The new season is finally here, and the campaign will kick-off on Friday night when Llanelli Town host Barry Town United as the Reds return to the top-flight for the first time in six years.
It should also be an entertaining encounter at Bridge Meadow when Haverfordwest County take on Pen-y-bont, the two teams that finished in 3rd and 2nd place last season.
And then on Sunday afternoon, Colwyn Bay will welcome Connah’s Quay to Llanelian Road, with the Seagulls returning to the top tier at the first attempt after being crowned JD Cymru North champions last season.
This will be the last season under the current 12-team format, before the number of members increases to 16 clubs for the 2026/27 season. That means that six clubs will be promoted to the JD Cymru Premier at the end of this season, with the bottom two dropping down into the second tier. Four European spots will be up for grabs this year, before that amount drops back down to three for the following year.
Friday, 8 August
Haverfordwest County v Pen-y-bont | Friday – 19:45
These two teams will be keen to build on their successful campaigns in 2024/25 where Haverfordwest County finished in their highest position for over 20 years (3rd), while Pen-y-bont secured their highest ever finish (2nd).
However, it was a disappointing summer for the two teams who were both knocked out of Europe at the first attempt with Haverfordwest County stumbling against Floriana from Malta, and Pen-y-bont beaten by Lithuania’s Kauno Zalgiris.
Haverfordwest County had the best defensive record in the league in 2024/25, but Tony Pennock has had to pay the price for that record as professional clubs have snapped up several of his top players over the summer.
Talented defender Lee Jenkins has signed for Newport County in League Two, while goalkeeper Zac Jones has joined AFC Fylde.
In addition to that, Malta international, Luke Tabone has moved to Southport, and full-back Jacob Owen has joined The New Saints.
The four would certainly have been key for the Bluebirds in Europe, who lost against Floriana mainly due to a lack of discipline as the defenders conceded two penalties and saw two red cards over the two legs (as well as a red card for the manager, Tony Pennock).
Pen-y-bont have bolstered their options over the summer by signing striker Noah Daley from Carmarthen Town, and full-back Ash Baker from The New Saints.
But Pen-y-bont were seen off comfortably by the Lithuanian league leaders, Kauno Zalgiris over the summer (4-1 on aggregate).
Pen-y-bont are on a run of seven games without defeat against Haverfordwest County (W5, D2), and the Bluebirds have only scored once during that run.
Llanelli Town v Barry Town United | Friday – 19:45
After a six-year absence, Llanelli Town are back in the top-flight after winning the JD Cymru South in 2024/25.
Llanelli Town were the Welsh Premier League champions in 2007/08, but after a challenging financial period the club went out of business in 2013 before re-establishing shortly afterwards, climbing the leagues once again.
The Reds rose back into the JD Cymru Premier for the 2018/19 season, but it was a difficult year for the club who finished at the bottom of the table with only 16 points from 32 games.
Lee John and the coaching team will be determined to do better this year and put their mark on the league.
It was a mixed campaign for Barry Town United last year with the team starting the season strongly but failing to secure a place in the Top Six.
Barry Town United finished 7th before losing heavily against Caernarfon Town in the semi-final of the play-offs (Cfon 5-2 Barr).
The Dragons have strengthened defensively by signing goalkeeper, George Ratcliffe from Connah’s Quay, along with former TNS defender, Keston Davies.
The last two meetings between these clubs have ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Bala Town v Flint Town United | Friday – 19:45
It is a period of major change at Bala Town following the resignation of Colin Caton who spent 22 years at the helm at Maes Tegid.
Bala Town rose from the third tier to the JD Cymru Premier under Caton’s leadership and won the Welsh Cup, the Nathaniel MG Cup and finished as league runners-up on three occasions.
Steve Fisher has been by Caton’s side throughout the journey as assistant coach, and he’s the one who’s been put in charge to take over as manager for the new season, and to overhaul the squad.
Only five of the previous squad have remained with the club for the new season with a few new names joining including forward John Owen from Aberystwyth Town.
