Bala’s incredible 12-match winning streak since the
mid-season split in the Welsh Premier League sees them on the cusp of European
qualification.
They saw off defeated Welsh Cup finalists Bangor City 4-2 in
the semi-finals of the Europa League play-off competition at the weekend, and
will need an equally impressive performance in the final to overcome The
Steelmen.
The Lakesiders’ secretary Ruth Crump hailed her side’s
remarkable run, but said that there is still much more work to do as the team
had “won nothing” yet.
She said: “We’ve won 12 on the bounce and it’s been a tremendous
effort by all involved. This match is huge to the club in every way. Financially
and everything it’s a dream come true.
“Winning is a brilliant habit and we’ve got to take this
forward, but we understand what’s involved. We underachieved in the first phase
but have turned it around. We’re not getting carried away yet though, and are not
even mentioning the word Europe just yet!”
Yet the prospect of such a huge prize cannot be ignored, and
should they triumph on the weekend Ms Crump admitted she would love to draw Swansea
City after they sealed their own place there by lifting this year’s Capital One
Cup.
“It would be special for me,” she added. “My aunt lived in
the Mumbles and I spent many summers there growing up. Drawing a Premiership
club would be huge for anyone.”
Port Talbot Town reached the final courtesy of a 1-0 win
over Carmarthen Town last weekend in the other semi-final thanks to a David
Brooks goal.
The Steelmen have had a successful time under the guidance
of former Cardiff City star Scott Young this term, and their superior league
position means they will have home advantage in the fight for a place in
Europe.
They will be hoping that will mean a continuation of the
league form in the first phase where Bala won 2-0 at Maes Tegid in October, but
they won the reverse fixture at the GenQuip 2-0 in January.
The semi-final win over Carmarthen was watched by a rowdy
home support, and chairman Andrew Edwards has called for a repeat this weekend
as his side aim to be the second from the area to qualify for Europe this term
after The Jacks.
He said: “The support leading up to, and during the
[Carmarthen] game was absolutely magnificent, and it was great to see a good
turn-out for such a crucial match.
“Now that we’re just one result away from qualifying for
Europe, I ask football fans in the area [to] give us the same backing once
again. European qualification would be a major achievement for the club, and
one that the whole town can be proud of.”
League secretary Gwyn Derfel congratulated both clubs on
reaching this stage, and cited Bala’s run to the final as a great incentive for teams in the Conference after the mid-season split to keep fighting to the conclusion as the team finishing top qualifies for the end-of-season event.
He said: “I hope that the Lakesiders’ charge to the final
will give great confidence to any team which finds itself in the bottom six of
the Welsh Premier League [after the mid-season split] next season.”
The huge occasion kicks off at Port Talbot’s GenQuip Stadium
this Saturday at 3pm.
0 comments:
Post a Comment