GUILSFIELD will end their long wait for a return to action at Airbus UK Broughton in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Saturday.

Manager Nathan Leonard admitted the return of football could not come quick enough after 16 months on the sidelines though the villagers will make the trip shorn of five players.

He said: "All of us at the club cannot wait for competitive football to be back.

"The players have waited since February 2020 for this day and it seemed at one point that it would never happen.

"I would like to say since I've been back the players again have shown me what a great bunch they are. Through tough periods, lockdowns, home workouts, 5km runs, one to one sessions, small group sessions in the winter they never once moaned they just got on with it and did everything I asked.

"It's a pleasure to be their manager and I really any wait to see where the season takes us."

The Guils have been bolstered by the arrival of ex-Caersws midfielder Iwan Lewis while Ed Baker joins from Welshpool Town.

The villagers have also strengthened with the arrival of Spencer Parish while their attack has been boosted with the arrival of Jamie Hyne from Haughmond while Iwan Matthews joins from Llanrhaeadr.

However the stand out signing of the summer is Greg Draper with TNS' all-time top scorer starting a new chapter in his career at Clos Mytton

Leonard added: "It's the best squad we have had in my opinion and I cant thank everyone at the club for backing me and trusting me.

"The committee have again been fantastic, they are the unsung hero's, myself and the players will do everything we can to repay their hard work by hopefully giving them great performances on the pitch."

Leonard conceded his side would be underdogs at Broughton on Saturday with five players unavailable.

"The squad will certainly be tested but I think that might be a common theme in the next few months for most teams," said Leonard. "There's no point sulking or being down about it, the players available are more than capable of going to Airbus and winning.

"We thankfully have a bigger squad than usual so I'm hopeful we can cope with players being unavailable during the season, like I said it is what it is."

The Guils will also have to stop former Clos Mytton favourite Adam Davies, now at the Broughton club.

Leonard said: "Airbus will obviously fancy there chances at home, they have made a couple of great signings, have experienced midfielders and its up to them to stop their threats especially Adam Davies upfront who we know lots about, a big threat and it will be improving to keep him quiet.

"We are looking forward to our first competitive game which should be a great game of football."