Bridgend Street host Taffs Well in one of the four Quarter-Final fixtures to be played in the Welsh Football League Cup this weekend, manager Craig Dale speaks on his sides’ chances.
Last weekend, Bridgend Street started the year in convincing fashion, beating Caerleon 7-0.
“It was important to start the year off with a win in preparation for this match, after three weeks without a fixture. The score-line shows a hammering but Caerleron were the better team for the opening periods of the match, their keeper to be fair to him stopped it from being more.”
The clash will see many ex players of both sides come up against one another as a select few players have donned the colours of both sides.
Dale is under no illusions that Taffs Well due to their history in the competition are the favourites.
“Taffs Well are the clear favourites in this fixture, no doubt. They are the holders of this cup and have a good history in it, yes we have the home advantage where we expect a large boisterous crowd but they are also 2 divisions above us. They have quality all over the pitch but we know where their dangers lie as their whole front three are all ex Street players.”
Bridgend Street boast the 2nd best defence in Division Three but the Street manager believes that it has no bearing on the fixture this Saturday.
“We’re very proud of the current squad it’s one of the youngest that’s been assembled mixed in with the experienced players we’ve got a good blend and balance. I don’t think the defensive record has any bearing on Saturday’s game but we will need to be at our best to keep them out it’ll be a good test.”
When it comes to cup competitions, if a lower league team beats a side in a higher division then attention surrounds it, Dale believes if Street were to pull off a cupset, it would be for those who volunteer to the club.
“As I’ve mentioned we have a really young squad so it would be a great experience for them to progress to the semis but also great for the local community and committee members who put so much hard work in behind the scenes.
In terms of absentees for the fixture, a few miss out with niggling injuries whilst some have work commitments.
“We go into the fixture with a few missing through injury and work commitments, we’ve not had much luck on that front this season.”
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