The Cymru South enters its third edition as the 2022/23 season begins again with a treat of two games on Friday evening to kick things off.
Ammanford who staved off the threat of relegation entertain Barry Town United, relegated from the Cymru Premier, meanwhile, Lee John’s new-look Llanelli Town hosts Afan Lido, before five games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
After a full campaign last year with all 16 clubs playing 30 matches which saw Llantwit Major claim an unexpected league title, it will be hard to predict what happens again in the second tier of Welsh football.
Title contenders
Barry Town United after their relegation from the top flight are certain to be up there and competing for the top prize. They’ve managed to keep hold of long-serving boss Gavin Chesterfield who would have been a contender for a few of the vacant jobs in the Cymru Premier.
They’ve done some good business in the transfer window, signing Rhys Davies who was a regular for Aberystwyth Town last year, whilst also bringing in Aiden Lewis, who was a pivotal part in Pontypridd United’s second-placed finish.
It is hard to look at relegation as a positive but for some clubs, it can be a refresher to the squad and allow the team to seek a new direction. There’s still some of the old guard left but things at Barry were beginning to get stale so new faces are a plus, though there will be pressure on them to deliver given the resources they have at their disposal.
Almost certain to challenge Barry is Briton Ferry Llansawel who have taken a large chunk of Llantwit’s title-winning squad, as well as their manager Karl Lewis, who joined the coaching staff.
Thomas Walters, the league’s top scorer has joined along with Cullen Kinsella, a two-time South winner now, as well as Conner Goldsworthy, already adding to a Reds squad that had quality, including former Football League defender Daniel Alfei.
There is more pressure on Andy Hill and his team to deliver now because of the obvious investment in the playing squad.
For the past two seasons, they’ve been in and around the title picture but haven’t quite been able to mount a serious title push.
After securing the Tier One Licence this year, it could be a case of now or never for Briton Ferry to become a top-flight team again.
The Old Gold claimed a 2-0 win over defending champions Llantwit last Saturday and have brought in former Football League forward Kaid Mohamed.
Carmarthen went on a long unbeaten run last season which went under the radar because of the impressive achievements of Llantwit.
Sean Cresser has moved on and they’ve looked to the man which delivered them their best days, Mark Aizlewood, who kept them as a steady top-flight team.
There’s experience from Carmarthen’s glory days as well as younger impetus such as Noah Daley who could live up to his early promise in the Welsh football scene. Their bench against Llantwit did look slightly thin so reinforcements will be needed.
As to the other team that might contend in the title race then Carmarthen’s opening day opponents Cambrian & Clydach Vale may be up there.
The Sky Blues have been in the top six for the past four seasons, coinciding with growth within the club with new facilities, as well as a memorable Nathaniel MG Cup run in 2018/19 to boast.
There are some good young players in their squad, some of which have played in the Cymru Premier, whilst the return of Josh Bull, who was out with an injury last year, is a welcomed one as he is proven at this level.
The other three clubs perhaps have a bit more muscle and in the case of Barry and Carmarthen, they’ve got personnel that have been there and done it. If they can make a statement with a win against Carmarthen on an opening day then they might just have a case in the promotion race.
Surprises
This category is more for the teams that perhaps won’t be involved in the title race but may take some surprise results along the way.
Taffs Well had an improved season last year and look to have built a sound platform for consolidation at least. For years the Wellmen’s second-tier status would rely on teams failing their licence but last year they secured a finish inside the top half, 18 points above the drop zone.
They aren’t a team that is exactly blessed with resources and instead they focus on bringing through players from their successful academy, who were crowned the Under-19 champions of Wales.
Their commitment to bringing through local players should be applauded and who knows, maybe in a few years, they can become a team that can challenge for even more.
Defending champions Llantwit may struggle after losing a chunk of their squad to Briton Ferry with much change from their success of last year.
Major have played on the underdog tag for a number of seasons having enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Welsh system and despite their success last season, they aren’t expected to be in the mix this time around given the amount of change that has taken place.
New boss Stevie McCarthy-Campbell has looked to his former club Ely Rangers for new signings but it will be a test for them to see if they can adapt from the South Wales Alliance. They should have enough to remain in the division, however, given the fight and determination the club has.
Relegation candidates
A historic club Port Talbot Town learned the hard way what an unforgiving division this can be having gone the entirety of their season without picking up a point.
That feat won’t happen again this year and there will be a slightly more competitive relegation battle with three new additions to the league all with their own strengths.
The recently promoted teams Abergavenny Town, Pontardawe Town, and Ynyshir Albions all have their strengths and weaknesses but at the moment, all three could be in the relegation picture, though some may defy expectations.
Abergavenny did hold Llanelli to a draw before beating them on penalties but that is a one-off game, but they are well equipped given the experience of former Sunderland forward Sean Wharton.
Ynyshir Albions had a reality check when they suffered a 4-1 loss to Taffs Well in the Nathaniel MG Cup, again that is a one-off game but that will be the standard for the season. What they have in their favour is their manager Dane Williams managed Cambrian at this level and was successful, he is backed by a coaching staff that also knows this level.
Ardal South West champions Pontardawe Town had the privilege of hosting Llanidloes Town of the Cymru North who just managed to stay up last season, so they haven’t had the experience of playing their league rivals yet.
They have had to contend with losing their title-winning manager Andrew Stokes who was a shock appointment at Pontypridd. Promoting from within, player-coach Garry Taylor was appointed which is a sound option to have given his relationship with the club.
A heavy 6-1 defeat to Trefelin BGC last Saturday could be a sign that Goytre United could be in the relegation mix. It may have only been one match but Trefelin are a side that only secured their Cymru South status on the final day of the campaign. A lot of Goytre’s players have reunited with Lee John at Llanelli and so they are having to dip in to their reserves and lower league teams to fill up their squad.
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