Preview: Cymru Premier Opening Day

After a six month wait, the Cymru Premier is set to return on Saturday with fixtures being played behind closed doors.

The 2019-2020 season was curtailed in March, as Connah’s Quay Nomads were crowned champions, ending The New Saints’ run of eight consecutive Cymru Premier title.

As Wales’ top flight returns on Saturday, we take a look at the opening day’s fixtures.

Barry Town v The New Saints

Gavin Chesterfield’s Barry Town face the difficult task of hosting The New Saints on the opening day.

The Linnets finished fourth in the Cymru Premier last season and showed they are capable of defeating the Saints, having claimed a 1-0 win over Scott Ruscoe’s side at Park Hall last September, thanks to Evan Press’ goal.

Chesterfield has added to his squad this summer in the form of the arrivals of attackers Nathaniel Jarvis and Curtis Hutson, along with midfielder Michael George and the loan signing of goalkeeper Harry Thomas-Barker.

The signing of Jarvis has been seen as a real coup by Cymru Premier fans, as the striker scored 20 goals over two seasons with Chippenham Town of the National League South.

It’s not only Gavin Chesterfield that has bolstered his squad this summer however, as The New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe has added Louis Robles and Leo Smith from Bala Town and Caernarfon Town respectively, along with the signing of centre-back Ryan Astles from Southport.

All three new arrivals played their part in the Saints’ 3-1 Europa League victory over MŠK Žilina, with both Robles and Smith on the scoresheet.

Ahead of the new Cymru Premier season, where the Saints will be hoping to re-gain the title following Connah’s Quay Nomads’ victory last season,

Ruscoe has said that he “can’t wait and the players can’t wait to start our league campaign’

“I hope we hit the ground running because the pre-season friendlies were good, but there’s nothing like competitive football to get you going again.”

In the fixtures between the two sides last season, the Saints claimed a 4-1 victory at Jenner Park in December, but Chesterfield’s side had a positive record at Park Hall, recording a 1-0 win and a 2-2 draw away from home.

Saturday’s fixture between last season’s second and fourth placed sides is a mouth-watering start to the 2020-2021 Cymru Premier season.

Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Metropolitan University

Aberystwyth Town host Cardiff Metropolitan University as they get their season underway at Park Avenue.

The Seasiders are now under the management of Gavin Allen, who was previously the assistant of Matthew Bishop.

Since taking over at Park Avenue, Allen has made twelve new signings, including young, local players as he aims to bring a “different culture to the club.”

Owain Jones and Jamie Veale have joined from Merthyr Town, while Sam Barnes, Harri Rowe, Jack Rimmer, Rhys Davies, Steff Davies, Jonathan Evans, Steven Hewitt, Gwion Owen, Matthew Turner and George Harry have also signed for last season’s ninth placed club.

Allen told the club website, “I’m trying to bring in a different culture to the Club.

“I’m looking at the kids we’ve got coming through and trying to get in players with a different kind of mentality.

“We’ve got players who have been in the pro game, and who have a desire to get back into the pro game, and young lads coming through.

“We’ll be a youthful squad this year, but we’ll also be a fit squad,” he added.

While it’s been a summer of additions for Aberystwyth Town, some key players have left Cardiff Metropolitan University, who finished seventh in the Cymru Premier last season.

Will Evans, who scored seven goals for the Archers last term, has moved to Bala Town, while Joel Edwards, Dan Spencer, Jordan Lam, Mael Davies and Dion Phillips have also left the club.

In preparation for the opening day clash with Aberystwyth, the Archers most recently beat Cardiff City U23’s in a friendly behind closed doors.

Goalkeeper Alex Lang said in a post-match interview with the club, “Some good characters like Will Evans and Joel (Edwards), just to name a few, obviously the boys are gutted they’re gone, but some good boys have come in as well.

“There’s a few like-for-like replacements. We’ve worked together all pre-season and the boys have been getting on well and we’re feeling good for the season,” he added.

The fixtures between the two sides last season finished in a 2-2 draw at Park Avenue and a 2-1 win for Aberystwyth Town at Cyncoed Campus in Phase One, while Cardiff Met won 3-1 in Phase Two.

Haverfordwest County v Cefn Druids

Haverfordwest County begin their Cymru Premier campaign at the Bridge Meadow Stadium as they play host to Cefn Druids.

Wayne Jones’ side finished second in the Cymru South last season, earning promotion to Wales’ top flight.

The Bluebirds recorded 55 points from 25 games, averaging 2.3 goals per game and were also statistically, the strongest defence in league, having conceded the lowest total of 26.

Manager Jones’ summer recruitment began with Cambrian and Clydach duo Cameron Keetch and Cory Shephard, whilst Alaric Jones, Kieran Lewis and Wojciech Gajda have since signed for the club.

The Bluebirds’ most recent signing is the return of Danny Williams on a six-month loan from Cardiff City.

Upon re-signing Williams, club chairman Rob Edwards said, “Danny was one of our main targets since our promotion back to the Cymru Premier and have worked tirelessly on the deal, so we are over the moon to get it over the line and are certain Danny will make a huge impact with us during his time here.”

The news broke this week that Cefn Druids have secured their management team ahead of the new Cymru Premier season.

The Druids have appointed Bruno Lopes as their new first-team manager who was formerly the U23’s coach of Portuguese side Portimonense.

