Disappointment at Welshpool but The Daffs go marching on as Clake eyes progression

After losing out in an early top of the table clash in the Mid Wales League, Llanidloes Town manager Hugh Clarke remained extremely positive about The Daffs impressive start to the season.

A 2-0 loss away to their Montgomeryshire neighbours may have given Clarke cause for concern, but at this early stage he felt it will only prove another harsh lesson for his young side, who are trying their best to re-establish themselves as a team to be feared at the sharp end of the Mid Wales League.

“There wasn’t much in it to be honest, and it really could’ve gone either way. The lads played well and I was fairly happy with the performance. We gave it everything in the second half, but a few things didn’t go our way which was the difference in the end” said Clarke

With almost two years in charge at Llanidloes Town, the ex Rhayader, Caersws and Newtown legend can see some really positive signs at Victoria Avenue this season.

“The lads have come on leaps and bounds in the last two years, and even though we are young team, they are starting to realise what it takes to win on a regular basis.

We were a bit weary in the past, but its all about being streetwise at this level and doing the right things in games in order to get the points” he added.

With a lot of young players starting to show more consistency this year it really bodes well in The Daffs search to return to higher levels of the Welsh football pyramid.

When asked on his goals for a successful season, Hugh was realistic with his expectations, but massively ambitious with it. Its seems to be a very common opinion from most teams on the openness of Mid Wales league this year, but most will feel they have as good a chance as any if they continue to perform.

“We finished 5th last year, and you are always looking for progression” said Clarke.

“We have got the fittest team in the league in my view, and the lads are starting to mature and don’t mind being told a few home truths. If you’re not putting it in, and doing it on the pitch and in training then your out of the side simple as that”

“We have got no big time Charlie’s and its all about the team. If you had told me this is where we would be at this stage then I would of taken that, and if we are there or thereabouts in the new year then of course we will give a real good go”

Just to show the standard of the teams this year, its doesn’t get any easier for Llanidloes this weekend. The Daffs travel to Llanifair United, fresh from their own Mid-Week victory over Welshpool In the Montgomeryshire cup.