Robins hit out at Friday fixture list

NEWTOWN Football Club has expressed concern after the JD Welsh Premier scheduled seven of their away fixtures on a Friday night next season.

The Robins open their campaign at Cardiff Metropolitan on Friday, August 10 and face a further six Friday night treks during the first phase of the season.

Newtown travel to Connahs Quay Nomads on September 14, Llanelli on September 28, Bala Town on October 12, Caernarfon Town on October 19, Cefn Druids on November 2 and TNS on January 4.

Remarkably the Mid Wales club has only been scheduled to play three times away on a Saturday during the entire first phase with trips to Llandudno on August 25, Carmarthen Town on September 8 and Barry Town United on October 6.

Club chairman Howard Ellis was left far from impressed by the first phase fixtures.

“There are two issues in this really,” said Ellis. “One is concerning the players who are not professional or full time and all have day jobs. It is not always easy to get time off on a Friday to leave early.

“It also affects the supporters who want to travel to away games.

“Our first away game is in Cardiff which is over two hours from Newtown and over three and a half from North Wales.

“We fully understand that some clubs like the Friday night home games as it helps their gate revenues but for one club to be given seven away fixtures on a Friday night is a bit much.”

League secretary Gwyn Derfel was contacted for comment but failed to respond.

Meanwhile Newtown have stepped up their pre-season with midfielder Tom Goodwin and striker Ethan Jones the latest to commit for the new campaign.

Newtown open their pre-season campaign with MMP-NLloyd MWL One side Llanfair United visiting Latham Park tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm.