Tag Archives: Match Previews

Match Preview – Colwyn Bay

JD Cymru Premier football returns to Jenner Park Stadium this weekend with Colwyn Bay being the first visitors. The seagulls are back in the Cymru Premier this season after a year away, Michael Wilde’s men topped the Cymru North last season with 81 points.

Colwyn Bay come into this on the back of a 1–1 draw against Connah’s Quay Nomads on opening weekend. Town kicked off the new season with a 2–0 win at Llanelli last Friday and will be looking to put more points on the board this weekend.

Michael Wilde was appointed as manager of Saturday’s visitors in May 2024 following the clubs relegation from the JD Cymru Premier and after 39 games under Wilde’s leadership Colwyn Bay find themselves back in the top tier. Wilde who retired from playing in 2024 made 484 appearances in the Cymru Premier for the likes of Connah’s Quay Nomads, The New Saints and Flint Town United, The Seagulls boss who played as a centre forward during his playing days went on to net on 306 occasions.

Colwyn Bay have had a busy summer following promotion with 15 new players arriving at Blue Turtle Arena including Louis Robles, Matty Hill and Aaron Edwards. Tom Weir, Cai Owen and Guto Williams are all amongst the 10 to depart the club this summer.

Our last meeting with Colwyn Bay came in April 2024 where Town suffered a 1–0 defeat in North Wales. Town’s last victory over Saturday’s opposition came in October 2023 with a Kayne McLaggon goal securing a 1–0 win victory for Town away at Colwyn Bay.

Kick off is at the earlier time of 12:30 on Saturday, we hope to see as many of you there as possible as we welcome back JD Cymru Premier football to Jenner Park for another season!

Get your tickets here

By Tierre Miller – https://medium.com/@tierremiller_

Barry Town vs Aberystwyth Town – Match Preview

Barry Town United return to competitive action Saturday with Aberystwyth making the trip to Jenner Park Stadium in the Nathaniel MG Cup second round.

Town’s last meeting with Aberystwyth came in March with Town running out 2–1 winners at Jenner Park. The visitors kicked off their Cyrmu South campaign last weekend and secured a 2–1 win against Llantwit Major.

Callum McKenzie replaced outgoing manager Antonio Corbiseiro in the summer. The 43 year old Welshman has previously managed Newton where he took charge of 14 games between November 2024 and April 2025.

Aberystwyth have had a busy summer with 16 players leaving the club and 17 arriving as the club look to bounce back to the Cymru Premier at the first time of asking.

Saturday’s visitors made it all the way to final of this competition last season but eventually lost 1–0 to TNS at the final hurdle. Town reached the semi final of this competition last season but just like Aberystwyth lost out to TNS.

Kick off is at 14:30 at Jenner Park Stadium on Saturday!

Tickets

Barry Town United vs Newport County — Preview

Barry Town United take on Sky Bet League Two opposition on Friday night with Newport County making the short trip to Jenner Park Stadium. This will be the second year running where Town take on The Exiles in pre season, Town came out 2–1 winners last year.

This is both sides final friendly before returning to competitive action next week. Town host Aberystwyth in the Nathaniel MG Cup next Saturday while County head to Barnet midweek in the Carabao Cup preliminary round.

So far in pre season Town have recorded wins over Newport City and Gloucester City. County have had a mixed bag in pre season so far with wins against Weston Super Mare, Pontypridd United, Worcester City and Undy AFC. County suffered a 3–1 defeat away to Torquay United last weekend and narrowly lost 1–0 to a strong Bristol City side behind closed doors on Tuesday.

New County manager David Hughes is no stranger to Barry Town having previously played and managed the club before leaving in 2013. Since then Hughes has gone on to work for both Cardiff City and Manchester United in the academy set ups. Hughes took the job at County in May replacing Nelson Jardim who left the club just before the end of the previous campaign.

Hughes isn’t the only link between both clubs with current Town man Robbie Willmott who made just under 300 appearences for County across 2 spells. Willmott was part of Newport’s FA Cup giant killings which saw County defeat sides like Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Leeds United. Willmott was also a key figure in the County side that forced Spurs to a FA Cup replay in 2018 after drawing 1–1 at Rodney Parade.

Newport have been pretty active in the window so far adding the likes of Michael Reindorf, Ged Garner, Nick Tzanev, Lee Jenkins and perhaps most notably Matt Smith who has 19 caps for Wales. County will be hoping these new signings can help the club kick on from last seasons 22nd place finish in League Two.

Ahead of the game I spoke with Newport fan Oliver Pughe to get a point a view from the County side of things. I started off by asking about new manager David Hughes. Oliver went on to say “From speaking to the new County Manager David Hughes at Newport’s 1–0 win away at Weston, it is important that this pre season campaign allows Hughes to gather a better understanding of his players as well as trying to carry out different tactics that could be used for the start of the season.”

I also asked Oliver about the upcoming season and how he thought County would get on. “Last year was disappointing but with a new manager and some real quality being added I don’t see why we can kick on and have a more comfortable season”.

Kick off is at 19:30 on Friday at Jenner Park Stadium.

Tickets available on the gate or via Fanbase here

Tierre Miller