After avoiding the drop last season and finishing level on points with Connah’s Quay in 8th place, Flint Town United will be hoping for an equally good year this time around.
Former Aberystwyth captain Jack Thorn has joined the Silkmen, as has winger Joe Faux from Caernarfon Town.
It could be a tricky task for Flint on the opening weekend, who have not won in their previous 13 contests against Bala Town (L11, D2) since December 2019.
Saturday, 9 August
Cardiff Met v Caernarfon Town | Saturday – 14:30
Cardiff Met and Caernarfon Town finished in 5th and 4th place last season, and both teams will expect to reach the Top Six once again this year.
Caernarfon Town got the best of the Archers in the semi-final of the play-offs back in May, winning on penalties at the Oval, before losing against Haverfordwest County in the final.
After coming close to reaching Europe both clubs will be eager to qualify this season, especially as there is an additional place available again this year.
Lifumpa Mwandwe and Jasper Payne will be exciting additions on the wings at Cyncoed Campus this season as Cardiff Met prepare for their 10th season in the JD Cymru Premier.
And Richard Davies has been busy reinforcing the Cofis squad with Connor Roberts joining as goalkeeper, Kyle Harrison and Osebi Abadaki joining from Bala Town, Iwan Lewis from Aberystwyth, and then Connor Evans and Zack Clarke strengthening the attacking line.
But it will be hard to fill the Golden Boots of forward Louis Lloyd who has moved to St Johnstone in Scotland after winning both the Top Scorer award and the Young Player of the Season award in 2024/25.
Caernarfon Town will play their home matches at Llandudno this year while significant improvements are being made to their usual ground, The Oval.
Sunday, 10 August
The New Saints v Briton Ferry Llansawel | Sunday – 14:30
It was a disappointing summer for The New Saints who lost both of their European ties against Shkëndija and Differdange 03.
After the success of reaching the league stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, and after spending a club-record fee for new forward Ben Wilson, the Welsh champions were expected to do a bit better in Europe this year, but the performances over the four games were lacklustre.
The only consolation for Craig Harrison is that he can give his full attention to the domestic season this year and try to complete the treble for the second year in a row.
Avoiding relegation will be the initial goal for Briton Ferry once again this season, especially as the squad was depleted by losing Luke Bowen, Caleb Demery, Tyler Brock and Jasper Payne over the summer.
Briton Ferry Llansawel managed to defeat the Saints by 3-1 at the Old Road last November, but the Oswestry outfit got their revenge a month later with a 5-2 victory at Park Hall.
Colwyn Bay v Connah’s Quay | Sunday – 17:00 (S4C)
Colwyn Bay have been promoted back into the JD Cymru Premier at the first time of asking after winning the JD Cymru North 2024/25 championship.
And manager Michael Wilde has been busy bolstering the squad over the summer to ensure that the club does not fall straight back into the second tier this time around.
The Seagulls have signed several experienced names from the top-flight including Aeron Edwards, Nathan Peate and Louis Robles from Bala Town.
Alex Downes and Matty Hill have returned to Llanelian Road for their second spell with the club, with Aaron Williams and George Hughes also joining from Newtown, and Jordan Davies returning to Wales after a spell in Scotland.
It’s an exciting time at Connah’s Quay as they prepare for their first season under the leadership of their new manager, John Disney who played over 300 competitive games for the Nomads.
Connah’s Quay finished 8th last season, which saw Billy Paynter lose his job as manager, and the Nomads will aim to return to the Top Six this season.
Like Colwyn Bay, Connah’s Quay have been able to attract players from Newtown over the summer following the Robins’ relegation, and Zeli Ismail and Jason Oswell will be solid attacking options for the Nomads.
Connah’s Quay have won their three previous games against Colwyn Bay, and Seagulls manager Michael Wilde scored the winning goal for the Nomads in the last meeting between the teams back in November 2023 (CB 2-3 CQ).
The highlights of the games will be available on Sgorio’s social websites and the best of the weekend’s action on S4C on Monday night.
