GUILSFIELD manager Nathan Leonard has challenged his squad to go unbeaten in January.

Conwy Borough visit Clos Mytton on Saturday with confidence in the home camp high after beating fallen Welsh football giants Bangor City last week to end 2018 on a high.

Leonard has also bolstered with the return of midfielder Aaron Edwards from Huws Gray Alliance rivals Gresford Athletic and loan signing of prospect Aaron Lloyd from JD Welsh Premier champions TNS.

Leonard said: “Aaron Edwards will give us great quality in the final third and provides an experienced voice in the changing room. He’s a great lad, who I know well from his first spell at the club.

“Aaron Lloyd is only 17 but has a bright future and is highly thought of at TNS. I worked with him at TNS U16s last season so I know I’m getting a hard working team player.”

The Guils boss has not ruled out further reinforcements to ensure his squad can climb the table in 2019.

“We showed what we are capable at Bangor,” said Leonard.

“The target now is to go January unbeaten which we can do if we turn up like I know we can. I just wish it was September and not January.

“I may bring in a few players in if they become available which really would push us to the next level.”

Borough arrive having changed their manager last month following a testing start to the season.

Llanrhaeadr also head into 2019 with confidence high after victory against Buckley Town last week saw them climb to mid-table ahead of Saturday’s trip to Rhyl.

Manager Marc Griffiths said: “We are looking forward to this one.

“Fixtures like Rhyl away are the ones you look out for when the fixtures are released but I am sure we will be facing a different Rhyl side to the one we beat earlier in the season.

“Back then they were a new group of players but have settled now and are in the type of form which people expect from them. We will go into it with nothing to lose and hoping to give a good account of ourselves.”

Meanwhile Penrhyncoch face a gruelling opening weekend of 2019.

On Saturday the Roosters travel to Porthmadog in the league before embarking on a trip to MMP-NL Mid Wales League One leaders Llanidloes Town in the third round of the Central Wales Cup on Sunday.

Manager Gari Lewis refused to be drawn on the fixture list but conceded two games in 48 hours to start 2019 was far from ideal.

Lewis said: “Porthmadog for me are one of the best footballing teams in the league and they play a fast, quick tempo and on their super playing surface are going to be difficult.”

Penrhyn have struggled for goals this season and not won in the league since September but Lewis backed his squad to revive their season if they found goals.

“Defensively we are OK but if we don’t find a solution to our scoring numbers we are not going to survive in this brutal league.”

Despite missing four players through unavailability Lewis insisted his squad would not be throwing in the towel and with half of the season remaining the former Aberystwyth Town defender backed his side to pull clear.

“It’s not ideal facing Llanidloes on Sunday in the cup,” said Lewis. “It will be a difficult test with them top of their division at the moment and confidence high in their camp but we will give it a go.”