Sam Johnson scored a hat-trick as Newport City stormed to a 4-1 victory over Llanelli Town at Stebonheath on the opening night of the Novira Cymru South season.
Both sides made a fast start as Johnson fired home into the bottom corner after a deflection fell kindly for him to give Newport the lead, but Llanelli were level just three minutes later through returning veteran Lee Bevan.
Johnson quickly restored Newport lead in the 19th minute with a composed finish from Kian Bodenham’s low cross before the forward completed his first half hat-trick against his former club with a powerful strike across goal.
Youngster Eduardo Bregua capped off an emphatic performance from the visitors on the hour mark as he rounded Joe Massaro and tapped home to give Robbie Willmott the perfect start to life as Steelmen manager.
Newly-promoted Pure Swansea began their Novira Cymru South campaign with a stunning 3-0 victory over Llantwit Major at the UWL Stadium on Saturday.
Summer signing Brad Gibbings capitalised on a defensive mistake from Major to put the Swans ahead on the stroke of half time. Youngsters Casey Coughlin and Mason Kelly then found the net in the second half on their league debuts to wrap up a convincing display from Jack Midwinter’s side.
Pontardawe Town also announced their return to the second tier in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 win over fellow newly-promoted side Caerphilly Athletic at Parc Ynysderw on Saturday.
Liam Samuel opened the scoring for Pontardawe after just three minutes played to give the hosts a dream start before 16-year-old Jesse Meacock had a moment to savour by doubling the advantage eight minutes into the second half.
Caerphilly’s afternoon worsened as Tom Walbeoff’s own goal made it three for Ponty, who have now won their last nine consecutive home matches in all competitions.
Lewis Reed’s dramatic late strike gave 10-man Carmarthen Town a thrilling 4-3 victory over Novira Cymru South title favourites Caerau Ely at the LHP Stadium on Saturday.
Caerau had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the first half stoppage-time as Rhys Jenkins committed a foul inside the area, which resulted in a straight red card for the Carmarthen defender and a penalty for the visitors. However, veteran goalkeeper Lee Idzi used all his experience to deny Dan Griffiths from 12 yards.
Penalties haunted Caerau once again as Liam Thomas converted his spot-kick to put Carmarthen ahead four minutes into the second half. Trystan Jones headed home from Sam Parsons’ cross and Thomas bagged his second of the afternoon with a cool finish one-on-one with Harry Irving to put the Old Gold three goals to the good.
Caerau remarkably fought back and eventually made their numerical advantage count as goals from Liam Bishop and Vaughn Fowler reduced the deficit before Griffiths made amends for his missed penalty by equalising in the 88th minute.
Despite the Young Guns’ incredible comeback, they would go home empty handed as Reed scored just two minutes later to give new Carmarthen manager Rhodri Thomas a winning start.
Aberystwyth Town showcased their summer recruitment as four new signings scored in their 5-2 victory away to Afan Lido on Saturday.
Lido found the breakthrough inside just seven minutes as Cameron Keetch found the net with a looping header, but Aberystwyth went into the break level thanks to Dan Owen’s sublime strike into the top corner.
The Seasiders took firm control of the game in the second half and completed the turnaround on the hour mark as the ball fell kindly to Aaron Williams, who scored from close range. Owen turned provider midway through the second half to set up Aber captain Liam Walsh, whose header established a two-goal cushion.
Substitute Rhys Hughes added his name to the scoresheet moments later with a composed finish into the bottom corner. Jack Pascoe headed in from Rio Dyer’s cross to give Lido a glimmer of hope, but Aber had the last say and ensured they took home all three points as teenager Leo Thompson curled his free-kick into the top corner, leaving Aaron Jones hardly any chance of the save.
Jack Jones’ terrific free-kick proved decisive as Pontypridd United picked up a 3-2 victory over Treowen Stars at Bush Park on Saturday.
Liam Angel and Ethan Edwards seemed to have Ponty in a commanding position at the break, but two goals within the space of 14 minutes after the restart from Tom Hillman brought the Stars back on level terms.
Momentum was fully with the Stars after Hillman’s equaliser, but a moment of magic from Jones settled the contest as the Ponty forward rifled his free-kick into the net.
Novira Cymru South
Ynyshir Albions edged past Cardiff Draconians with a dramatic 1-0 win at the Ynyshir Oval on Saturday.
The decisive moment in the Rhondda arrived in the ninth minute of added time through Joseff Haig, who has now scored three of his last six goals against the Dracs. Ynyshir are also unbeaten in their last five league matches on home turf.
Nothing could separate Trethomas Bluebirds and Baglan Dragons in a goalless draw at the CCB Centre on Friday.
The Bluebirds had a glorious chance to take an early lead, but Jonathan Hood was unable to convert from the penalty spot. Neither side could find the net by full time, meaning the points were shared.
Weekend results in full:
Llanelli Town 1-4 Newport City
Trethomas Bluebirds 0-0 Baglan Dragons
Afan Lido 2-5 Aberystwyth Town
Carmarthen Town 4-3 Caerau Ely
Llantwit Major 0-3 Pure Swansea
Pontardawe Town 3-0 Caerphilly Athletic
Treowen Stars 2-3 Pontypridd United
Ynyshir Albions 1-0 Cardiff Draconians
