By Oliver Hides

It was somehow fitting that last weekend, as the BBC were celebrating 40 years of Match of the Day, followers of the Welsh Premier League were given a smart reminder of what it was like to be a football supporter in the years of post-war austerity.

At last I know what it was like waiting for the pink 'un to roll off the press.

Sky's pictures of the Welsh Premier League have been difficult to find and without some sort of highlights it's impossible to make any real judgement on any of the opening fixtures.

How good were Caersws in their 5-0 demolition of the Druids? How thrilling were the final 10 minutes of the TNS against Afan Lido encounter?

Well, unless you were there you may never know.

It would be easy to leap on Rhyl's defeat at Haverfordwest as some sort of proof that they won't be the same force until Andy Moran returns from his ban, but that result means less when you bear in mind that the same thing happened on the second weekend of last season when Moran was in the Rhyl side.

Llanelli's 6-0 defeat at Bangor could be taken to indicate a season-long struggle for the Reds, but a seven-hour slog through roadworks on a sweaty bus is hardly the ideal preparation for a football match and so that result, too, must be taken with a pinch of perspective.

More than ever before we have to work to find all the facts, and to apply that perspective, although the website welsh-premier.com is an excellent starting point.

Beyond that, it's down to the local press and the clubs' own websites.

Meetings of TNS and Aberystwyth are always a bit spicy, but this one could be phal strength

With a bit of luck, Welsh football fans won't have to wait too long for their league to return to the television, but in the meantime one of the games of the season kicks off on Friday night.

Meetings of TNS and Aberystwyth are always a bit spicy, but this one could be phal strength as Gary Finley, John Lawless, Marc Lloyd-Williams and co make an early return to Park Avenue following their summer moves to Treflan.

Rhyl's game against Cwmbran on Saturday could be a treat as well.

After a season settling in, Brian Coyne looks ready to push on at the Crows and their opening draw at Caernarfon is another that needs to be considered in the light of a late kick off following the traffic problems at Chirk.

Caernarfon are at home again this weekend, to Port Talbot who were beaten at home by the new-look Aberystwyth last Saturday.

Of course, there's a fresh look about Port Talbot as well following Mark Jones' move to Carmarthen, and the Richmond Park outfit could be the top four turn-up of the season.

Gary Lloyd ought to be an excellent signing, despite his vintage, and he and the rest of what looks to be a quality squad can confirm their credentials against Newtown this weekend.

Elsewhere it's all change at Welshpool as well.

Tomi Morgan seems to be spending wisely, but Bangor will be a big test, while Afan Lido and Porthmadog could both be grateful for any points earned from their fixture come the end of the season.

Llanelli will feel better for their draw at Carmarthen in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday night and we'll learn a little more about them from their result against Connah's Quay, while Haverfordwest ought to win at Caersws if they are serious about challenging for the title.