The JD Cymru Premier League is up and running again, with the likes of The New Saints and Haverfordwest County shifting their focus back to domestic football after their European summer adventures. The New Saints are huge title favourites, but who will be the league’s leading goalscorer? Ian Mitchelmore assesses the contenders.
Let’s not beat around the bush, here.
One man is the clear favourite for this award.
Declan McManus has been a goal-machine since joining The New Saints from Dunfermline Athletic for £60,000 two years ago.
The Scot has topped the scoring charts domestically in each of his two campaigns at Park Hall to date, and while their latest European venture was ultimately underwhelming, McManus can take pride from the fact he netted three of the Saints’ four goals across their ties against Hacken and Swift Hesperange.
He is undoubtedly the man to beat when it comes to topping the scoring charts, and he wasted no time in stamping his authority on proceedings this term, netting twice on the opening day.
But it’s fair to say McManus has plenty of competition for the season ahead.
Jason Oswell needed just 12 minutes to score on his return to competitive action with Newtown.
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The striker returned to Latham Park from Telford United in the summer, netting the opener in his side’s 1-1 draw with Guilsfield in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup, a tie that ended with Newtown losing on penalties.
Oswell was one of the league’s most lethal marksmen in his first spell with the Robins, and, at 30 years of age, the deadly forward has plenty left in the tank to continue to terrorise defences.
His forward partner Aaron Williams is another man who will expect to contribute massively in front of goal this term.
Indeed, Chris Hughes will be licking his lips at the prospect of having such prolific goalscorers in his ranks as Newtown eye a spot in Europe after suffering spot-kick heartache against Haverfordwest County in last season’s play-off final.
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The Bluebirds themselves will look to build on what has been a remarkable 12 months for the club.
Jordan Davies’ exit comes as a major blow to Tony Pennock’s side, although the forward could be one to watch as Connah’s Quay look to push TNS at the top end of the Cymru Premier table.
A man who netted 15 times last season can certainly bring plenty to the Nomads’ attack while he needed just 35 minutes to open his account for this season, albeit in a hefty loss to TNS.
It will be fascinating to watch his progress under Neil Gibson.
Pontypridd United’s Ben Ahmun impressed in pre-season, having enjoyed a fine campaign last time out following the Dragons’ promotion from the Cymru South and is already up and running this time around having scored in a 4-1 win at Llanelli Town in the cup.
Given the club’s recruitment, bringing in the likes of Corey Shephard, Keston Davies and Owen Pritchard, Ahmun will feel full of confidence when it comes to replicating – or even bettering – his efforts from the 2022-23 season.
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We couldn’t possibly discuss Cymru Premier goals without giving Chris Venables a strong mention.
The league veteran is now with Penybont and wasted no time in proving he is still fully capable of delivering the goods at the age of 38.
Venables – a Golden Boot winner on five occasions – bagged on debut against Santa Coloma in Europa Conference League qualifying while also notching twice in a 6-4 cup defeat to Afan Lido. His contributions will be quite simply massive for Bont.
Adam Davies looks to be a fine addition for Caernarfon Town, and the former Airbus UK striker is another to net in the cup – against Porthmadog – for his new club.
Then, there are the usual suspects such as Adrian Cieslewicz and Jordan Williams.
But we have to go all the way back to the beginning here.
It’s an obvious choice, but it’s also a sensible and logical selection.
McManus appears destined to take the top scorer award for the third year running.
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