The bank holiday weekend kicks off with a packed Friday night schedule in the JD Cymru Leagues. Here are some of the key games to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – Haverfordwest County v Penybont (Friday, 7:45pm)
It has been the perfect start to the JD Cymru Premier campaign for Haverfordwest County, who have earned away wins over Connah’s Quay Nomads and Caernarfon Town – who both qualified for Europe last season – so far.
The Bluebirds are on ‘home’ turf for the first time this weekend, but are playing at Carmarthen Town’s LHP Stadium while Ogi Bridge Meadow is redeveloped.
Penybont are the first visitors on Friday night, with Rhys Griffiths’ team having pipped Haverfordwest to the final European play-off spot in the JD Cymru Premier last season.
That came courtesy of a 1-0 victory over the Bluebirds on the final day of the regular campaign, one of three Bont wins from four meetings in 2023/24.
Penybont have started the new league season with four points from two matches, with James Crole’s brace earning a 2-0 win over Briton Ferry Llansawel on the opening weekend before a goalless draw against Newtown last Friday.
Bont will need to be wary of their former striker Ben Ahmun, who signed for Haverfordwest in the summer and has hit the ground running with goals in both league games and the assist for Owain Jones’ stoppage time winner against Caernarfon.
JD Cymru North – Ruthin Town v Penrhyncoch (Friday, 7:45pm)
Ruthin Town were the standout performers in the JD Cymru North last weekend as they triumphed 7-0 over Prestatyn Town and they will hope to build on that when host Penrhyncoch on Friday.
With Dave Evans’ team putting five past Llay Miners Welfare at the start of August too, they have one of the most potent attacks in the division and appear to have firmly put their 7-0 defeat to Flint Mountain on the opening day behind them.
Penrhyncoch currently sit bottom of the JD Cymru North table, with one point from three matches since their promotion from the Ardal North East last term.
The Roosters squandered a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat to Gresford Athletic last weekend so continue to go in search of their first win back in the division.
Ruthin are aiming to extend their unbeaten streak against Penrhyncoch to seven matches, having picked up four wins and two draws in league matches over the last five years. The most recent meeting came in February 2023 when goals from Gwion Owen and Llyr Morris secured a 2-1 victory.
JD Cymru South – Trethomas Bluebirds v Trefelin (Friday, 7:45pm)
The early season pacesetters in the JD Cymru South go head-to-head on Friday night in Ystrad Mynach.
Trethomas Bluebirds have seamlessly stepped up from the Ardal South East, winning all of their opening four league matches as well as Nathaniel MG Cup victories against Cwmbran Celtic and Baglan Dragons. Mark Dunford’s side currently sit top of the table, having scored 10 goals in four matches and conceded just two.
Trefelin are three points behind in second place, having won three of their four league games alongside a 3-2 defeat to Pontypridd United.
47-year-old Lee Trundle has starred for Andy Hill’s side so far, scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over Caerau Ely on the opening weekend before bagging a brace in the 3-1 victory against Llantwit Major last Friday.
