WITH the Arctic weather conditions resulting in the cancellation of football fixtures across mid and north Wales last weekend, Bala Town’s Rob Pearson has had to adjust to the freezing temperatures after spending a year and a half out in New Zealand.

It’s been three weeks since the talented 27 year-old midfielder rejoined the Lakesiders, but he admitted that he has been feeling the cold as much as anyone.

“It’s cold, but it’s great to be back at Bala,” said the former Liverpool and Wrexham Youth teamer, who represented Stirling University before initially joining the Lakesiders in August 2014.

Pearson left Bala in March 2016 to sign for ASB Premiership side Tasman United, after making 59 starts for the Lakesiders, scoring once and appearing in Bala’s Europa League match against FC Differdange 03.

He won Players’ Player and Manager’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2014/15 season, and his return is a massive boost to the Lakesiders for the second phase of the season.

“As soon as I had made the decision to come back, I got in contact with Colin (Caton), and there was only one place I wanted to play, after having such a good time playing here before I left. I’ve really enjoyed being back.”

There have been quite a few changes at the Maes Tegid club, including the new 3G pitch, and new faces in the dressing room, but he says that the team has made him feel back at home.

“The lads have been fantastic,” he said. “Obviously there were some familiar faces, which was good, and everyone who has signed since I left were brilliant and very welcoming.

“It was like I’d never been away really, it has taken no time to settle in.”

He added: “I think the new 3G pitch is great. I have to say that I did enjoy the mud at Maes Tegid at times, but the 3G is definitely an improvement.”

Just a few days after touching back down in the UK, Pearson came straight into the starting side to face Connah’s Quay, and he kept his place in the back-to-back 1-0 wins against Cefn Druids and Cardiff Met.

“I was really happy to play in those games, and to get into the side, especially considering the quality of players we have in the squad,” he said.

“I think I’ve done okay so far, but there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement. The intensity, speed and physicality of the Welsh Premier League is a lot higher than New Zealand, so I need to get used to that.

“I actually think the League has improved since I left. Obviously now the split has happened each game is a real battle, and in each of the games there hasn’t been much between the teams. Every match is very competitive.”

Bala’s campaign continues on Friday as they travel to second-placed Bangor, who are two points clear of them, having played one more game.

“Friday is massive for us,” said Pearson. “If we can win there it puts us in the automatic European spot which is our goal, so it’s a huge game.

“From what I’ve heard and seen they are a very strong side, and I think we are expecting another tight game, but if we perform at our best I’m confident we can get the result.”

After their midweek game at the The New Saints was postponed, manager Colin Caton is keen to see his side push on for runners-up spot in their remaining seven league games.

The Bala boss could take heart from another clean sheet last time out in the 1-0 win against Cardiff Met, and league points are clearly the priority.

“The performance wasn’t the best, I thought we did really well in the first half, but in the second half we looked jaded,” said Caton. “But at the end of the day, all that matters is the points.

“I would prefer to play badly and win, than to play well and lose the match, so it was a great result. We just need to take more chances and kill teams off, but that’s my only criticism of the lads, they know that.

“From where we were, we’ve done remarkably well to get to where we are, and we want to finish on a high.”

Bala are close to full strength, with Andrai Jones, David Thompson and Jordan Evans all back after various injuries. Anthony Stephens has also made a welcome return to training, and could be looking to return in the next few weeks.