Penybont will look to pile on the pressure on reigning champions The New Saints when they host them at the DragonBet Stadium in week two of the JD Cymru Premier.
Twice last season Rhys Griffiths’ side beat TNS on home soil and a hat-trick triumph would keep their visitors on the bottom of the table.
The 3-0 victory by Briton Ferry Llansawel at Park Hall last weekend gave Welsh football’s top tier tournament a spectacular start, but Griffiths isn’t expecting to receive a weak or vulnerable TNS team as his squad looks to build on their 1-0 victory at Haverfordwest County.
“I thought Briton Ferry were fabulous last week and it was a very interesting result. Nobody was expecting that on the first day of the season,” said Griffiths.
“But we haven’t changed any of our thinking about the league this season and we know that TNS are still going to be the team to beat. It wasn’t a sign of them getting weaker, more the improvements that have been made by Briton Ferry.
“We want to put in another strong challenge this season and as our win at Haverfordwest showed, we keep fighting to the end.”
READ MORE: Buzzing Briton Ferry Keen to Hand Out More Shock Therapy Against Cardiff Met
That win came despite the sending off of star striker James Crole for a second yellow card in the 50th minute when the game was still goalless. He will miss the game against TNS as a result, while new signing Noah Daley is also suspended.
“Last season there were a couple of players we simply couldn’t replace if they were missing, but we’ve built a squad with more quality and depth for this season,” added Griffiths.
“James might be missing, and is normally one of the first names on the teamsheet, but Chris Venables is raring to go and has caused TNS plenty of problems in the past.”
TNS boss Craig Harrison was angry at the way his side conceded some poor goals and let a host of great chances go begging as they fell to first opening-day loss since 2017. Now the task is not to lose again and fall six points behind the early leaders.
Harrison has been integrating a host of summer signings into his team and has seen his side score only one goal in five European and league games to date. They did, however, hammer home seven against lower league Airbus UK Broughton in a Nathaniel MG Cup tie.
“This weekend is a good opportunity for the players to bounce back and right a few wrongs from last weekend,” said Harrison.
“We had 77% possession against Briton Ferry, but if you can’t finish your chances t one end and then give away some sloppy goals at the other, you aren’t going to win. But the beauty of football is you don’t have to wait long to get the chance to put things right.
“We had two difficult games at Penybont last season and we know they have strengthened in the summer. The club has really progressed in recent years under Rhys.
“We will back ourselves to turn up and approach the game in the right frame of mind. We have been working on scoring more goals in the last few weeks and while that didn’t bear fruit last week, hopefully it will help this time.”
TNS have sent Sion Bradley and Josh Lock out on loan to Caernarfon Town and Jake Canavan to Flint Town United to get more game time. Caernarfon host new boys Llanelli Town this afternoon having picked up a point on the road at Cardiff Met with a 93rd minute equaliser in round one.
Flint welcome Haverfordwest County, while Barry Town United will be hoping to make it two from two when they host newly promoted Colwyn Bay at Jenner Park.
