Predictions: Cymru Alliance – 2018/2019

Following a fantastic season in the Welsh Premier League, this season Bangor City find
themselves in the Huws Gray Alliance following failing to get their domestic license, in what promises to be an exciting Huws Gray Alliance season.

With Bangor City, Rhyl, Airbus UK Broughton already in the league, the league title is set to be a fierce competition ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Joined by Buckley Town, Conwy Borough and Llanrhaedr Ym Mochant, there will be plenty of new narratives emerging of this new Huws Gray Alliance season.

Champions: Bangor City

After a busy summer off the pitch Bangor City manager Craig Harrison has put together a strong team with players like Tom Field, Les Davies, Marc Williams and Robbie Parry.

Anything less then top place finish for the Citizens would be a disappointing season. However, the club will face difficult opposition in the Huws Gray Alliance at the top end of the
table, with Airbus, Rhyl, Flint & Porthmadog all having recruited well during the
summer.

But, Harrison will know he will have an expectant fanbase, who will be expecting their stay in the Huws Gray Alliance to be a pit stop on their way back to the top flight of Welsh football.

Despite finishing second last season in the Welsh Premier League, the club were relegated after licensing issues. The disappointment meant there have been wholesale changes at the club, but even so, all the additions Harrison has made have been solid additions to the squad.

The majority of signings have Welsh Premier League experience, and Harrison will no doubt be aiming to take Bangor back up at the first time of asking.

Runners Up: Airbus

Airbus will be hoping that this time, they will be able to mount a full challenge for the title. After relegation from the top flight two seasons ago, the club will be hoping that their one season acclimatising to the top flight will be enough.

This term, Airbus will likely be challenging Bangor City for the Huws Gray Alliance title this season. They have added quality to their side this season in the form of Asa Hamilton and they have managed to keep hold of the more experienced starters in Ryan Edwards and Lewis Buckley.

But, it’s likely the strength of the Bangor side will be just too much for Airbus to keep pace with this term.

Teams to watch: Porthmadog and Flint

Flint have been very busy during the summer adding quality to their squad and hoping to have a proper go at the top half of the Huws Gray Alliance this year.

Under the management of former Rhyl manager Niall McGuiness, Flint have the experience and understanding to secure a solid finish in this coming campaign. With the additions of ex  ex Bangor and Llandudno left back Sam Hart and ex Prestatyn right back Tom Kemp, alongside retaining a large proportion of the playing squad of last season, there is bound to be a quiet sense of optimism at the club this coming season.

Another side to keep an eye on are Porthmadog. The Port mean business this year after they retained the core of their squad from last term including Sion Edwards andJoe Chaplin. However, the Port boss has added quality by securing the services of Warren Duckett from Denbigh Town, Shaun Cavanagh from Caernarfon Town and Jay Gibbs from Llandudno.

There is plenty of JD Welsh Premier League experience in the squad, and if they can find their feet quickly, a good season beckons for the outfit.

The new boys: Conwy Borough, Buckley Town and Llanrhaedr Ym Mochant

Conwy Borough: 12th 

After winning the Welsh Alliance League Premier Division title last season, Gareth Thomas’ men return to the Huws GrayAlliance at the first time of asking.

Thomas has kept the majority of his title winning squad from last season, but has made crucial additions in key areas, particularly former Welsh Premier League and Huws Gray striker Lee
Thomas.

Thomas has also added ex Caernarfon and Llandudno Junction goalkeeper Keighan Jones. However, the most important aspect is that star striker Corrig McGonigle has committed himself to the club for next term after a prolific season in front of goal last campaign. Conwy fans will be hoping he can find the back of the net on a regular basis next term to ensure Conwy retain their status next term.

Buckley Town: 15th

After spending a year in the Welsh National League Buckley Town also bounced back first time of asking. Dan Moore’s side won the National League with a late equaliser against Brickfield Rangers on the final day of the season, as they spent just one season away from the second tier.

A consistent theme for the promoted sides is that they have maintained the majority of their squad, and Moore is no different. The manager has kept all of his squad from last season and he’s made a couple of new signings in Ryan Jones who’s a tall centre forward and defensive midfielder Phil Molyneux has joined from Welsh National League Premier Division outfit Brickfield Rangers.

However, the quality of the Huws Gray Alliance is strong this season, and it could mean that there is a tough season ahead for the club.

Llanrhaedr Ym Mochant: 16th

After a four year absence, Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochant have returned to the Huws Gray Alliance after winning the Spar Mid Wales League Division 1 last season.

Llanrhaeadr have kept all their squad from last season, and will be hoping the team can find their feet quickly in the second tier. But, to add to the squad, the club have secured the signings of Jimmy Haynes and Harri Lloyd from Cardiff Met.

Similarly to Buckley, the club may find the quality of the Huws Gray just too good this coming season in the second tier, but the club are no doubt going to give their all in ensuring they maintain their league status next term.

After two seasons in the Huws Gray Alliance and during the
summer Penrhyn have lost Nashawn Blake and Lee Jenkins to Welsh Premier League
club Aberystwyth Town. Gari Lewis has signed Rhydian
Davies & Luke Sherbon from Caersws.

Featured Image: Matty Hughes