Last season's champions Prestatyn Town have left for pastures new leaving the way for the likes of Bala Town and Glantraeth to emerge as early season candidates to make an impression.

I have a strong hunch it will be a close run thing as Flint Town United, Ruthin Town, Buckley, Penrhyncoch and Mynydd Isa have all had good pre-seasons and have all strengthened their squads considerably.

The league itself kicks off tonight with an encounter at Lakeland between Bala Town and Mynydd Isa.

Both sides are likely to set the highest of standards and the pressure will be on Bala to deliver the goods. Bala boss Colin Caton has worked hard during the summer months to add to his set up and most would argue that after finishing runners up two years on the bounce, they will start as favourites for promotion.

Caton has drafted in several new signings including Dave Cunnah (ex-Welshpool), Gary Penlington (Lex X1), Leon Bimpson (Cammell Lairds), Osian Jones (Newi Cefn Druids), Gethin Edwards (Corwen) and Sam Crompton (Llandyrnog).

In the opposite corner, Gareth Thomas has worked hard to improve things at Isa and he has been able to add goalkeeper Ben Jones from Castell Alun Colts, defender Ian Pierce from LEX XI, Joe Desormeaux has been snapped up from Upton AAA's and Phil Coffin and Craig Goodwin will also prove to be valuable additions.

New boys Mold Alex will know after tomorrow how they are likely to fare as visitors Penrhyncoch have gone through a significant rebuilding phase. Goalkeeper James Collins has been brought in from West Kirby, and Brett Jones and David Gleaves from Mynydd Isa.

Manager Danny Seamarks added: "I hope to bring in one or two more before the deadline but I'm already very pleased with the squad I've got".

Many would argue that the Denbigh Town clash with Glantraeth is the pick of the bunch tomorrow. Denbigh chief Tim Dyer is hoping to give debuts to Tom Matischok, Chris Williams, who has moved across from Llandyrnog, Kevin Leech, ex-Rhyl pair Matt Harrison and Gareth Walsh and Gareth Martin who was at Ruthin.

Paul Davies has been working hard to strengthen his Flint Town United line up and he will be looking to get three points on the board at the expense of Llanfair PG. New additions include goalkeeper Adam McGee who has returned from Gap QP, and central defender Mike Parry who has been at Caersws and was at Llangefni when they won the league 15 months ago.

They have snapped up Carl Hodges from Castrol, a powerful player who gets forward with great purpose, and midfielders Chris Hogg and Leighton Griffith from Llandudno, who are both skilful players who like to get the ball down and play football.

Davis added: "In 17-year-old midfielder Jack Abram I think we may have a real top player on our hands. His performances in pre-season have been eye-catching and although only 17 he possesses everything a top midfielder needs.

"Looking forward to the season, every teams seems to have strengthened in the summer and it looks like the league will be more competitive than ever, but we believe with the squad we have assembled we will be pushing again for promotion and good runs in all the cup competitions."

Guilsfield have asked Mike Barton to return as manager and he will be relishing the chance to get off the mark against Buckley Town.

On the other hand, I fancy Buckley to be real dark horses with manager Simon Sedgwick leaving no stone unturned to strengthen his squad and amongst the new faces pencilled in are Adam Langton, John Downridge and Jamie Rogers from the West Cheshire scene, Ray Jones and Joe Garner from Lex X1, and Shaun Jones and Sean Dodd from Brymbo.

Adrian Moody (Rhyl), Mark Roberts (Llandyrnog), Adam Renshaw (Flint Town Utd), Sam Grimster and Ryan Butcher (Hawarden) are further new additions.

LEX XI tackle visitng Holyhead under new stewardship after joint managers Nigel Beaumont and Dickie Williams stepped down in July and taking over is Colin Parry who has an impressive record at Welsh National League level with back to back Premier Division titles with Brymbo.

With the exception of Shaun Jones and Sean Dodd, all players have followed him to LEX and a big bonus is the addition of three quality players in Ian Oliver Davies and Paul Griffiths from Cefn United, and Gareth Rhys Roberts who played for Gap Queens Park last season and also turned out for Newi Cefn Druids in the Welsh Premier League.

Llandudno will have their work cut out when they play Ruthin Town who have one of the league's most experienced managers in Adie Jones.

There will be at least eight new faces fighting for a place in his starting eleven. He has brought in Kevin Breeze and Ilya Haycock from Queens Park, Elir Edwards has switched from Corwen, Lennox Beddows joins with experience from Ellesmere Port, Simon Hulse has signed from Mynydd Isa and talented teenager Jason Williams has been snapped up from Rhos Alewyd.

Gresford Athletic on this occasion have been left kicking their heels as the odd team out so new manager Sam Ainge will have to wait until next Tuesday to get their season going.

On the playing front he is expected to have at least nine new players on view which best emphasises the effort he has put in close season.
In the only other game, Llandyrnog play host to Llangefni Town who have strong desires to return at the first time of asking.