The JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South campaigns kick off this weekend, with plenty of intriguing match-ups right from the get-go.
JD Cymru North – Colwyn Bay v Bangor 1876 (Friday, 7:45pm)
With the two of the biggest fanbases in the division, a significant crowd is expected as Bangor 1876 make the short trip to Colwyn Bay on Friday night.
The Seagulls are back in the second tier following relegation from the JD Cymru Premier last season, with Michael Wilde now in the dugout following the departure of Steve Evans.
The former Connah’s Quay Nomads striker has been busy assembling a squad he hopes will take the club straight back up, with new arrivals Joe Williams, Jay Owen and Sol Forde all key parts of the Flint Town United team that won promotion in April.
Bangor 1876 will also have ambitions of competing at the top end of the table after an impressive fifth-place finish in their first season in the JD Cymru North last term.
Manager Mike Johnston has kept largely the same squad going into the new campaign, meaning striker Corrig McGonigle – who hit 26 league goals last season – will once again be the key man to look out for.
JD Cymru South – Newport City v Ammanford (Friday, 7:30pm)
Plenty of eyes will be on Newport City on the opening night as it has been a busy transfer window following their promotion through the Ardal South play-off last season.
Former Barry Town United trio Luke Cooper, Nat Jarvis and Josh Graham have all joined, as have Miles John and Lathan Garrett who had impressive campaigns in the JD Cymru South for Llanelli Town and Caerau Ely respectively last season.
They link up with an already talented squad which also lifted the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy last season with a thrilling 5-4 win over Penrhyncoch in the final.
However, a stern test is on the cards for the club’s JD Cymru South debut as Ammanford were the surprise package in the division last season. Gruff Harrison’s men achieved a third-place finish after only narrowing avoiding relegation the year before.
Harrison has focused on defence in his summer recruitment, with centre-backs Chris Bell, Callum Jones and Harrison Lewis all coming through the door at the Recreation Ground.
JD Cymru North – Flint Mountain v Ruthin Town (Friday, 7:45pm)
Flint Mountain begin life in the JD Cymru North on Friday night after claiming the Ardal North West title last season alongside reaching the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup.
Aden Shannon’s side started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Gresford Athletic in the Nathaniel MG Cup first round, but their squad is packed full of experience with the likes of Mike Hayes and Rob Hughes.
Ruthin Town visit the Essity Stadium after triumphing 2-1 over Bangor 1876 in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, continuing their impressive form from the final few weeks of last season.
Dave Evans took over from Phil Hudson in March and earned 13 points from the final five games of the campaign to secure a seventh-place finish.
A reunion is on the cards for Tom Dyer, who spent seven years at Ruthin and captained the side on occasions before making the switch to Flint Mountain this summer.
Ruthin were victorious in the only previous meeting between the two sides back in September 2022 as Llyr Morris scored a brace in a 4-1 win in the NEWFA Cup.
JD Cymru South – Taffs Well v Llanelli Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
JD Cymru South title hopefuls Llanelli Town kick off the new campaign with a visit to Rhiw Dda’r to face Taffs Well on Friday night.
The Reds have finished as runners-up in the last two seasons, but have been busy in the transfer window as they attempt to finally secure the trophy – Henry Jones, Theo Wharton and Lewis Iles have all come through the door at Stebonheath.
Taffs Well recorded just three league wins post-Christmas during last season’s league campaign and they ultimately only survived relegation on goal difference.
An improvement is needed if the Wellmen are to steer clear of danger this year. Goalkeeper Shaun Gardiner has joined to tighten things up at the back, while David Lyon is back at the club to strengthen their attacking threat.
It was defeat for Taffs Well in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend as wildcard side Merthyr Town triumphed 3-1 at Rhiw Dda’r.
The first meeting between the two sides last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but the Reds would get the upper hand in the reverse fixture as Joe Hopkins, Sean Cronin and Josh Allen scored in a 3-1 win.
