The season may only be less than a month old, but there is already plenty riding on matches across all three leagues. Preview some of the key games across this weekend.
JD Cymru Premier – Flint Town United v The New Saints (Friday, 7:45pm)
Reigning JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints get their new league campaign underway with a trip to Flint Town United on Friday night.
The Saints’ fixture against Caernarfon Town last week was postponed due to their ongoing involvement in Europe – they remain in with a chance of becoming the first Welsh side to reach a league (formerly group) league but must win their UEFA Conference League play-off round tie over the next fortnight.
Flint’s return to the top-flight began with a 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff Met last Saturday, with the Silkmen going in front through Josh Jones before the Archers staged a comeback.
TNS have won nine of their last 10 meetings with Flint, including a 5-1 victory in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round a fortnight ago.
JD Cymru Premier – Aberystwyth Town v Connah’s Quay Nomads (Friday, 8pm)
Connah’s Quay Nomads begin life in the without Neil Gibson by travelling to Aberystwyth Town on Friday night.
The Nomads were beaten 1-0 by Haverfordwest County on the opening weekend, before Gibson departed as manager on Tuesday.
It follows a summer of significant squad turnover in Flintshire, with five of the Nomads’ JD Welsh Cup final starting XI departing. However, one new signing has already made his mark as Lifumpa Mwandwe netted in the 3-0 win over Buckley Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Aberystwyth led 1-0 at half-time in their opening day clash away at Newtown, but a second half comeback from the Robins saw the Seasiders eventually lose 4-1.
However, Aber are unbeaten in their last three home matches against the Nomads – with the two sides drawing 1-1 at Park Avenue last season.
JD Cymru North – Llandudno v Colwyn Bay (Friday, 7:45pm)
A local rivalry will be reignited on Friday night as Colwyn Bay make the short trip west to Llandudno.
The two games between the sides in the 2022/23 season – which both finished as draws – attracted attendances over 1,000 fans so another bumper crowd is expected at The Go Goodwins Stadium.
After defeats to Mold Alexandra and Airbus UK Broughton in their opening two matches, Llandudno got their first points of the campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Penrhyncoch last weekend.
Meanwhile, Colwyn Bay bounced back from a 4-0 defeat to Bangor 1876 on the opening weekend by beating Holywell Town 2-0 before a 1-1 draw with Llay Miners Welfare this weekend.
JD Cymru North – Buckley Town v Flint Mountain (Saturday, 2:30pm)
An exciting Flintshire derby awaits on Saturday as Buckley Town and Flint Mountain meet at The Globe following impressive starts to the campaign for both sides.
Buckley sit third in the JD Cymru North table as one of only three remaining unbeaten teams in the division after three games. Following a goalless draw against Penrhyncoch on the opening day, the Bucks cruised to a 3-0 win over Gresford Athletic before triumphing 2-0 over reigning champions Holywell Town.
Flint Mountain have adapted seamlessly to life in the second tier so far following their Ardal North West title win last term, with Aden Shannon’s side earning a 7-0 win over Ruthin Town and 1-0 victory over Gresford Athletic either side of a narrow 3-2 defeat to Caersws.
The only previous meeting between these two sides came in September 2023 when Mountain prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in the first round of the NEWFA Challenge Cup – a competition that Mountain went on to win in.
JD Cymru South – Goytre United v Pontypridd United (Friday, 7:30pm)
Goytre United and Pontypridd United have been involved in some of the most entertaining matches in the JD Cymru South so far this season, so a high-quality encounter could be on the cards when they meet at Glenhafod Park on Friday night.
Goytre lost only one of their last six matches last season and they have built on that with six points from the opening three games of the new campaign. Leon Rayner’s stoppage-time winner earned a 2-1 away win at Carmarthen Town on the opening weekend, while Keane Watts’ hat-trick inspired them to a 5-1 victory over Penrhiwceiber Rangers last Saturday.
Pontypridd have also won two of their opening three JD Cymru South matches following relegation from the top-flight. After a pair of 3-2 wins against Afan Lido and Trefelin, Gavin Allen’s side were beaten 3-1 by Cambrian United last weekend. Summer signing Liam Eason has starred in attack so far, scoring five of Ponty’s seven league goals.
A brace from Tim Parker helped Goytre United to earn a 3-1 win the last time the two sides met in the 2021/22 season after a 1-0 victory for Ponty earlier in the campaign.
