Newly-promoted Newport City announced themselves in the JD Cymru South with a 3-1 comeback win over last season’s third-placed side Ammanford on Friday night.
Lewis Reed put Ammanford ahead from the penalty spot after Adam John had been fouled in the box, but Newport City drew level three minutes before half-time through a looping header from debutant Luke Cooper.
The equaliser sparked the Steelmen into life and it was another summer signing who earned them the three points in the second half – Nat Jarvis scored twice in the space of three minutes to sink Ammanford.
Trethomas Bluebirds were also victorious on their debut in the division as Mark Dunford’s side won 1-0 away at Llantwit Major on Saturday despite two penalty saves from home goalkeeper Jack Lansdown.
Lansdown, who also saved a penalty while playing for Ammanford on the first day of last season, first kept out Leon Thomas’ effort from the spot after 14 minutes.
The game remained a tight contest, but eventually the breakthrough arrived in the final 20 minutes. Lansdown produced another penalty save to deny Gareth Tedstone, but the Bluebirds forward made amends for his miss by firing into the back of the net a minute later to clinch a memorable victory for the newly-promoted side.
Last season’s runners-up Llanelli Town were held to a 1-1 draw away at Taffs Well in their season opener on Friday.
The Reds went in front shortly after the half hour mark thanks to new signing Henry Jones, whose sweet strike from distance beat Shaun Gardiner via the underside of the crossbar.
However, Lee John’s men were pegged back four minutes after the restart as David Lyon came back to haunt his former club with a superb volley to equalise for the Wellmen.
Three first half goals proved to be enough for Pontypridd United to pick up a narrow 3-2 home victory over Afan Lido in their first game back in the JD Cymru South following relegation from the top-flight.
Gavin Allen’s side wasted no time at USW Sports Park and found themselves two goals to the good after just four minutes courtesy of strikes from new signings Dan Griffiths and Liam Eason.
Damon Thomas got Lido on the scoresheet with a tremendous bicycle kick, but Ponty restored their two-goal lead through teenager Josh Stephens on the half hour mark. Travis James headed home Lido’s second with eight minutes remaining, but the hosts held on to claim all three points.
A stoppage-time winner from substitute Leon Rayner saw Goytre United clinch a narrow 2-1 victory over ten-man Carmarthen Town at the LHP Stadium on Saturday.
Goyt’s star forward Keane Watts tucked away an effort to break the deadlock on 28 minutes and things got worse for Carmarthen early in the second half as debutant Tyler Aylward was sent off.
Nonetheless, the Old Gold levelled in the 78th minute through captain Ceri Morgan but they could not hold on for a point as Rayner came off the bench for his Goytre debut on 90 minutes and a minute later slotted home into the bottom corner after a delightful flick from Watts.
Josh Allen made his mark as a Cambrian United player as his debut double helped secure a 3-1 win away at Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday.
Allen, who impressed for Llanelli Town last season, added to Tim Parker’s eighth-minute opener by bagging his brace in a dominant first half display from the visitors.
Tom Meechan’s superb strike from 25 yards got Celtic on the scoresheet in the 87th minute, but it was merely a consolation for Simon Berry’s side.
Trefelin avenged last weekend’s loss to Caerau Ely in the Nathaniel MG Cup by defeating the Young Guns 1-0 at Ynys Park on Friday night.
The decisive moment of the match came two minutes into the second half when the hosts’ new signing Lee Trundle, now 47 years old, found the net with a deft chip from the edge of the area.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers’ debut season in the JD Cymru South began with a 0-0 draw against Baglan Dragons at Glasbrook Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Dragons, who defeated Swansea City on penalties in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, had the best chance of the match through Artiom Legavec, but his header was inches wide of the target.
Weekend results in full:
Newport City 3-1 Ammanford
Pontypridd United 3-2 Afan Lido
Taffs Well 1-1 Llanelli Town
Trefelin 1-0 Caerau Ely
Carmarthen Town 1-2 Goytre United
Cwmbran Celtic 1-3 Cambrian United
Llantwit Major 0-1 Trethomas Bluebirds
Penrhiwceiber Rangers 0-0 Baglan Dragons
