PENRHYNCOCH boss Gari Lewis will face his old club after the Roosters were paired at home to neighbours Aberystwyth Town in the first round of next season’s Word Cup competition.

The regionalised draw has thrown up the intriguing clash, and Lewis, whose side has been promoted to the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, admits it’s one to look forward to for both clubs when the tie is played in early September.

The two sides are also scheduled to meet in a pre-season friendly match on 29 July, with former Welsh Premier clubs Haverfordwest and Port Talbot also due to visit Cae Baker this summer.

“Playing Aber in the Word Cup is a bit awkward for me, being an ex-player and being involved with their Academy, but it’s a good challenge for the boys to have early in the season, and everyone is looking forward to it,” said Lewis, whose side had a wild card entry into the competition.

“Aberystwyth will be massive favourites, but we did well against Newtown last year, and there is no reason why we cannot acquit ourselves well again.”

Last season, the Roosters knocked out Newtown on penalties in the first round of the Word Cup before losing 2-0 away to Airbus UK Broughton.

Meanwhile Penrhyncoch’s promotion was confirmed at the AGM of the Cymru Alliance at Caersws on Sunday. Ruthin are also stepping up from the Wrexham Area League, whilst Rhayader were relegated, and Cefn Druids will join the Welsh Premier.

“The management team will be discussing our pre-season this week, but one thing that we know is that we need strength in depth,” said Lewis.

“I’m looking for 17, 18 or even 19 first team players, some may not start the season, but we are going to need them all during the whole season as it is a brutal league, and we are going to have to carry a heavier squad.”

Lewis, whose side won the Spar Mid Wales League and Cup double this season, picked up the Manager of the Season award at the league’s AGM at Llanidloes on Monday night."This is one of my proudest moments as a manager," said Lewis."The award should not be awarded just to me, but to my assistants Aneurin Thomas and Bari Morgan, as well as the rest of the backroom staff, and the players, who performed magnificently throughout the season."The Roosters also finished as runners-up in the league’s Fair Play table, behind Carno, with Llanidloes 10th.

Meanwhile Penrhyncooch have been drawn at home to Holywell Town in the first round of next season’s Huws Gray Cymru Alliance Cup.