3 unmissable Novira Cymru Leagues fixtures to watch on action packed opening weekend
BRIDGEND, WALES. - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2024: Chris Venables of Penybont celebrates scoring his sides second goal. Penybont v The New Saints in the JD Cymru Premier at the SDM Glass Stadium on the 20th September 2024. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
The new-look Novira Cymru Leagues season kicks off this weekend, featuring an expanded 16-team top flight and 32 clubs across the Cymru North and Cymru South all competing for the chance to reach the pinnacle of Welsh domestic football.
A new era brings fresh rivalries, intriguing storylines and blockbuster clashes. Here are three must-watch fixtures from the opening weekend of the new Novira Cymru Leagues season.
Adam Wilson of TNS celebrates scoring his sides first goal.
Penybont v The New Saints in the JD Cymru Premier at the SDM Glass Stadium on the 20th September 2024. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Novira Cymru Premier – Penybont v The New Saints
The New Saints begin their title defence with a trip to South Wales on Sunday, 2 August, where they take on last season’s European play-off winners, Penybont.
The champions head into the new campaign as overwhelming favourites to retain their crown, but an opening-day visit to the DragonBet Stadium in Bridgend is far from straightforward.
With one eye also on their European campaign, TNS could be vulnerable to an early upset against an ambitious Penybont side eager to make a statement.
Bont endured a disappointing end to last season, but they delivered when it mattered most, securing the results required to book their place in Europe once again.
Their UEFA Conference League campaign, like those of the other Welsh clubs competing in Europe, left little to be desired. but a positive result against the league’s dominant force on the opening weekend could provide the perfect platform to build confidence and kick-start a strong campaign.
Novira Cymru North – CPD Dinas Bangor 1876 v Bala Town
Bala Town’s disappointing season ended in heartbreaking fashion in April, as two goals in the 89th minute from Briton Ferry Llansawel condemned them to relegation from the Cymru Premier.
Their bid for an immediate return to the top flight begins with a difficult opening-day trip to Lock Stock Ardal North West champions CPD Dinas Bangor 1876. With both clubs targeting promotion, it promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend.
The hosts were dominant in the third tier last season, losing just one of their 30 league matches and scoring an incredible 123 goals on their way to the title.
Bala, meanwhile, will be determined to make a positive start as they look to bounce straight back to the Cymru Premier. They have the quality to challenge at the top, but with only one automatic promotion place available this season, every point will be crucial.
Ellis Sage of Newport City in action.
Newport City v Aberystwyth Town in the JD Cymru South at Newport Stadium on the 31st January 2026. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Novira Cymru South – Llanelli Town v Newport City
Two sides with ambitions of earning promotion from the Cymru South go head-to-head on the opening day as recently relegated Llanelli Town host Newport City.
Llanelli will be determined to make an immediate return to the Cymru Premier after a difficult campaign in the top flight, which ended with them finishing bottom of the 12-team table following a 6-0 defeat to Haverfordwest County on the final day of the season.
Newport City, meanwhile, finished 10th in the Cymru South last season and will need to show significant improvement if they are to challenge for promotion in what promises to be a fiercely competitive division.
There will also be fresh faces in the dugouts. Former Newport County midfielder Robbie Willmott takes charge of Newport City for the new campaign, while Terry Boyle begins his first full season at the helm of Llanelli Town following a period of significant change at the club after the departure of former manager Lee John.
You can watch all of this seasons Novira Cymru Premier action on the new streaming platform – Cymru Football TV
