Interview: Caton expecting WPL standards in Semi Final clash

Bala Town have the chance to make history on Saturday night.

Once a lowly feeder league club based in a Gwynedd Town of just 2,000 people, they are now arguably the strongest semi pro side in the Welsh Premier League.

But for all of their recent achievements, they have never reached the Welsh Cup final – now, veteran boss Colin Caton has the chance to change that.

Y Clwb Pel Droed spoke to the Bala Town manager ahead of what could be a historic day for the club.

Caton: “I’m really looking forward to the semi final, it’s great for everyone connected with the club to be looking forward to a Welsh cup semi final, and a chance for the lads to play in front of the Sgorio camera.”

Bala are the higher ranking side of their semi final tie, and face a Caernarfon Town who were unable to defend their Huws Gray Alliance title – but Caton sees Caernarfon as a Welsh Premier team in their own right.

“Caernarfon are a Welsh Premier team with big resources – they should have been in the Welsh Premier this season as only an off field reason stopped them playing in the Welsh Premier League.

“Its going to be a tight game, Iwan has done well in his time at Caernarfon but will be really disappointed at finishing second, so will be looking for a win in the semi final to make up for that!”

Since the semi final draw, both sides have taken the time to do homework on one another. With a high level of publicity surrounding the game, Caton has attended games, and is well aware his counterpart Iwan Williams has visited Maes Tegid.

“Since the draw we have watched them a few times and it will be a really tough test, and we are aware they have watched us as well.”

The semi final is being billed as Bala’s best chance to reach the Welsh Cup final in years, having been defeated in three previous semi finals recently. But Caton is only focused on Saturday’s game – again reiterating the belief they face a Welsh Premier squad.

“We are fully focused on the game on Saturday, we take nothing for granted and we are aware it’s going to be a massive test against a Welsh premier squad.”

Bala go into the game with a fully fit squad for the first time this season, as the only injured player is Mark Connolly who is consigned to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“It’s the first time this season we have a fully fit squad , apart from Mark Connolly who is out for the season. Lee Hunt who came on on Saturday to score the winner and Nathan Burke who played his first 90mins for the U19s on Sunday are all fit to play.”

Colin Caton takes his side to Rhyl’s Corbett Sports Stadium for a 5:15pm kick off on Saturday April, live on S4C.

Photo Credit: NCM Media