Wembley date in dream season for Ben Davies

BEN Davies was sitting among the 90,000 fans when Swansea City beat Reading at Wembley to reach the Premier League two years ago.

Next month he will play in a match watched by millions as his local club attempt to advance into Europe.

There have been numerous landmarks for the teenager this season.

First came his senior and Premier League debut in the closing stages of August's win over West Ham.

Then a week later, Neil Taylor's injury handed the left-back a run in the team.

Memorable tussles with the likes of Samir Nasri and Antonio Valencia have followed for a defender who was playing youth team football a couple of years ago.

The Neath product struck his first goal for Michael Laudrup's men against Stoke last Saturday and a few days later helped them past Chelsea and into the Capital One Cup final.

That 0-0 draw and 2-0 aggregate triumph sees Swansea head back to the site of their famous triumph against the Royals.

Davies was in London that day, sitting among the fans as a Scott Sinclair hat-trick helped haul Swansea into the top flight.

Next month he is likely to have a more prominent part to play.

"I was in the youth team at that time and we all went as a team to watch the game," said the 19-year-old.

"I was in the stands.

"I didn't think I'd be playing there two years later, but now it's happening and we've just got to get on with it really.

"This is what you get for putting the effort in. I think the rewards have come because we have played well this year.

"We'll probably go into the final as favourites for the game and it's a massive opportunity for us.

"I think we've just got to put in a similar performance to Wednesday night and hopefully we can win the game.

"But we're not going to go in and underestimate Bradford. They've beaten Premier League teams already in the competition."

Davies was part of a gritty defensive effort last Wednesday as Swansea shut out Chelsea and cemented a final appearance.

That came a fortnight after goals from Michu and Danny Graham stunned Stamford Bridge.

Now the former Cwrt Herbert Colts player is set to play for the biggest honour in Swansea's history less than two years after signing his first professional deal with the club.

"It's a dream come true. As a kid, you always want to play at Wembley," said Davies.

"It's the stadium everyone wants to be at and to be going there in a month's time is a big thing for us.

"I don't think Chelsea had any clear-cut chances and we thoroughly deserved to go through.

"It was a good performance defensively and we probably could have nicked one goal ourselves.

"We knew what was at stake, but we were calm, we were composed on the ball whenever we got it and we knew if we put a good 90 minutes in the result would come.

"It's a massive boost for the club and the city as a whole.

"To be a small club that has come through the divisions and now be where we are is an incredible achievement and it's down to everyone that runs the club."

Davies has recent cup final experience.

But next month's glitzy appearance under the arch is likely to be a world away from Davies's last outing in a showpiece.

Two years ago the former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil scored as Swansea thumped West End 5-0 in the FAW Welsh Youth Cup final.

"This doesn't compare, it's definitely the biggest game of my career," added Davies.

"It's a huge game, it doesn't happen often and it's a great opportunity.

"The highs keep coming, but we've got a job to do next month and hopefully we can win the game.

"A lot of people will be looking at the final and it will be hard not to focus on that.

"But we're a strong group and I'm sure the manager won't let us get carried away."