NEWTOWN will resume their JD Cymru Premier season at home to Haverfordwest County on Saturday, January 22.

The number of people who can attend football matches across Wales will rise from 50 to 500 as and from tomorrow (January 15), with full capacity crowds being allowed from Friday, January 21 as the country continues its return to Alert Level 0.

It means fans will be permitted back inside Latham Park for the first time since early December when the FAW’s National League Board took the decision to suspend the Cymru Leagues, Adran Leagues and Ardal Leagues over the festive period due to Welsh Government restrictions placed upon spectator numbers as a result of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Newtown will travel to Bala Town on Friday, January 28 before travelling to Cardiff Met on Saturday, February 12.

A special occasion on Saturday, February 19 will see Newtown host Cardiff Met in the club's 1,000th top flight game - one of only two clubs with unbroken membership of the JD Cymru Premier.

The Robins conclude the first phase of the campaign at home to Connah's Quay Nomads on Saturday, February 26.

The league was set to be suspended until early February after a chairman's meeting saw clubs vote in favour of not playing fixtures until the end of restrictions.

Newtown chairman Howard Ellis had voted to resume the season earlier, even playing behind closed doors, and was disappointed the majority voted against behind closed doors fixtures.

He said: "It looked very positive after the meeting that we would have returned to play behind closed doors this weekend only for two clubs to have had second thoughts and opted to go vote to start in February .

"I along with the players and manager Chris Hughes were disappointed that we couldn’t restart this weekend as we really wanted to keep the momentum going forward.

"I know the fans would have been a bit disappointed at not being able to attend but I think they know it’s for the best interest for the club especially in the position we are in the league."

However the fall in virus cases across Wales has led to the Welsh Government giving the green light for a January resumption with a bumper gate now expected for the visit of Haverfordwest County next week.

Meanwhile Rhayader Town will also return to Ardal South East League action on Saturday with a trip to Panteg.

A club spokesman said: "Common sense has prevailed. Football is nothing without fans. Thankfully due to the fixtures it hadn’t effected us too badly but we will be welcoming everyone to Y Weirglodd with open arms for our next home game."