BALA Town manager Colin Caton says that this season could prove to be the toughest Welsh Premier League campaign yet, as they prepare to kick-off their season away at Newtown on Saturday.

The Lakesiders lost their final pre-season match at Skelmersdale, but after pre-season wins against Gresford, Caernarfon, Colwyn Bay and South Liverpool, Caton will be keen for his side to make a positive start to the new season at Latham Park this weekend.

After finishing runners-up to The New Saints for the second season running, the Lakesiders will also be heartened by two very committed performances against Swedish giants AIK in the Europa League - although it has been a long pre-season.

“Pre-season started on 11 May for us, so we’ve not really had a break,” said Caton.

“We’ll keep going and with two training sessions this week, we’ll make sure we’re ready to go at Newtown this Saturday.

“Their manager Chris Hughes had made some good additions to his squad and it will be a difficult test to start with, but we’ll make sure that we are up for it.

“To run TNS so close last season was good for Welsh Premier League football, and it has raised the profile of Bala Town. We have been the best part-time team in Wales for two years running, and previously we have not been in a position to attract players such as Chris Venables.

“It’s the strongest the league has been, with Connah’s Quay a massive strength. Llandudno too have done exceptionally well, and there are a lot of unknown quantities, with new blood in the league.

“It is going to be difficult, and I can’t name who will be the top six and bottom six next season - but we’ll be looking to push on and make sure we are up there.”

Bala Town have strengthened this summer by signing Welsh Premier Golden Boot Chris Venables and defender Stuart Jones from Aberystwyth Town, midfielder Jamie Crowther from Connah’s Quay, and right back Lee Jones from Airbus UK Broughton.

This week, the Lakesiders have also added to their squad by signing striker Phil Marsh, goalkeeper Alex Lynch, defender Tom Quinn and midfielder Ryan Edwards.Meanwhile Newtown manager Chris Hughes says he is relishing the start of the new campaign, but he also admits that getting into the top six will be the toughest ask for years."It will be tough for everyone this season, because teams have spent well like Bangor, Connah's Quay and Bala," said the Newtown manager."There are the other clubs as well, you look at Cardiff Met, they are a full time outfit and they are not going to be a soft touch, and could push for the top six."So you have to look at the other sides, and it will be a tough ask, but that is what we are now aiming for."With no European commitments this year, the Robins will be hoping that they can benefit from having had a solid break before their pre-season started."We have had that rest, but if you look at Bala who come here Saturday, they have been back in training for a while now, and will be bang up to speed," he said."Colin Caton has done a great job with them in Europe, and they have had probably six or seven weeks more than us in pre-season. But we've had that break now, and we will be ready come tomorrow."