PENRHYNCOCH manager Gari Lewis has backed the club to continue punching above its weight next season.

Despite the loss of long serving goalkeeper Lee Jenkins and striker Nashawn Blake to JD Welsh Premier side Aberystwyth Town during the summer the Roosters head into the Huws Gray Alliance campaign ready to upset the apple cart.

Midfielders Rhydian Davies and Luke Sherbon arrive from Caersws while striker Steffan Davies also returns to Cae Baker.

Meanwhile Lewis has filled the gloves left vacant by Jenkins by bringing highly rated teenager Oliver Fairbrother to the club from Aberystwyth.

With striker Josh Shaw also back from a season out through injury the Roosters go into the new campaign with a strong squad.

“It is a very tough league,” said Lewis. “Our aim at the start of every season is survival and that is our main objective this time around.

“Some big clubs are in the Alliance these days and we are competing with clubs with large budgets.

“Our main aim is to develop our own players and ensure this great club continues to give local lads a chance to play at the highest level.”

Lewis conceded it was a blow to lose Jenkins whose impressive form for the Roosters over a decade finally earned a chance in the JD Welsh Premier.

However Lewis was delighted to bring goalkeeper Fairbrother in the opposite direction having impressed as part of last season’s all conquering Aberystwyth Town under 19s squad.

Lewis also hailed the arrival of Rhydian Davies, Steffan Davies and Sherbon.

“They have all got experience at this level and above and represent great additions to the squad we already had,” said Lewis. “With Josh Shaw also making a welcome returm from injury we can go into the new season with a lot of confidence.”