On the announcement, chairman Des Williams said: “We have known about Bruno for some time but he was unavailable and when we found out that he was suddenly available, we immediately took the opportunity to make contact and I’m pleased to have him on board.”

Lopes’ first competitive game in charge of Cefn Druids will be a trip to Haverfordwest County on Saturday.

The Druids will go into the new season without an integral member of last season’s squad, as Ramirez Howarth has signed for Lincoln City, following a successful trial.

The Ancients have however, added Alex Darlington, Ben Barrat and Steffan Edwards to their squad, while first-team players Aaron Simpson, Iwan Cartwright, Jamie Reed, Jonny Taylor, Michael Jones and Naim Arsan have all committed to further seasons with the club.

Flint Town United v Newtown

Flint Town United are set to play their first top-flight game in 22 years, when they host Newtown on Saturday.

The Silkmen, managed by Niall McGuinness, finished second in the Cymru North last season, recording 54 points from 24 games, averaging 2.5 goals per game.

Ahead of the new season, Flint have recruited invaluable Cymru Premier experience with the arrivals of Caernarfon Town captain Nathan Craig and Aberystwyth Town right-back Wes Baynes.

McGuinness has also added Ben Burrows, Ben Lockey, Ben Nash, Conor Harwood, Harry Lockley, Kai Wallis, Mason Blackwell, Rob Hughes, Darren Thornton and Matthew Jones ahead of the new campaign. 

Flint Town’s opponents at the Essity Stadium will be Newtown, who finished sixth in the Cymru Premier last season.

Chris Hughes has managed to retain the spine of the team, as key figures like Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Craig Williams, Neil Mitchell, Jack Kelly, Sean McAllister and Nick Rushton have all extended their stay at Latham Park.

The Robins have also announced some returning players this summer, as defender James O’Neill, midfielder George Hughes and striker Jamie Breese have signed for the club for a second time.

Hughes has also bolstered his attacking options with the new arrivals of Jordan Evans and James Davies, who both have experience of the Cymru Premier.

Last season, the Robins won six games out of thirteen away fixtures, including victories at Barry Town’s Jenner Park and The New Saints’ Park Hall.

Caernarfon Town v Penybont

The Cofis head into the new season under the management of Huw Griffiths, after fans’ favourite Sean Eardley left to manage his hometown club, Llandudno, back in June.

Upon his departure, Eardley said, “It has been a stressful and emotional couple of days, I have spoken to lots of people to try and aid me with a decision but realise ultimately it would come down to me and doing what’s right for me and my family at this time.

“An opportunity has arisen to manage my hometown club and I feel the day to day stresses of top fight Welsh domestic football would again eventually become a little too much.

“Caernarfon Town, none more so than the board, gave me my first opportunity in management, and for that, I will be forever indebted,” he added.

Since Eardley’s move to the Seasiders, Huw Griffiths, who took Cefn Druids to the Europa League in 2018, has made a number of additions to his squad, hoping to fill the void left by the departures of key players Nathan Craig and Jamie Breese.

The likes of Asa Hamilton, Jack Fleming, Tyler French, Cai Jones, Cory Williams, Iddon Price, Josh Tibbetts, Mike Hayes and Paulo Mendes have all committed to the Cofis ahead of next season.

Travelling to the Oval on the opening day will be Penybont, who finished tenth in the Cymru Premier last season.

Similarly to Caernarfon Town, some integral members of the squad that kept Penybont safe from relegation last season have left the club this summer.

James Saddler has signed for Ponytpridd Town, while utility man Michael George and Curtis Jemmett-Hutson have both joined Cymru Premier side Barry Town.

Manager Rhys Griffiths has acted quickly to replace those who have departed however, adding attackers Ian Traylor, Ben Ahmun and Sam Snaith, along with the signings of Mael Davies, Ashley Morris, Lewis Baldwin, Connor Davies and Lewis Clutton.

In the fixture at the Oval between the two sides last season, the Cofis came out on top in an entertaining 3-2 victory, while the clash at the SDM Glass Stadium finished goalless.

Connah’s Quay Nomads v Bala Town

Connah’s Quay Nomads begin their defence of the Cymru Premier title against Bala Town at the Deeside Stadium.

After a remarkable season last term, the Nomads earned a place in the Champions League qualifiers, where they recently bowed out to Bosnian giants FK Sarajevo.

Arguably the most significant transfer in the Cymru Premier this summer has been Aeron Edwards’ move to the Deeside Stadium from title rivals The New Saints.

Morrison has also added wing-back Danny Davies from Prestatyn Town.

Despite the two additions to Morrison’s squad, the contract extensions of key players like Priestley Farquharson and Jamie Insall has also given the Nomads invaluable continuity going into the new season.

Bala Town head into the season opener buoyed by their first away win in Europe, having defeated Valletta by a goal-to-nil in the Europa League first qualifying round, earning a tie with Belgian giants Standard Liège.

Manager Colin Caton has been busy in the summer transfer market, adding Will Evans, Nathan Peate, Josh Tibbetts, Antony Kay, Llyr Morris and Raul Correia.

The Lakesiders have also had positive news in the form of the extended stay of Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner Chris Venables, who has cemented his place as one of Wales’ top flight’s best.

Last season, Connah’s Quay Nomads got the better of Bala Town twice in Phase One, winning 0-1 and 2-1 respectively, before a 2-2 draw at Maes Tegid in Phase Two.