A SWEET 16 will help Bala Town through what promises to be a testing second season at the top table of Welsh football.
After successfully qualifying to form part of the new Welsh Premier League’s super 12 last season, Colin Caton’s men begin the 2010-11 campaign on Sunday at Port Talbot Town (2.30pm).
Bala tackled last season with a squad of some 19 players, but Caton is utilising a smaller squad for the challenges ahead.
“I think the signings are good – we are hoping to get one or two in before the August 31 deadline,” said Caton on the summer transfer activity at Maes Tegid.
“We are going to go with 16 this season, a small squad.
“We are going to use a few of the younger lads.”
Caton has bolstered his squad in all positions over the summer.
The big summer signing is the acquisition of Welsh international midfielder and former Wrexham favourite Mark Jones, while at the back Bala have been boosted by the signing of ex-Football League performer Shaun Kelly.
Up front new signing Chris Mason has done well with seven goals in eight pre-season friendlies, including doubles versus a Wrexham Select XI and Llansantffraid.
However, with a small squad at his disposal Caton is keen to give a number of the club’s younger performers a crack of the whip.
Sion Dolben Hughes, Welsh schools international Gwydion Ifan, Jason Wood and Iwan Roberts can possibly expect to figure in Bala Town colours over the coming months.
If it was a great achievement to retain their status in the Welsh Premier last time out, Caton admits the new campaign is going to be far tougher for Bala.
Last season’s top-two of The New Saints and Llanelli are expected to figure prominently again, while Neath will be strong in light of the signing of Lee Trundle and Kristian O’Leary.
Add to the mix European heroes Bangor City, Port Talbot Town and Aberystwyth Town, and it promises to be a tough campaign.
Caton, who is targeting a top-10 finish this time around, said: “We will be having a go.
“I would say that it is twice as difficult this time around.
“We have got to be at the races every game – it is just a massive test.”
He added: “But we are all looking forward to it.
“We are all a bit wary and we know how hard it is going to be.
“Since I have been at Bala, we have worked very hard to be where we are and we are not going to stop working hard now.
“It’s a fairytale and we are still living the dream!”
Owain Roberts is suspended for the first three matches of the season, so Bala will take a 15-man squad for the first match at Port Talbot Town.
Sion Dolben may be added to the squad.