HUW GRIFFITHS knows what to expect when Cefn Druids come face-to-face with Bala Town tonight.

But that’s only half the battle with Griffiths insisting that the hardest part is stopping Colin Caton’s impressive outfit.

The Lakesiders were surprisingly beaten 3-2 by Aberystwyth Town last time out, but are just three points adrift of reigning champions The New Saints.

Griffiths, who saw Tuesday’s Newfa Cup clash with Ruthin abandoned due to fog, pictured, said: “They’ve got quality all over the pitch with the money they’ve spent. They are one of the giants of Welsh football and they are packed full of players who can win games in most positions.

“There ambition is to win the title and that’s no surprise given the players they’ve got and they’ve been on.”

Griffiths, who will be without suspended defender Aaron Simpson, isn’t throwing in the towel before a ball has been kicked, however, continuing: “It will be a tough game, but it’s a home game for us and we’ve beaten Bala before.

“Generally they have been quite tight games between the two teams. They beat us with the last kick of the game the last time we played.”

Griffiths’ opposite number, Caton, meanwhile, knows his Bala side can improve on a record of eight wins and two draws from 15 games.

“We can’t complain and we are three points off the top,” said Caton. “But we can be better and that’s the frustrating thing.

“It’s important we are competing at the top.”

One area Caton wants fourth placed to improve is in defence, the Lakesiders shipping 23 goals this term, just three less than rock-bottom Llandudno.

Referencing the 3-2 defeat to Aberystwyth, Caton said: “We work so hard in training to work on our defending. It was just poor.”

Chris Marriott knows The New Saints have to match Cardiff Met’s intensity if they are to return to winning ways.

The former Wrexham youngster was part of the Saints team that was thumped 4-1 by the men from the capital back in September.

And while Saints were stunned 2-1 by Cambrian & Clydach in the Welsh Premier League Cup semi-finals last week, Cardiff Met overcame Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-0 to book their place in the final.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash, Marriott said: “The beauty of football is that the games come thick and fast and we’ve got to put things right.

“It’s a massive game. They will fancy it against us after the confidence boost from the last time we played them.

“They will be really up for it and we’ve got to match them, and be better on the ball than them as well.”

Cardiff Met boss Christian Edwards hopes his side can start to put together a consistent run of results.

While the Archers have beaten TNS and reached the final of the League Cup, they’ve also lost at home to basement outfit Llandudno.

“We never set out to perform badly,” said Edwards. “We’ve been a little bit inconsistent and the rub of the green hasn’t gone our way at times, but you have to earn your luck, which we probably haven’t done.”

Third placed Barry Town United will look to key in touch with the top two by beating Newtown in-front of the television cameras tomorrow evening.

Nev Powell’s high-flying Aberystwyth Town outfit will be aiming to further strengthen their top six claims with a home success over Carmarthen this evening, while Caernarfon are on the road tomorrow as they visit Llanelli.