STEVE DALE insists Wrexham are in a better place compared to 12 months ago.

The Reds are participating in their second season back in the Adran Premier League and next up is Sunday’s showdown at newly-promoted Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Tough starts are a feature for Wrexham to open their seasons, with last Sunday’s contest being a 2-0 defeat at the hands of defending champions Cardiff City at The Rock.

Last season, the then newly-promoted Reds had to tackle multiple champions Swansea City and Wrexham performed superbly in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Manager Dale told the club’s YouTube channel: “I think against Swansea, you know, we were dead on our feet after 60 minutes.

“So, we’re a lot fitter, we’re a lot stronger and you’ve only got to look at the way that... we’ve played (against Cardiff) as well.

“We’re one year on in terms of experience wise in this division, but I think we all know that if you don’t take your chances and you don’t punish teams, teams are likely to punish you.

“So, it’s really important that we continue to build on what we’ve done.

“We’ve got a big week coming up in terms of training and, yeah, if we can get what we want out of the performances - meaning a result - then that’s the main thing.

“But we’re in a much better place than what we were 12 months ago.”

Briton Ferry, beaten 1-0 by Wrexham in their promotion play-off in the spring of 2023, opened their campaign in stunning fashion with a 4-0 thrashing of Aberystwyth Town.

“It’s huge and credit Briton Ferry will be in good spirits, you know,” added Dale. “They’ve got a good result away from home.

“It’s important that if we can sort of work on what we’ve done well, tidy up things that we need to improve on, then if we can perform as we have... then we’ll have a good chance.”

Other fixtures: Cardiff City v Cardiff Met; Swansea v Barry; The New Saints v Aberystwyth.

It’s the qualifying round of the Welsh Cup and there are away days in store for Adran North duo Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United.

Nomads take on Llanfair United and Flint have been paired with Llangefni Town. Airbus play host to Caernarfon Town and Northop Hall travel to Llanystumdwy.

Jordan Parry’s Connah’s Quay have just been dealing in knockout encounters so far this season.

They have achieved two wins from two matches in the Adran Trophy, while last week’s scheduled Adran North opener at Y Felinheli was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Nomads’ longest-serving player Emily Luke is enjoying the start to the season and she told the club’s website: “It has been a pleasure to see how far we have come as not only a team on the pitch, but as a club overall. I believe the women’s section is now thriving and I believe myself to be a very loyal player.”

Other northern section ties: Denbigh v Pwllheli; NFA v Berriew; Bangor v Llandudno; Amlwch v Rhyl 1879; Kinmel Bay v Y Felinheli.

Tonight marks the start of the Adran U19s’ North League campaign. Defending champions Connah’s Quay Nomads travel to The New Saints and Newtown host Wrexham.