Outsiders looking to create surprises

WHILE most pundits expect the final of the Welsh Cup to be a Bala Town versus The New Saints contest, Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay are confident that they can upset those ambitions when the semi-finals take place this afternoon.

Cymru Alliance League runners-up, Caernarfon, have already beaten Carmarthen Town and Rhyl in previous rounds, but they face their toughest task to date in the televised clash at the Corbett Stadium, Rhyl (5.15pm), against the Lakesiders, who are favourites to land a Europa League spot as runners-up in the top tier.

Canaries defender Nathan Craig is confident it will not be a stroll in the park for Colin Caton’s side.

“I think our squad is capable of competing in the Welsh Premier,” he said. “The label of underdogs does not faze us as we have had that in previous rounds. It helps because there is no pressure on us. We know how good we are and we will go out to enjoy the occasion but looking to win.”

Bala’s influential midfielder, Chris Venables, is adamant his side will not be complacent.

“Caernarfon will be extremely tough opponents as they have some great players who have had Welsh Premier experience,” he reflected. “We are only too well aware what they are capable of, but it would be great to get into the final and create history as Bala have never won the cup.”

While Bala await their first triumph, it has been wall-to-wall success for The New Saints, who have won the trophy for the past three seasons and six times in all. A fourth successive win would earn them a record treble-treble sweep of domestic titles, having already been crowned been league and League Cup winners.

Saints face a stern task against Connah’s Quay at the University Stadium, Bangor (2.30pm), as the Deeside club have enjoyed success against Craig Harrison’s side, including a 2-1 win 12 days’ ago.

Saints boss Craig Harrison saod: “I have a soft spot for the Welsh Cup which is a prestigious competition and my focus is on winning it again, not the trebletreble,” he said.

His rival boss, Andy Morrison, is confident he has the key to outwit his opponents.

“You have to ask questions of them in their defensive third,” he said. “Whenever we have pressed them defensively we have scored goals and had success.

“We’ll have a go at them, but we will have to be at our best and make ourselves hard to beat.”