The new JD Cymru Premier season kicks off this weekend, while the second tier is also back in action following an enthralling opening weekend. Here are the key games to watch.
JD Cymru Premier – Colwyn Bay v Connah’s Quay Nomads (Sunday, 5pm)
Following promotion from the second tier, Colwyn Bay’s first test back in the top-flight comes against a club who manager Michael Wilde won two titles with as a player – Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The Seagulls lost just one league game all season on their way to lifting the JD Cymru North title in 2024/25 and they have strengthened significantly over the summer with several impressive signings, including former Nomads stars Jordan Davies, Aron Williams and Aeron Edwards. A 3-0 defeat to Caernarfon Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend acted as somewhat of a reality check, but defender Sol Forde was sent in the first half.
JD Cymru Premier
2025/26 club-by-club season preview
Wilde comes up against his former teammate John Disney in the dugout, with the ex-Nomads captain taking the reins this summer after retiring as a player. He made the perfect start to life in the dugout with a 9-0 win over Ruthin Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, with summer signings Zeli Ismail, Harry Franklin and Eddie Servuts all on the scoresheet.
The Nomads won 2-1 and 3-2 respectively in the two meetings between the sides when Bay were last in the JD Cymru Premier in 2023/24, with new Seagull Jordan Davies scoring in both matches for the Flintshire side. Wilde also found the net for the Nomads in the clash at the Blue Turtle Arena.
Predict the outcome of Colwyn Bay v Connah’s Quay Nomads in our Match Predictor.
JD Cymru Premier – Haverfordwest County v Penybont (Friday, 7:45pm)
Last season’s third and second-place finishers in the JD Cymru Premier meet on the opening weekend of the new campaign as Haverfordwest County host Penybont on Friday night.
Bont provided a serious title challenge to perennial champions The New Saints until the new year last term, while the Bluebirds finished the campaign with the best defence in the division. Yet both sides suffered disappointing defeats in Europe this summer.
However, they both got their domestic campaigns off to emphatic starts in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round last weekend. Penybont won 6-1 away at Trefelin, while Haverfordwest were 5-0 winners on home turf against Newport City.
Penybont won three of the five meetings between the two sides in league and cup last season by a one-goal margin, while the other two clashes finished goalless.
JD Cymru Premier – Llanelli Town v Barry Town United (Friday, 7:45pm)
Llanelli Town mark their return to the JD Cymru Premier after a six-year absence with a home game against Barry Town United on Friday night.
The Reds lost just two league games on the way to lifting the JD Cymru South title last season, but have lost top scorer Liam Eason this summer. However, new arrivals Alex Bonthron and Tristan Jenkins have both already found the net in the 4-1 comeback win over Ynyshir Albions in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend.
Barry finished seventh last season before defeat to Caernarfon Town in the play-offs, so will have hopes of a top six finish this term. The Linnets triumphed 2-1 at home against Aberystwyth Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, with Callum Sainty heading home a late winner.
Friday night’s clash could see Josh Yorwerth and Harrison Bright immediately face their former club after signing for Llanelli from Barry this summer. The Reds also count fellow former Linnets Mike Lewis, Louis Gerrard and Theo Wharton in their squad.
Barry are unbeaten in their last 15 meetings with Llanelli. The two sides last went head-to-head in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round last season, when the Linnets progressed on penalties following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
JD Cymru North – Denbigh Town v Holywell Town (Friday, 7:30pm)
Denbigh Town and Holywell Town meet at the Blue Turtle Arena in Colwyn Bay on Friday night after both sides made winning stars to the new JD Cymru North season.
Denbigh ended their 27-year wait for a home win on the opening day of a second tier campaign as Nathan Brown starred in a 3-2 win over Caersws a fortnight ago, while Holywell picked up a 2-1 victory over Flint Mountain thanks to Danny Sullivan’s stunning late strike.
Both teams were also victorious in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round last weekend. Holywell caused the biggest shock of the round by winning 2-1 away at top-flight Flint Town United, while Denbigh progressed past Rhyl 1879 via an epic penalty shootout which they won 11-10.
The two sides last met in January when Ilan Ap Gareth’s 24-minute hat-trick inspired a 4-2 win for Holywell, after Denbigh had triumphed 2-0 over the Wellmen earlier in the campaign.
Predict the outcome of Denbigh Town v Holywell Town in our Match Predictor.
JD Cymru South – Trefelin v Newport City (Saturday, 2pm)
Two sides with JD Cymru South promotion ambitions meet on Saturday afternoon as Trefelin host Newport City at Ynys Park.
Trefelin, who finished fourth last season, kicked off the new campaign with a 2-1 win away at Trethomas Bluebirds thanks to Tyler Brock’s 98th-minute penalty. Newport began with a 1-0 home win over Afan Lido thanks to Kayne Mclaggon’s second half strike – an eighth consecutive league win for the Steelmen who finished last season in fine form to finish third.
Both clubs have recruited impressively this summer. Alongside Mclaggon, Newport have also welcomed the likes of Nat Jarvis and Evan Cadwallader, while Brock is one of several Trefelin signings from the top-flight alongside Luke Bowen, Jasper Jones, Kostya Georgievsky and Lewys Ware.
However, both sides suffered heavy defeats in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round last weekend. Trefelin were beaten 6-1 at home by Penybont, while Newport were knocked out with a 5-0 defeat away at Haverfordwest County.
Newport edged past Trefelin 1-0 in the first league meeting last season, but Andy Hill’s side got revenge with a thrilling 4-3 win in the reverse fixture before triumphing 2-1 in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup Southern semi-finals on their way to lifting the regional trophy.
Predict the outcome of Trefelin v Newport City in our Match Predictor.
