BALA Town will be looking to lift themselves into a top two position in the JD Welsh Premier League when they travel to face Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Deeside Stadium tonight (Thursday, kick-off 7.45pm).

Just two points separate the second-placed Nomads and the Lakesiders in fourth position, and manager Colin Caton is determined to see his side maintain momentum in the second phase.

The Lakesiders celebrated Caton’s 600th match in charge with a 1-0 win at Barry Town United over two and half weeks ago, and the Bala boss has since welcomed back Kieran Smith and Rob Pearson from New Zealand.

With John Disney and Lewis Short also joining from Northern Premier League leaders Altrincham in January, Caton is looking for his squad to push on for European qualification.

"I’m really looking forward to it and seeing the players rise to the occasion," said Caton, who was the Welsh Premier League’s Manager of the Month for December.

"In Phase One we took no points off TNS, none off Bangor, and one off Connah’s Quay, and that needs to improve.

"Met and Druids are going to be very tough challenges too, but there will be great games every week, and I’m really looking forward to it.

"If we settle for where we are, we’ll never get better, so – despite the run we’ve been on in the last few weeks of Phase One – I want my players to be even better. That’s just the way I am."

He added: "I don’t think this year so far we’ve had our just rewards at times, because when we’ve played really well we haven’t always won, and when we’ve played okay or badly we’ve gotten beaten.

"We don’t seem to have had that luck this season, which is why I’m constantly pushing for more, because that’s what I want for this team."

The first phase matches between the Bala and Connah’s Quay ended in a 1-0 victory for the Nomads at Deeside in early September, and a 1-1 draw at Maes Tegid in November.

"All of our games against Bala are tight affairs," said Nomads boss Andy Morrison, whose side reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup by beating Porthmadog 3-1 last weekend.

"Personally, it’s a fixture I always look forward to with two very organised and strong teams, there is never anything in the games.

"We have a very good record in this fixture, winning three and drawing three of our last six encounters so we go into the game confident.

"We are very aware of the dangers that Bala will bring, and every one of our players will have to be at the top of their game if we are to continue our good run in this fixture."

The Nomads are still awaiting international clearance on new signing Rob Hughes, while Callum Morris is still out with an ankle injury.Bala will come to Deeside with three former Nomads all in contention for selection, with Les Davies, John Disney and Lewis Short all now part of the Lakesiders’ set-up.

The Lakesiders also have both Rob Pearson and the returning Kieran Smith also available for selection after returning from New Zealand.

The game, which will be streamed live by S4C on Facebook, and kicks off at 7.45pm..