Just 72 hours removed from Tuesday night’s victory over Abertillery Bluebirds in the Nathanial MG Cup, the Black and White’s return to home comforts again as they commence their 2023/24 JD Cymru South campaign.
Gruff Harrison’s side put in a professional performance to dispatch the Bluebirds earlier in the week with Lewis Reed capping a memorable debut with a second half brace to earn the supporters’ Man of the Match award.
Much has changed since Town last featured in league action with no less than eleven new faces through the door including the return of two familiar names to Town supporters. There have also been some departures including the departure of Lee Trundle, Jordan Langley and the retirement of club stalwart Ben Soal.
A new campaign offers a new opportunity for optimism and bookmakers have Ammanford at 66/1 to lift the coveted prize at the end of the season. Whilst at the other end of the table, Dragonbet.com make 7th favourites for the drop priced at 5/1.
The curtain is raised this weekend with the visit of Taffs Well who themselves are no strangers to the league. With a new management duo of Geza Hajgato and Nathan Cotterrall at the helm, they too enjoyed a positive result to begin the 2023/24 term although they required penalty kicks to dispatch fellow second tier side Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday.
The Wellmen finished last season one place and one point behind Ammanford AFC. They have added to their ranks in the summer and have added a blend of experience and youth to their ranks. Ross Daniels and Jordan Coles join from AFC Llwydcoed, Will Toms joins from Caerphilly and Ben Parry joins from nearby Pontyclun. They’ve also added some Cymru South experience into the squad with the captures of Liam Hutchinson, Jac Jones and Carter Campbell who join from Goytre United, Pontardawe and Ynyshir Albion respectively.
The man in the middle on Friday night will be Joshua Howells. He will be assisted by Kevin Bungay on one line in addition to Cymru Premier and UEFA official Johnathon Beebee-Bryant on the other flank.
To celebrate the premiere of the 2023/24 campaign, the club are putting on a range of activities for children to enjoy including a bouncy castle, face painting and a penalty shootout with our mascots. Despite matchday programmes no longer being a requirement in the JD Cymru South this season, as a club, we’ve decided to maintain a physical copy of ‘The Town’ which will be available on the gate for £2.
Kick off is at 7:30 and tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £4 for OAP’s and students whilst children are priced at £1. As ever, there is free entry for junior players and coaches. We look forward to welcoming you all to the Rec!
