Haverfordwest County made it two wins from two away games to start the season as Owain Jones’ stoppage time goal earned a 2-1 victory at Caernarfon Town on Saturday.
An intriguing battle remained goalless for the majority but sprung into life in the final 20 minutes. Ben Ahmun, who scored Haverfordwest’s winning goal against Connah’s Quay Nomads on the opening weekend, broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute as he tapped home from Corey Shephard’s pass across goal.
However, Caernarfon were back on level terms two minutes later as when Matty Jones scored his first goal for the club with a powerful low half volley from inside the box.
That looked to have the Cofis a point, but Jones popped up in the 91st minute – just eight minutes after coming off the bench – to turn home Ahmun’s cross and secure all three points for the travelling Bluebirds.
Sion Bradley scored a hat-trick as reigning JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints got their league campaign underway with a 4-1 victory over Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium on Friday night.
Bradley’s first of the match arrived midway through the first half as he sent a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving teenage goalkeeper Jack Flint no chance of the save. The ex-Caernarfon man grabbed another seven minutes later, this time by weaving his way through two defenders and curling home into the far corner.
Ben Clark coolly tucked away a third for Saints on the hour mark after being played in by Jordan Williams’ clever flick, before Bradley completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Isaac Lee.
Jake Phillips’ curled strike got Flint on the scoresheet with four minutes remaining, but it was only a consolation for the hosts the as Saints got their title defence off to a flying start.
Alex Downes scored both goals for Bala Town in their 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Briton Ferry Llansawel on Friday night.
Downes’ tap in from close range after Ferry failed to clear the ball opened the scoring in the 16th minute, before the Lakesiders’ summer signing doubled the lead early in the second half by heading home from Naim Arsan’s fabulous set-piece delivery.
Managerless Connah’s Quay Nomads were held to a 1-1 draw by Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue on Friday night.
Fumpa Mwandwe put the Nomads ahead on 66 minutes with his powerful strike from close range, but the lead did not last long as just 10 minutes later Seasiders winger John Owen picked out the top corner with a stunning volley from just inside the box.
Ryan Reynolds also scored a superb volley as Cardiff Met played out a 1-1 draw with Barry Town United at Cyncoed Campus on Friday.
Reynolds’ effort arrived with just two minutes on the clock as the midfielder latched onto Sam Jones’ pass and beautifully volleyed into the top corner beyond Liam Armstrong.
Met goalkeeper Alex Lang kept his side ahead with a number of strong saves, but Barry eventually found an equaliser in the 54th minute as Sam Snaith met Michael George’s cross and placed his header into the bottom corner.
Keenan Patten thought he had grabbed the winner for Barry with 13 minutes remaining, but he was deemed offside when he headed home from Snaith’s cross.
Penybont and Newtown both impressed in their opening day victories, but nothing could separate the two sides as they played out a goalless draw at the SDM Glass Stadium on Friday night.
The best chance fell to Bont youngster Gabe Kircough, whose audacious volley from distance flew inches wide of the post.
Weekend results in full:
Bala Town 2-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff Met 1-1 Barry Town United
Flint Town United 1-4 The New Saints
Penybont 0-0 Newtown
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Caernarfon Town 1-2 Haverfordwest County
