Welsh football notebook, Thursday 16 June

With the completion of a busy international period, focus is back on the club scene where the season edges ever nearer. Here are this morning’s news and notes on what looks to be another fine, sunny day.

The New Saints will likely have to navigate a difficult path in Europe this summer following the completion of the second round qualifying ties for the UEFA Champions League and Europa Conference League that took place yesterday. (UEFA)

NOTES: Saints will face or Bodo/Glimt (NOR) or KÍ (FRO) if they advance past Linfield in the first qualifying round. On the face of it, the Faroe Islanders would seem the preferred choice given that Bodo/Glimt famously beat eventual Conference League champions Roma last season and reached the competition’s quarter-final. The winner of this second round tie would then be unseeded in the third qualifying round.

Were Saints to lose to Linfield in the first round, the safety net that would allow them to enter the Europa Conference League second round doesn’t seem so safe after all, after it was confirmed they would likely face Swedish heavyweights Malmo.

Motherwell await the winners of Bala Town and Sligo Rovers, whilst Newtown will face Slovakian outfit FC Spartak Trnava if they can overcome HB Torshavn.

Staying with The New Saints, the club have announced their retained list, confirming Dean Ebbe and Louis Robles are amongst those to be moving on. (Official club site)

NOTES: Ebbe is understood to have returned to Ireland while there is no space in the squad for Adam Roscrow, who remains under contract but out of favour.

Roscrow is specifically mentioned in the release as being available for transfer or loan and it would come as no surprise to anyone were he to join another Cymru Premier club before the summer transfer window closes.

Roscrow’s second spell at Cardiff Met never really took off last season, producing five goals in 25 (1) league appearances. He is still only 27, but there’s a sense he has lost his way somewhat since his highly impressive original spell with the Archers. If he can be nurtured into rediscovering his best form, Roscrow easily has the potential to become one of the better strikers in the league again.

Personally, I’d love to see him do just that.

Competitive domestic football will return on Saturday 23rd July it has been confirmed as the FAW confirm start dates for the new season. (Cymru Football)

NOTES: The first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup will officially start the season before Tier 2 commences a week later on Saturday 30th July. The Cymru Premier will kick-off on the weekend of Saturday 13th August.

Cymru Premier fixtures are to be released at 10am on Tuesday 28th June, with an announcement on Tier 2 fixtures 24-hours later.

Following the shock announcement of Nicky Hayen’s departure (this was covered in yesterday’s post), Haverfordwest County have released episode 2 of their ‘You Can Have It All’ behind-the-scenes documentary series. (Official YouTube channel)

NOTES: I must admit, I have not yet watched either of the first two episodes but from the preview clips I have seen, the series should provide a fascinating inside look at a Cymru Premier club and should be a must-watch for anyone associated with a club at this level. I look forward to catching up on both episodes before Episode 3 next week.

Aberystwyth Town have confirmed forward John Owen will remain at the club following talks with recently appointed manager Anthony Williams. (Official club site)

Newtown have been handed a boost with the news that four players have agreed contract extensions with the club. Last season’s top-scorer Aaron Williams, goalkeeper David Jones, Ryan Sears and Rhys Hesden have all agreed to remain at Latham Park for the 2022/23 campaign. (Official club Twitter)

Carmarthen Town have completed the signing of left-back Sam Parson’s from Llanelli Town. (Official club Twitter)