GUILSFIELD Reserves begin their JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League Honda Division One title defence at home to Llanfair United Reserves on Saturday.

The Honda Division will operate with 10 clubs this season with the Guils once again expected to set the pace.

Bishops Castle Town will also be targeting silverware with Dan Dawson’s side knowing the Welsh border is no obstacle to the Shropshire club’s ambitions for promotion following a pyramid restructure next season.

Castle host Nathan Jones’ Trewern with the Tigers facing a busy opening weekend with Llanrhaeadr Reserves awaiting in Sunday’s Llanfechain Knock Out Final.

Promoted Llanrhaeadr Reserves make the short trip to Llanfyllin Town who will be an unknown quantity this season following wholesale changes at Cae Llwyn.

Elliot Jones, Haydn Lloyd, Joe Harrison, Kieran Kynaston, Sam Thomas and Jacob Motton have all joined from the Guilsfield junior set-up while Jamie Williams, Kevin Davies and Toby Laing arrive from the defunct Llanwddyn.

Maesyrhandir also head into the new season with a virtually new squad with manager Ryan Hawskworth hoping the Newtown club’s return to the Maldwyn Leisure Centre will culminate in end of season silverware.

The Purples travel to promoted Trefonen in their opening game of the season with the Shropshire club.

Manager John Reid said: “We are initially looking to get off to a strong start to the season and believe we can compete with the best sides in the division.”

Llangedwyn host Meifod in the final opening fixture of the weekend with both sides looking to open their campaigns on a high.

The first action of the season pits newly formed Caersws Reserves against Newtown Wanderers in Mitsubishi Division Two on Friday night.

The reformed Bluebirds second string is led by Ryan O’Sullivan who has signed Conrad Galloway, Danny Bird, Luke Davies, Paul Evans and Keegan Bradley as part of the club’s aims to compete this season.

Despite the loss of midfielder Aron James to Llanfair United, the Wanderers remain strong under manager Leon Williams who has brought Kerry duo Sam Jones and Alex Wilson along with Abermule’s Ryan Jones and Maesyrhandir’s Stafford Jones to Trehafren Field.

Spokesman Dafydd Evans said: “Our aim for this season is to win promotion. Next year is our 10th anniversary season and we want it to be our first season in division one.

“After a strong performance last season we were disappointed in our final position.

“We know it will be a competitive season which we relish and we can not set our sights lower than winning this league and promotion.

Elsewhere Welshpool Town Reserves host town rivals Waterloo Rovers while Llanfyllin Town Reserves entertain Four Crosses Reserves on Friday evening.

Llanymynech open their campaign with a trip to Churchstoke Reserves on Saturday with the visitors strengthened by the return if several former players to boost their ranks in Mitsubishi Division Two.

Llanfechain open their campaign at home to Kerry Reserves with newly appointed joint manager Gary Jones joining Russell Edwards at the helm.

This season both divisions will run with 10 clubs following the withdrawal of Abermule Reserves and Llanwddyn Football Club’s decision to fold.

The Vyrnwy club cited a lack of players and failure to develop suitable changing facilities at Wddyn Park behind its decision.