CWMBRAN Celtic are rebuilding under a new boss in Cymru South – and hope to do so with in-demand striker Alex Bonthron.

Celtic hunt their first success of the season on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Penrhiwceiber Rangers, who have also had a tough start after heading up as Ardal South West champions.

Cwmbran suffered a Nathaniel MG Cup defeat to Trethomas Bluebirds then three league losses against much-fancied Llanelli, Cambrian United and Trefelin.

Nobody will be hitting the panic button but a positive result at Glasbrook Field would ease the nerves in a new era.

Cwmbran have three more games in August and they will hope to head into September with a healthy points tally and Bonthron still on the books.

The forward was Cymru South’s top scorer last season after scoring 30 of his side’s 69 goals and he has struck twice in the current campaign, one in the league and one in the cup.

The 31-year-old joined the club in 2021 after being prolific in the Gwent County League for Wattsville and his exploits earned a move to Merthyr in January 2023.

Celtic lost Lewis Iles to Llanelli in the summer and hope that Bonthron, who also had spells with Croesyceiliog and Abergavenny, stays at Avondale Motor Park Arena.

“We’ve had about five transfer requests in for him this week,” admitted boss Simon Berry. “People have seen our start and are having a pop for him.

“We are hopeful he will stay with us because there was a lot of interest in the summer and he stayed with us. He has been committed to us and we hope that’s still the case.”

With echoes of Newport County AFC in League Two, Celtic have a new boss at the helm after Berry replaced stalwart James Kinsella and he is trying to introduce a different style.

The manager spent seven years at Risca United as player and coach, leading them in Cymru South, and was also previously in charge of Newport Civil Service.

BOSS: Simon Berry was appointed as Cwmbran Celtic manager this summerBOSS: Simon Berry was appointed as Cwmbran Celtic manager this summer (Image: Steve Roberts)

Berry wants to change the style at Cwmbran, who finished ninth last season, but has been around long enough to be pragmatic.

“It’s not the start that anybody wanted and we want to win games but everyone has got to understand that it’s a process for us,” he said.

“My style is different to how Cwmbran Celtic have previously been – they have been direct and back to front whereas my philosophy is to get the ball down and play.

“We are still working through that and I have seen moments when we have been really good, we have to be patient but ultimately it’s about winning games. It’s about finding that happy medium and finding the right blend.

“James Kinsella did a really good job in keeping the club in the league with local boys, because we haven’t got the budget of others.

“My target is to stay in the Cymru South and develop this style; in two years’ time I want to be able to say that I have completely changed the philosophy but it can’t be a dramatic change, it has to be in stages.

“We still will have that directness, which worked, because we need to start winning games and getting points on the board.”

The rest of the Cymru South fixtures take place on Friday night with the Gwent pair of Trethomas Bluebirds and Newport City protecting unbeaten records.

Trethomas are setting the pace after three wins from three and welcome Taff’s Well to CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.

Newport started the campaign with a win against Ammanford but then had to settle for a share of the spoils against Cambrian United and Afan Lido.

The Steelmen travel to Cwrt yr Ala Road in the capital to face a Caerau Ely side who have a win, draw and loss from their three games.

Treowen Stars are the early pace-setters in Ardal South East and welcome Treharris to Newbridge on Saturday while Abertillery Bluebirds will attempt to keep the heat on with a home win against Newport Corinthians.

The Bluebirds, relegated from Cymru South last season, have scored 19 goals in five games and are fresh from an 8-2 hammering of Risca United The Friday action sees Abergavenny host Goytre while Abercarn head to Croeysceiliog.

Cymru South fixtures: Friday - Caerau Ely v Newport City, Cambrian United v Afan Lido, Goytre United v Pontypridd United, Llanelli Town v Carmarthen Town, Trefelin BGC v Llantwit Major, Trethomas Bluebirds v Taff’s Well; Saturday - Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Cwmbran Celtic.

Ardal South East fixtures: Friday - Abergavenny Town v Goytre, Croesyceiliog v Abercarn United; Saturday- Abertillery Bluebirds v Newport Corinthians, Caldicot Town v Canton, Chepstow Town v Risca United, Tredegar Town v Blaenavon Blues, Treowen Stars v Treharris Athletic Western, Undy v Brecon Corries.