For a brief moment, the stars aligned and a shock comeback victory looked to be on the cards.
Ultimately, their lengthy numerical disadvantage – with Dion Gibbins red carded in the first-half – proved costly as Cefn Albion were beaten 4-2 by Bangor 1876 in extra-time of the North League play-off final contest between the sides in late May.
Under the guidance of new manager Neil Ashton, the Wrexham-based outfit will have their sights set on top spot in the North East League this time around as they bid to avoid the drama of another play-off.
With the likes of Callum Mannion, Gibbins and Kien Morris in their ranks, Albion can certainly view themselves as promotion contenders once again.
Penrhyncoch will have other ideas, mind.
DragonBet make Cefn Albion 3/1 to win the title
The new big fish in the pond following their relegation from the Cymru North, the Roosters have taken huge strides to ensure they are serious contenders to secure an immediate return to the second tier.
Indeed, the Cae Baker club have added players including Harri Horwood, Jonathan Evans, Dion Phillips and former Swansea City and Cardiff City academy player Christy Gale to their group for the upcoming campaign.
Make no mistake, they mean business after what was a wretched 2022-23 season.
Bow Street‘s run of just one win from their final five league matches last term ultimately proved costly as they missed out on a play-off spot by just three points.
Rhydian Davies was one of the stars for the Magpies last time out, and they have since bolstered their squad, bringing in Caio Carruthers and former player Josh Crowl.
DragonBet make Bow Street 5/1 to win the title.
Avoiding blips will be key, but last year’s experience can only benefit Bow Street in the long run.
At the other end, huge welcomes must go out to Radnor Valley and Barmouth & Dyffryn who both gained promotion into the third tier.
Central Wales League South champions Radnor Valley dropped just seven points en route to winning the title while Barmouth & Dyffryn went up at the expense of Kerry.
The former will certainly be a team to look out for given their dominant campaign last term, winning a terrific double thanks to monumental efforts from Joe Price, Josh Traylor-Hall, Callum Matthews and Tim Office to name a few.
Llanuwchllyn showed plenty of promise from the outset last term but were unable to maintain high levels consistently across the entirety of the campaign.
DragonBet make Barmouth & Dyffryn 33/1 to win the title.
The Village Hall outfit – along with Llanfair United – are sides to keep an eye on, for sure.
Mount Field side United will take huge confidence from their 2-0 victory over league winners Caersws as they bid to build on their strong finish to the previous season.
Llangollen Town did enough to preserve their North East League status in their first season since being promoted from tier four, and the Tower Fields club will now hope to build on their efforts to pull away from the drop zone.
There’s no doubt they can compete with clubs such as Dolgellau Athletic, Penycae, Welshpool Town, Llanrhaeadr, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, and Rhos Aelwyd who were all jostling with each other for mid-table positions throughout the 2022-23 season.
Rhos Aelwyd and Builth Wells were responsible for two of champions Caersws’s three league defeats last term, proving that, on their day, they can be a match for the best at this level.
DragonBet make Welshpool Town 25/1 to win the title.
And finally, you have Llansantffraid, who pipped Abermule to third place in the Central Wales League North on goal difference.
The 2022-23 Challenge Cup winners have added the likes of Oscar Herd, Jay Brownfield, James Clewlow and Alfie Herd to their squad ahead of the new campaign in what once again looks a wide open division, so the race to be in the top half of the 16-team league will certainly be an intriguing one in the upcoming season.
