THE Cymru Premier campaign is back and Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United managers Andy Morrison and Neil Gibson will be keeping a close watch on tonight’s opener between Newtown and Penybont at Latham Park.

League champions Nomads host Newtown on Saturday while Penybont are the visitors to The Essity Stadium.

“I like what Rhys Griffiths has done at Penybont,” said Flint boss Neil Gibson, who has been busy in the last three months bringing in a number of new faces and many familiar to him from his old team Prestatyn Town.

“Penybont are a good side but we can’t wait to start playing again.”

Action in Wales’ top-flight has been on hold since December 22 with Wales’ coronavirus Alert Level 4, but elite status has been reinstated and re-commences this evening in mid-Wales.

And Newtown boss Chris Hughes is looking forward to kicking off the restart.

“Lockdown has been tough,” said Hughes. “We are all having good and bad days and those involved in football are no different.

“We are obviously looking forward to playing again and there is a lot of football to be played in the JD Cymru Premier yet this season.

“However the main thing, as it has always been, is people’s safety.”

Hughes has bolstered his ranks during the prolonged break.

Defender Shane Sutton has returned from AFC Telford, midfielder Alex Fletcher has also returned from Stourbridge and Lufimpa Mwande, a former loanee at Latham Park, has now signed from Shrewsbury Town.

Defender Callum Roberts has joined on loan from Connah’s Quay Nomads and striker Jon Letford has been brought in from Southern Premier League side Rushall Olympic.

Nomads, meanwhile, warmed up for their first league game by winning a friendly match against familiar opponents.

Michael Wilde and Jamie Insall were on target as Nomads beat local rivals Druids 2-0 at The Rock.

Druids, who are 10th in the standings going into Saturday’s home game against Barry Town United, played another friendly against Airbus UK.

But it was another behind closed doors defeat as Druids were beaten 4-0 by the Wingmakers.

Oli Lanceley bagged a first half brace with Adam Davies and George Peers scoring after the interval for Steve O’Shaughnessy’s side.

The New Saints, who continue their title challenge with the visit of Bala Town at the weekend, overcame Stoke City under 23s 3-1 in their latest friendly.

Although the Cymru Premier resumes tonight, the Cymru North and South leagues have not had their elite status reinstated and remain on hold.

The two second-tier leagues had been due to restart in January before the latest lockdown having not begun their campaigns, with only a handful of the first round fixtures of the Welsh League Cup ties played.