JD Welsh Premier League Round-Up: Barry beat eight-man Bala, Llanelli claim first victory and Nomads make statement
Get in there! pic.twitter.com/poMGT7FfhQ
— Connah’s Quay Nomads (@the_nomads) August 19, 2018
Connah’s Quay Nomads made an early-season statement as they beat reigning Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints at Deeside Stadium on Sunday.
A goal from Andy Owens early in the second half gave Andy Morrison’s men the victory over The New Saints, three days removed from their Europa League exit to Danish side FC Midtjylland.
Welsh Premier League action began on Friday, Aberystwyth Town hosted Cardiff Metropolitan University in the live game, whilst Caernarfon Town travelled to Newtown for their second game back in Wales’ top flight.
Met picked up where they left off after their victory over Newtown last week. Top goal scorer from last season Eliot Evans grabbed his second of the season with a left-footed effort just inside the box.
Christian Edwards’ men doubled their lead and Eliot Evans doubled his. A cross wasn’t dealt with and Evans delivered.
Met had time for a third, with a first Welsh Premier League goal for Sam Snaith in just his second appearance. He made the most of a defensive error and took it round stand-in keeper Terry McCormick for Met’s third before the break
Play resumed and just over the hour mark, the Met had a fourth. Chris Baker picked the ball up on halfway and his bobbling shot went past McCormick.
Aber hit a consolation goal in fine fashion two minutes later, with Wes Baynes hitting a powerful strike past Alex Lang.
In the other game of the night, it took until five minutes from the break for the scoring to be opened. Joe Kenton grabbed his second goal in as many games, as he put an effort past the legs of Alex Ramsey.
Their task of keeping their lead was made harder though as Williams was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Jamie Breese.
In stoppage time tough, The Robins broke and Mitchell doubled Chris Hughes’ lead for their first win of the season, over Caernarfon Town.
On Saturday, history was made as Cheryl Foster became the first female referee to take charge of a JD Welsh Premier League game. She officiated a goalless draw at Richmond Park between Carmarthen Town and Llandudno.
Llanelli Town bounced back from their 7-0 hammering to Connah’s Quay Nomads in the perfect manner. They claimed their first win of the season having trailed by two goals at the break to the Cefn Druids. Dean Rittenberg scored his first Druids goal following his summer move before James Davies doubled the Ancients lead.
In the second half, however, James Loveridge grabbed a brace, before Chris Jones scored a stoppage-time penalty to give Andy Hill’s side the victory.
Three points, Happy Sunday everyone 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/L1fOc3KJGg
— Barry Town United (@BarryTownUnited) August 19, 2018
In the last piece of the action in Matchday Two of the JD Welsh Premier League, it was an eventful encounter at Jenner Park Stadium between Barry Town United and Bala Town.
Chris Venables put the Lakesiders in front before Jon Hood equalised for Barry just over the half-hour mark. On the stroke of half-time, Tom Fry opened his Linnets account with a superb free-kick from 22-yards out.
Play resumed and McLaggon had an effort ruled out for offside.
Bala’s task of getting back into the game became a harder task as Sean Smith was sent off. Evan Horwood came on for Danny Gossett to sure up the defence and Bala had their equaliser from Chris Venables, doubling his tally from a Henry Jones free-kick.
Three minutes from time though, Kayne McLaggon restored the home sides lead and in the midst of it all, Horwood was shown a red card for his protests. In stoppage time, scorer of two goals Chris Venables was also shown a red card, reducing Bala to EIGHT men. Barry held on to the victory.
(Featured Image: NCM Media)
