Costcutter Football Preview.
Llandysul begin their title defence tonight at one of the toughest places to visit and they will have to be at their best if they are to kick start their season with a win.
Newcastle Emlyn, who were runners up behind the swallows last term have recruited some genuine talent and they are the only team that look strong enough to stop Chris ‘Coco’ Davies and his men recapturing the league championship trophy.
Manager Owain Thomas has signed Dion Phillips from Ffostrasol and Craig Gordon from the now defunct Pencader team and there could be more on the way now that former Pencader manager Kevin Evans has joined Emlyn as assistant manager.
Eighteen year old Phillips is one of the most skilfull youngsters in the Costcutter league and the reds have some very good young players around him in Jake Kelly, Dion and Daniel Davies, Arthur Davies, Ben Thomas and George Lowry and they have the pace and skill to trouble any side.
Importantly they have the experience of Steve Hicks, Sam Skinner, Huw Jonah Jones and Peter Almond to bring balance to the team and it will take a very good side to stop them lifting the Norman Llewellyn Memorial Trophy for the first time in four years.
Llandysul will start as favourites as they have managed to retain the squad that last season lifted the league championship and J.Emrys Morgan Cup and they have also strengthened by signing midfielder Gethin Davies. The former Lampeter man is a very good player and crucially he will bring you goals in tight matches as he makes great runs from deep and can put the ball away. He is also a hard tackler and he and Ben Thomas will form a formidable double act and be perfect foils for the likes of Ian Barret, Lewis Jones and Terry Maynard.
The swallows have enjoyed a promising pre season and won the Eddie Merry Cup a fortnight ago and will be ready for the challenge posed by the reds at Parc Emlyn this evening.
Up front prolific scorer Simon Davies is back to fitness following a leg break and Adrian Hazelby has also recovered from injury and at the back Dean Jones will lead the line and have experienced keeper Jon Durbridge between the sticks.
This promises to be an entertaining affair with so many natural goal scorers on show and the lush pitch and perfect conditions should produce a fitting start to the new season.
The reds maybe without front runner and top scorer Peter Almond as he picked up an injury on Saturday against Pencoed FC but otherwise Thomas picks from a full squad and Llandysul are also near full strength.
Cardigan entertain arch rivals St Dogmaels this evening at the King George field and this season opener promises to be a tight affair between two clubs that are building for the future. Former Saints midfielder Steve Williams is at the helm this season and has been joined by former team mate Wayne Jones as assistant manager. Williams has added to his squad with a few new signings with the most notable being former Cardigan and Cilgerran striker Louis Harding who will link up with talented playmakers in Adam Williams and Rhys Jones.
Town will rely heavily on the side that finished the season strongly and have some talented young players in Ewan Jones, Tomos Toft, Josh Mellor and Tom Gardiner and experience in the shape of midfielders Ben Davies, Emlyn George, Barry Morgan and Joost Burki.
Dewi Stars enjoyed a successful season last term after returning to division one and they were impressive at times and took some big scalps in cup competitions and Lampeter will have their hands full against a skilful and energetic Stars outfit.
Llandysul Reserves who lifted the league and cup last season in the reserve division entertain Newcastle Emlyn Reserves this evening in division two and at Maes Radley, Maesglas have a tough game to start as they entertain Llanboidy.
