Last season saw two big hitters battle it out for the title and once again things are set to be tight out West.

In anticipation of the new campaign, here we preview a wide-open Ardal North-West.

Promotion Race

With Bangor and Porthmadog now competing in the Novira Cymru North, the league title is up for grabs with a number of sides eyeing up silverware come the end of the season.

Prestatyn Town’s fourth-place finish last term has given them a platform to progress and the Seasiders have recruited well over the summer in a bid to return to the Cymru North after two years away. Tom Hilditch, Ryan Kershaw, Tom Kemp and Zebb Edwards were marquee signings over the summer for Aden Shannon’s side, and they’ll be targeting nothing less than top spot. 

Can Prestatyn look towards promotion?

Llannefydd once again finished brilliantly and were the only side to beat Bangor last season. Chris Morrell has continued to build on a solid foundation at Cae Llan and a top two spot isn’t out of the question. The likes of Llyr Morris signing over the summer will be huge for the Conwy club.

Trearddur Bay’s hugely disappointing season is behind them and with last season’s top scorer Osian Hughes now in their ranks, there’s no surprise that they sit as joint-favourites with Prestatyn for the league. They’ve brought in a number of players including Callum Parry so won’t be short of goals. 

New Kids on the Block

Three sides have earned promotion to the division and will taste Ardal North West football for the first time. Broughton United, Kinmel Bay and Nefyn are all set to begin a historic campaign tonight. 

Broughton excelled in North East Wales, earning promotion along with Queens Park. Kinmel Bay have flirted with promotion for a while and, after success on the North Wales Coast, finally have a chance to compete at this level. Meanwhile, Nefyn were a regular fixture in the old Welsh Alliance before falling into the Gwynedd League. After 12 years outside the top three divisions, they now make their Ardal Leagues debut. 

Nefyn return to the third tier

Dark Horses

Llannefydd have regularly been seen as a dark horse, but now they’re expected to fight at the top end and it’ll be interesting to see how they deal with that pressure. Bethesda have lost three key players to Trearddur Bay making a second strong season a bit more difficult. 

Pwllheli have recruited really well over the last couple of months, as have NFA. Expect both to give it a go this season. Llay Welfare have also made a number of signings and can use 6th last season as a launchpad. Llangefni added a mixture of youth and experience this summer, including the signature of Clive Williams who brings three Welsh Cup and a Cymru Premier title to Cae Bob Parry.

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Need a Boost

Connah’s Quay Town’s reprieve saw them given a lifeline and another shot in the league this season. They’ll need to improve this year as will Felinheli and Mynydd Isa who all narrowly avoided the drop. 

Penmaenmawr were able to claw themselves away from the bottom of the table and with a couple of neat additions over the summer will be looking to push on this term. Llanrwst finished in the top eight last year but the loss of some key personnel, including Callum Parry, will need addressing. 

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Lock Stock’s Tips

Last season Lock Stock went 2/2 on the league winners, and once again we’ll give our far too early to tell predictions.

It’s one of the more open North West campaigns and the top three – according to the bookies – seem about right. Trearddur Bay and Prestatyn are almost impossible to separate and the answer on who wins the title could change by the hour. Right this second, we’re just about edging toward Prestatyn.

Trearddur Bay are looking strong

Llannefydd could well round out the top three but can’t be discounted for disrupting things in the top two. We’re also keeping an eye out for the likes of Llay and NFA.

Opening Day

All 16 sides are in action this evening to get the North West underway. Broughton’s debut in the league has them up against Llannefydd whilst Prestatyn begin their season at home to Felinheli.

Llangefni have the tast of welcoming Trearddur Bay. Nefyn’s first game at this level in over a decade comes against Bethesda whilst Kinmel Bay travel to Connah’s Quay Town.

Elsewhere, NFA take on Llanrwst and Penmaenmawr host Pwllheli.