ABERYSTWYTH Town boss Gavin Allen is looking for his side to hit the ground running when they kick-off their new Cymru Premier campaign behind closed doors at Park Avenue this weekend.

Allen has built a youthful 18-man squad with local talent being complemented by players from further afield, and he says he is looking for his players to show ambition in their opener against Cardiff Metropolitan University on Saturday.

The following Tuesday, 15 September, will see them travel to take on Penybont, before the Seasiders then host Flint Town United on Friday, 18 September, and then travel to Newtown on 25 September.

Allen could take plenty of encouragement from their 2-0 friendly win over Market Drayton at Park Avenue last weekend, courtesy of two goals from Steff Davies, which followed the 2-1 defeat to Haverfordwest County.

“I thought in the first half we were excellent value for money, we kept the ball well, the tempo was correct, and there was some great running off the ball,” Allen told the Club's media team.

“There were loads of positives, we scored two goals, and to be honest it should have been a lot more, but overall I’m happy with that.

“Obviously our preparation hasn’t been perfect because of Covid, we’d have usually played more a lot more pre-season games, but we’re not the only ones, and overall the boys look sharp.”

He added: “We’ve got a lot of games in the first 20 days, and there’s going to be injuries and suspensions, so it’s always going to be a struggle. We could have done with a couple more weeks, and a few more games, but at least we got to play today.

“We’ll train on Monday and Wednesday, and we’ll have a Zoom call on Friday to work on the specifics, and then it’s a case of roll on Saturday.

“Everybody’s goal is to get into the top six, it’s as simple as that, but it’s vital that we get a good start in our first four fixtures, before the game against Connah’s Quay.

“With a young squad, it’s all about confidence. At times we’ve looked very good, and hopefully we can build on that and can make progress.”

Allen’s latest signing is Gwion Owen, who has joined from Ruthin Town after a successful trial period.

The 25-year-old midfielder, from Llannefydd, near Denbigh, reunites with former teammate Ilan Hughes, having been Ruthin’s Player’s Player of the Year last season.

“I’m very pleased to secure Gwion’s signature for this season,” said Allen. “He’s a versatile and very energetic player, who I have watched for many seasons as a prospect for the Cymru Premier.

“He has had a promising pre-season with us so far, and I’m sure that he will relish the competitiveness of playing at this higher level.”

Aberystwyth’s other new signings this summer include Steve Hewitt (Hume City); Owain Jones (Merthyr); Jamie Veale (Merthyr); Rhys Davies (Hereford United); Sam Barnes (Widnes); Harri Rowe (Haverfordwest); Jack Rimmer (Penrhyncoch); Jon Evans (Penrhyncoch); Steffan Davies (Penrhyncoch) and George Harry (Newtown).

Meanwhile the Seasiders have also confirmed the departures of Luke Boundford, David Thompson, Pavel Vieira, Edmilson Vaz, Paulo Mendes and Aaron Pomeyie from last season’s squad.