Swansea City fans could be forgiven for getting a little excited after the recruitment of new loan signing Charlie Patino from Arsenal. The 19-year-old hardly pulled up any trees in terms of results when he was sent out to Blackpool – who were relegated last season – but the devil is in the detail.

Erol Bulut has given his Cardiff City players an early season warning they must stop giving away soft goals. The Bluebirds went through to the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night – and will now face Birmingham City away from home in round two – but they needed a penalty shoot-out to see off Colchester United.

The four Welsh clubs in Football League action last weekend are going to have to get used to a heavier match-day schedule this season. Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham all found their games went well over the 90-minute mark as new guidelines on added time and player behaviour were enforced by officials.

Old met young on Sunday at Cardiff City House of Sport on the first day of Wales Rugby League’s new Invitational Wheelchair Rugby League.

Cian Ashford score four times for Cardiff City U21s as Haverfordwest County were brought down to earth with a bump after their European adventure. The Bluebirds youngsters won 4-0 at County’s Bridge Meadow ground, where the home club played a young inexperienced line-up after manager Tony Pennock had criticised the FAW for scheduling the third round round tie of the Nathaniel MG Cup only three days after their European Conference League match against B36 Torshavn.

Erol Bulut admitted he was left feeling frustrated but not unjustly denied after Cardiff City surrendered a two-goal lead at Leeds United. The Bluebirds manager saw his team open up a shock 2-0 advantage at Elland Road, but the club relegated from the Premier League last season struck back and eventually equalised late into stoppage time to draw 2-2.

Like the fresh paint on the touchline dug-outs, you can almost smell the optimism at football clubs at this time of year. Last season’s problems have been forgotten – almost – new faces have arrived, and most players have that two-weeks-in-Ibiza healthy summer glow.

Tony Pennock insists Haverfordwest County have given themselves an excellent chance of progress in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. Despite the manager feeling all kinds of dirty tricks were played on his Cymru Premier outfit in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie in the Faroe Islands, Pennock believes a 2-1 deficit against B36 Torshavn can be turned around at the Cardiff City Stadium (7.45pm).

Aaron Ramsey insists he is on board the Bulut train and can ride it towards Championship success with Cardiff City this season. The Wales captain has been written off by some after four years of late departures, leaves on the line and occasional derailments since he left Arsenal in 2019.

Tony Pennock insists Haverfordwest County have given themselves an excellent chance of progress in the Europa Conference League after a battling display in the Faroe Islands. Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s last-gasp goal breathed new life into County’s hopes for the Europa Conference League, even though they suffered a 2-1 first leg second qualifying round defeat against B36 Torshavn.

Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock hailed his club’s achievement as “amazing” after they won on a historic night in Europe. County secured a thrilling victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round against KF Shkendija, prevailing in a tense penalty shootout.

Chris Venables may turn 38 next weekend, but Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths is still backing him to be a major goal threat once again this season. Griffiths enticed the former Bala Town skipper to head south to join his side and be a part of their first foray into European competition.