasons.”
Indeed, Street have already knocked out cup holders Taffs Well in the previous round, and took League One title challengers Goytre to a Welsh Cup penalty shoot out. Dale said,
“Our league form just hasn’t been what we want this season. Some have said the cup has been a distraction, I disagree. We just haven’t been as clinical in front of goal as we’ve needed to be.”
“On our day we can be a match for anyone, as we proved in the previous round against Taffs Well and in the Goytre game. We’ll respect Haverfordwest, but we don’t fear anyone.”
Dale, along with others on the coaching staff, saw the Blues first hand just a few weeks back, as they lost 2-0 to Barry Town at Jenner Park. Dale said;
“They were very well organised, fit and disciplined, as you’d expect from a division one team. We know we’ll have to be at our very best and hope they aren’t if we are going to get a result.”
The game kicks off this Tuesday evening at 7:30pm at Bridgend Street.
