Cofis start with tough trip to The New Saints
THE 2019-20 Welsh Premier League fixtures have been announced and the season will kick-off on Friday, August 16, with five matches across Wales.
Caernarfon Town will face champions The New Saints away from home while newly-promoted Airbus UK Broughton will kick-off at home to Bala Town, whilst Penybont is the destination for the first live Sgorio match of the new season, as they host Barry Town United.
Aberystwyth and Newtown will host Carmarthen, Cefn Druids respectively on the same night, with Connah’s Quay Nomads vs Cardiff Met rounding off matchday one on Saturday 17th.
The following weekend sees a bank holiday doubleheader, with matchday two on Friday 23 and matchday three following on Monday 26.
Fans will have to wait until matchday 13 to see last season’s top two square off, with Connah’s Quay hosting The New Saints on Friday, November 1.
The return match is on matchday 22, which will bring phase one to a close on Friday, January 17.
S4C have also made two further early season live TV picks: Carmarthen vs Newtown on matchday two, and Airbus vs Caernarfon on matchday four (Friday, August 30).
The usual festive doubleheaders return: matchday 19 is on Boxing Day, with matchday 20 spread across Monday December 30 and Wednesday, January 1.
Caernarfon held their end of season presentation evening recently where, in addition to announcing a host of first team awards, they bid farewell to three club stalwarts.
The long serving Kevin Roberts, who has enjoyed a glittering seven year career at The Oval, and Cymru Alliance title winner Rhys Roberts, have both decided to retire from the game whilst goalkeeping coach, Mike Innes also steps down after six years at the club.
Assistant boss Sean Eardley has paid tribute to all three for their excellent service during his time at the club:
“What a fantastic occasion the presentation night was, a huge thank you to Bethan and Keri for the huge effort they went to in organising it, I was blown away and hope everyone enjoyed themselves,” he told the club’s website.
“Although I believe in a ‘see you soon’ rather than a ‘goodbye’, as a club we had to bid farewell to three fantastic servants.
“Big Rhys has been brilliant for me, both as a player and as a person.
“What can I say about Kev that already hasn’t been said?
“Reliable, committed, loyal, honest, annoying, gentleman. He’s been a fantastic servant to the football club and someone I could trust Pic: Richard Birch week in and week out.
“He’s a well-respected figure around the North Wales domestic football scene and will always be a Cofi legend, and now he’ll have more time now to do his lawn and decorate the house!
“And finally Mike Innes, a guy who I respect greatly.
“He’s been a pivotal part in the management team and was always that extra pair of eyes and ears you need.
“I can totally understand his reasoning for stepping down, the league is very demanding and requires a lot of commitment.”