After an entertaining opening weekend, the Novira Cymru Leagues returns with plenty more contests on the horizon. Here are the key games to watch.
Novira Cymru Premier – Airbus UK Broughton vs Cardiff Met (Friday, 7:45pm)
Airbus UK Broughton and Cardiff Met aim to build on their standout performances from the Novira Cymru Premier opening weekend as both sides meet at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium on Friday.
Josh Stevenson was the hero for Airbus as his late strike secured a stunning 1-0 win over Haverfordwest County last Saturday. The Wingmakers became the first newly-promoted to win away on the opening weekend of a top-flight campaign for 19 years and also prevented Haverfordwest from having any clear-cut chances, so Mark Allen’s side will be confident of another impressive performance in their first home game of the season.
Cardiff Met are the early league leaders after Jasper Payne’s hat-trick inspired a 6-1 triumph over newly-promoted Holywell Town – their biggest Novira Cymru Premier win since April 2022. Over half of Met’s entire points tally from last season came away from home and the Archers have already secured more wins than they did in their first nine league matches last season.
Met won both meetings when the two sides last faced each other in the 2022/23 Novira Cymru Premier, with their 2-0 and 3-1 victories coming within the space of just two weeks.
Airbus UK Broughton vs Cardiff Met
Novira Cymru Premier – Trefelin vs Llandudno (Friday, 7:45pm)
Newly-promoted Novira Cymru Premier clubs Trefelin and Llandudno meet at Ynys Park on Friday after both teams had contrasting opening weekend results.
Llandudno announced themselves back in the top-flight in dramatic fashion after Mark Cadwallader’s stoppage-time strike clinched an entertaining 3-2 win over Flint Town United, while Trefelin are hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat away to Colwyn Bay last Friday.
Tref, who are preparing to host their first ever Novira Cymru Premier game at Ynys Park, won 11 out of their 15 home matches on their way to lifting the Novira Cymru South title last season. Andy Hill has strengthened his side further with the exciting addition of 2025/26 Young Player of the Season Dan John from Ammanford and experienced defender Kane Owen from Penybont.
Llandudno remarkably won all their home matches in their Novira Cymru North title-winning season, with all four times they dropped points coming away from home. Kai Edwards, Joel Torrance and Kieran Lloyd all made their debuts for the Seasiders in their win over Flint last weekend as 24-year-old manager Jordan Hadaway – the youngest boss in the whole Novira Cymru Leagues – showcased his side’s quality.
Trefelin vs Llandudno
Novira Cymru North – Bala Town vs Ruthin Town (Friday, 7:45pm)
Bala Town host their first Novira Cymru North home game of the season at Maes Tegid as Ruthin Town manager Colin Caton returns to face his former club on Friday.
Caton won eight trophies and featured in nine European campaigns during his glittering 22-year spell at Bala, which came to an end in June 2025. The legendary manager was appointed Ruthin boss last November and although his side finished bottom of the Novira Cymru North last season, they were spared a drop to the third tier after Flint Mountain’s requested relegation, making this meeting with his beloved former club possible.
Bala, who are current favourites to lift the Novira Cymru North title, earned a statement 2-1 victory away to Bangor 1876 on the opening weekend, while Ruthin suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home against Holyhead Hotspur after conceding in stoppage time.
The most recent fixture between these two sides came just over two years ago in the 2024/25 Nathaniel MG Cup as teenager Tom Hughes scored a late winner to earn Bala a 1-0 victory.
Novira Cymru South – Newport City vs Carmarthen Town (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Newport City and Carmarthen Town will look to build on winning starts under their new managers when they face off at the Newport Stadium on Saturday.
Robbie Willmott enjoyed a convincing start to managerial life after his side stormed to a 4-1 win away to Llanelli Town. Willmott assisted Sam Johnson’s hat-trick clinching goal and the former EFL midfielder even played the full 90 minutes due to current injuries within the squad. The Steelmen will be hoping to improve on their home form after winning just once on their own turf in 2026 so far.
Carmarthen were in the thick of the opening weekend drama as Lewis Reed’s late strike secured a 4-3 victory over Novira Cymru South title favourites Caerau Ely to give new boss Rhodri Thomas three points in his first match in the dugout. The Old Gold will be without summer signing Rhys Jenkins for Friday’s fixture following his straight red card against Caerau last Saturday.
Newport and Carmarthen met three times across league and cup competition last season. Carmarthen earned a 1-0 league win in September before Newport prevailed on penalties in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in January. Both teams then played out one of last season’s most thrilling encounters as they shared the points in a 4-4 draw.
