The JD Cymru Leagues season kicks off this weekend as the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South get underway with plenty of enticing fixtures.
Here are two to keep an eye on as clubs aim to start the campaign with three points.
JD Cymru North – Flint Town United v Denbigh Town (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Flint Town United suffered final day heartbreak in the JD Cymru Premier last season as they were condemned to relegation – ending their three year-year stay in the top-flight.
Lee Fowler has remained in charge at the Essity Stadium and the club have recruited well over the summer. Tom Hilditch has arrived from Prestatyn Town after scoring 20 goals in the JD Cymru North last season, while fellow new arrival Joe Williams won promotion with Colwyn Bay.
The Silkmen will therefore be targeting the league title and they begin the campaign by hosting newly-promoted Denbigh Town on Saturday afternoon.
Denbigh are back in the second tier following a four-year absence, after claiming the Ardal North West title in 2022/23 – losing only three league matches all season.
Dewi Llion Jones’ side got their campaign off to the perfect start by winning 1-0 away at Chirk AAA in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, with summer signing Mason Blackwell-Jones scoring the only goal.
JD Cymru South – Briton Ferry Llansawel v Llanelli Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
Before a ball has been kicked in the JD Cymru South, Briton Ferry Llansawel and Llanelli Town are among the favourites to win the division – making their opening weekend clash a rather exciting one.
Llanelli finished second in the table last season, with Ferry placing just two points behind in third. Both of their meetings finished level, with a 1-1 stalemate at Old Road in August before a 2-2 draw at Stebonheath in March.
Lee John has been busy in the transfer market ahead of the new season, adding Liam Warman and Sam Johnson – who have won promotion in the last two years with Barry Town United and Pontypridd United respectively – among others.
Warman’s Jenner Park team-mate Josh Bull has been the standout arrival at Old Road, fresh off scoring 16 goals in the JD Cymru South for the Linnets and Cambrian & Clydach Vale last season. He joins a star-studded attack already containing Luke Bowen and Tom Walters.
Both clubs got their seasons off to winning starts in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, as Llanelli won 1-0 over Pontardawe Town and Briton Ferry triumphed 2-0 against Abergavenny Town.
You can watch Briton Ferry Llansawel v Llanelli Town live on RedWall+. Download the app or visit redwallplus.wales.
