It was the perfect start to the season for Flint Town United with Michael Wilde netting twice for his new club at Cardiff Met. There were victories elsewhere for league favourites Connah’s Quay and The New Saints on the opening weekend.
Friday, 20 August
Connah’s Quay v Aberystwyth Town | Friday – 19:45
Connah’s Quay may have lost the experience of frontman Michael Wilde, but skipper George Horan proved that he’s just as important to the Nomads, as the 39-year-old centre half stole the show at Cefn Druids on Friday night.
George Horan played a key role in the first goal before scoring the second for the Nomads, and was a constant threat from set pieces.
Aberystwyth Town also got off to a strong start as they beat Barry Town United for the first time since 2003 thanks to a 90th minute free-kick from local boy, Matthew Jones.
The Nomads are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Aberystwyth (won 6, draw 1), and the Black & Greens haven’t won at the Deeside Stadium since 2015.
Haverfordwest County v Cardiff Met | Friday – 19:45
Following a poor display against Flint Town United, Christian Edwards will demand an improvement from his students after stating that it was “as if someone had sprinkled rubbish dust” on his players during their 1-5 defeat on Saturday.
There wasn’t much spark in Haverfordwest County’s performance either as the Bluebirds fell to a 2-0 loss at Caernarfon Town.
Cardiff Met have won their last two matches against Haverfordwest County including their impressive 6-1 victory at Cyncoed Campus in April.
Saturday, 21 August
Pen-y-bont v Newtown | Saturday – 14:30
Rhys Griffiths was satistified with a point from Pen-y-bont’s opening fixture against Bala Town, and last season’s 4th placed side showed that they could compete towards the top of the table once again this year.
Newtown had a tough start against The New Saints with Chris Hughes’ team losing 1-4 at Latham Park on Sunday.
But the Robins have won their last two games against Pen-y-bont, with the latest of those wins coming in the play-off semi final at the SDM Glass Stadium back in May.
Flint Town United v Cefn Druids | Saturday – 14:30
It may be early days, but Neil Gibson will surely have been a happy man after seeing Flint Town United at the top of the table this week.
Niall McGuinness will make his first return to Cae-y-Castell after being sacked by the club last December, and despite losing to Connah’s Quay on the opening weekend, McGuinness was incredibly proud of the Druids’ valiant efforts.
The Slikmen scored 11 goals in two games against the Druids towards the end of last season, which remarkably was 34% of their season total of 38 goals.
The New Saints v Caernarfon Town | Saturday – 14:30
After winning their opening fixtures last weekend, both The New Saints and Caernarfon will be in the hunt for another three points on Saturday.
It will be a special occasion for Caernarfon Town’s 42-year-old centre half, Steve Evans, who won seven championships with The New Saints before spending four years as the club’s assistant manager.
The New Saints didn’t lose any of their four meetings with Caernarfon Town last season (won 3, drawn 1), but the goalless draw at Park Hall back in April certainly felt like a defeat, especially as the Cofis finished the game with only nine men.
Barry Town United v Bala Town | Saturday – 17:15
On the opening weekend of the new campaign both Barry Town United and Bala Town failed to beat teams that finished below them last season, and will therefore be eager to record their first wins on Saturday.
It ended all square between Bala Town and Pen-y-bont, while Barry Town United lost against Aberystwyth Town, despite winning each of their last eight games against the Seasiders.
The Lakesiders won three of their four meetings with the Dragons last season, with Golden Boot winner Chris Venables scoring a hatrick on two occasions.
But the Bala captain won’t be available on Saturday as he will begin his suspension after being red-carded against Pen-y-bont for violent conduct.
Highlights of the weekend’s matches will be on Sgorio this Monday at 5:30.
