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Aberbargoed Buds FC are feeling good upon their highly anticipated return to the Ardal South East, after forced demotion two seasons ago.

There will be no welcome back party for the Buds, however, as they begin their campaign with a tough derby match against title contenders Trethomas Bluebirds under the lights of Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence on Friday August 4.

With a day to go, Aberbargoed’s new manager, Sean Wharton, spoke to Caerphilly Observer. He said: “We’re feeling really good off the back of a successful season. We see ourselves as the team to beat.

“We were fortunate not to lose many ahead of this season as an attractive club and preseason has gone well. It’s always difficult with people on holiday etc but we’ve trained hard and we feel prepared to return to the big time.”

The Buds won a league-cup double last season after a controversial demotion two seasons ago after fielding two ineligible players.

Wharton continued: “We’ll do our best every game of course, but we don’t have any expectations. We’re mindful that we’ve been in this league before and we’re back where we should be.

“I believe the club is in a better place to succeed this time around; we play good football and we’re here to win.”

Ahead of their derby clash on Friday, Wharton said: “We have nothing to fear. Trethomas knocked on the door last season and we’ll give them the respect they deserve.

“We’re going to give it everything we’ve got but ultimately it’s a long season that wont be decided in the first game.”

It wasn’t the ideal start for the Buds, who lost 2-1 to Pill AFC in the Welsh Cup qualifier last weekend, a side they did battle with on many occasions at the top of the table last season.

“It was just one of those games unfortunately”, said Wharton. “If the game was played for another five minutes we could have won but that’s the way it goes. Fair play to Pill.”