It’s Showtime!

 

Caersws, Guilsfield and Llanrhaeadr launch their Huws Gray Alliance bids while the bulk of local clubs from the Spar set up are involved in Welsh Cup action.

 

It’s been a summer of muted transfer activity with few changes reported but Guilsfield will unleash their new attacking edge at Rhyl, hoping to avoid the season-long relegation scrap they endured last term despite winning the league cup.

 

“The league will be a lot more competitive again this season but I believe that the squad of players we have can improve on last season with a mid-table position,” said manager Russell Cadwallader.

 

Proven marksmen Will Thomas (Berriew) and Danny Barton (Ellesemere) have joined along with goalkeeper David Littleford (Wem Town), Sam Heenan (Rhydymwyn), Ed Baldwyn (Berriew), Mark Griffiths (Dyffryn Banw), Stu Buckley-Robins (Montgomery) and the highly rated Ian Probert (Berriew). But Guilsfield are without last season’s top scorer Ross Frame who has switched to Llanfair United with Rich Astley and Llion Davies. Coulson brothers Joe and Tom have joined Morda United and Dave Jones switched to Caersws.

 

Caersws manager Mike Evans’ difficult pre-season ended on a frustrating note when Max Powell announced last night that he would not be signing.

 

The impressive centre half has opted for a south Wales club, closer to where he is university, leaving Evans with one or two headaches ahead of a big season curtain raiser against champions Gap Connah’s Quay.

 

“It hasn’t been easy and we have a few missing tomorrow,” said Evans who is without Jacob Smith (holiday), Richie Evans (wedding) and Geraint Lewis (work).

 

Newly promoted Llanrhaeadr have kept faith with the players who secured their place in the Alliance for the first time with only Hamish Clifton of Meifod coming in to replace Simon Edwards who has joined former assistant manager Jamie Davies at Llansantffraid Village. Tonight (Friday) their adventure begins at Cefn Druids.

 

Cefn Druids v Llanrhaeadr

 

Caersws v Gap Connah’s Quay

Rhyl v Guilsfield

 

Llanidloes v Dyffryn Banw

Llansantffraid Village v Newbridge-on-Wye

 

Four Crosses v Abermule