JUST seven days after trying to stop the million pound man, Bala Town will be taking on the best side in the Welsh pyramid system.
Defending champions and current Welsh Premier League leaders Bangor City are the visitors to Maes Tegid on Sunday (2.30pm) for a huge Gwynedd derby.
Nev Powell’s high-flyers currently have a four-point advantage over The New Saints in the race for the championship, while Bala proudly stand fifth and are guaranteed their highest ever Welsh Premier League finish.
Colin Caton’s side opened the second half of their campaign at The Gnoll on Sunday, but they were undone by the million pound man Lee Trundle as Neath ran out 2-0 winners to strengthen their own claims of securing a first Welsh Premier crown.
Asked if Lee Trundle was the difference between the sides on Sunday, team boss Caton said: “He was a bit, but we played really well.
“We had the better of the possession and we had the better of the chances, and he has punished us on two occasions.
“The standard (of the league) has improved massively.
“The managers are more technically aware now and it’s a game of cat and mouse.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s big Gwynedd derby, Caton said: “It should be a good game.
“We always welcome Bangor and it’s a good day for the club for attracting such a big team.”
Bala have pushed Bangor close twice in previous meetings this season, losing by the odd goal on both occasions.
There were close to 600 spectators at Maes Tegid in early October when a second half strike from Mark Smyth edged City to a 2-1 triumph, while in early December, there was an attendance in excess of 650 to see Bangor achieve an identical victory.
Rhys Darlington gave Bala a sixth minute lead, but a brace of goals from Les Davies saw Bangor through to yet another victory.
“We definitely should have got something,” added Caton.
“We’re creating chances... and we are competing with teams now.
“There’s a fine line between winning and losing on the day.”
The Bala manager has once again hailed the impact that ex-Welsh international Mark Jones is having on the side after the former Wrexham midfielder shrugged off a bout of flu to take his place in the starting line-up against Neath.
“With his first half performance, he was feeling a bit groggy.
“But he was outstanding in the second half.
“He is the best player in the league by a country mile.”
“There’s no easy fixture in the top-six you know, in any league around the world now,” added Caton
“We would rather be playing the big games in our league than fighting relegation.
“The domestic licence is important and it’s carried us through the last two years.”
Although Caton says the club has pushed its budget out somewhat for this season, he added: “Everything’s still with a business plan here and the people that run the club have a fantastic business attitude.
“We have got everything in place.”
Bala are expected to be at full strength on Sunday.